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At SBGI the Clinical Psychology programs prepare students to incorporate evidence-based principles in the care of clients, with specializations in the disciplines of Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology or Somatic Psychology. MA and PhD Study Options
The following description applies to all programs in Clinical Psychology. Guiding Perspective and Principles Today, an urgent demand exists for professionals equipped to evaluate systems, root-causes of problems and to facilitate change. We need professionals who can focus on prevention as well as effective treatments. There is a shortage of experts skilled in holistic interventions that understand the effects of our early beginnings and consider the whole body, soul and self. SBGI programs in clinical psychology are designed to meet these needs. We are committed to training scholar-professionals who have clinical practice as a career goal. Likewise, the programs assist students interested in careers of teaching and/or research. These programs meet and exceed the educational requirements for licensure in California as a Marriage and Family Therapist. The goal of the MA and Ph.D. Programs in Clinical Psychology is to prepare graduate students to bring their unique gifts into a community of therapists and scholars that will effectively assist children, adolescents, adults and families toward healthy living. Students engage in courses from a multidisciplinary approach integrating theory, research and practice within traditional and leading edge areas of psychology. Students choose a specialization in one of two emerging disciplines: Somatic psychology or prenatal and perinatal psychology. (See Program Descriptions that follow.) The clinical psychology programs have synergistic education as their foundation. This philosophy and model integrates personal and professional experience with academic knowledge and research. Synergistic education incorporates multiple ways of knowing, learning, and healing and the unique contribution of every participant interacting together to create a nurturing, supportive and intellectually stimulating educational community SBGI gathers a community of highly talented faculty–leaders in their fields–and mature adult learners who work together to bring scientific rigor and the latest theoretical knowledge to the practice of clinical psychology. The excellent faculty, individual support and comprehensive academic programs ensure the quality of education and mentoring necessary to produce outstanding graduates. Competence in clinical practice demands much more than a group of courses. It depends upon personal self-awareness and understanding, direct clinical experience with feedback, a deep understanding of human nature, and constant attention to the latest research. The clinical psychology curriculum is designed with this in mind. During the first year, students focus on personal awareness and processes, theoretical foundations and skill building. Innovative courses such as embryology, neurobiology and attachment theory create a foundation for new ways of conceptualizing mental health. In the second year, students begin a clinical traineeship in their home community and apply knowledge and practices from courses such as Treatment of Emotional Trauma and Couple and Family Therapy. Students also participate in individual therapy and other personal and professional development activities. In the third year, doctoral students continue their clinical work and add a solid foundation in research, preparing them for their dissertation. Students must also pass the written comprehensive examination in order to be advanced to doctoral candidacy. This formal evaluation focuses on a student's understanding of the basic theoretical foundations of psychotherapy and integration and application of their area of specialty. |
