Certificate Programs in Holistic Counseling
Master of Arts and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Mental Health: Concentration in Holistic Counseling
The Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists has recognized that the 60 credit Master of Arts and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Mental Health: Concentration in Holistic Counseling meets the academic requirements for licensure as a mental health counselor. These requirements are modeled on a national standard for mental health counseling licensure, making one eligible for licensure in many states.
The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies requires an additional 12 credits beyond the 48 credit Master’s Degree. Six of these credits are earned through an Advanced Internship Seminar and an additional 1,000-hour internship. Two other courses, HLC600: Career Counseling and HLC601: Cross-Cultural Issues in Counseling, complete the 12 credit certificate requirement.
Upon graduation, the Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists requires a candidate for licensure to complete two years (2,000 hours) of relevant counseling experience in the workplace, and to receive 100 hours of clinical supervision by a supervisor approved by the Rhode Island Board before being eligible to sit for the state licensing examination.
Incoming Holistic Counseling students who plan to pursue the certificate are advised to matriculate into the master’s program in the customary manner. Application for the certificate can be submitted at the time of an interview with the Graduate Program Director during the first month of a candidate’s final master’s semester.
Curriculum
Core Curriculum (Eighteen courses/54 Credits)
Area I - Theoretical Foundation of Counseling Theory: Toward Synthesis (9 credits)
The purpose of this area’s required courses is to present an overview of the basic concepts of the counseling program, focusing on integrating concepts relevant to counseling from several areas of research and practice. Each uses a different starting point to connect to the common core of what it means to be a fully functioning human being. Disorders are defined in terms of health rather than health being defined as the absence of disease. The focus is on connection and synthesis.
- HLC504: Introduction to the Foundations of Counseling Theory from a Holistic Perspective (3 credits)
- HLC507: Toward Synthesis: The Body/Mind Connection (3 credits)
- HLC511: Toward Synthesis: Psychological Health and the Search for Meaning, and the Wisdom Traditions (3 credits)
Area II - Assessment and Treatment in Mental Health Counseling (12 credits)
This section is concerned with the application of counseling theory to practice, beginning with a review of the most current counseling modalities, assessment, and treatment planning, and finally focusing on specific treatment modalities and populations. All four required courses in this section focus on diversity as well as common elements. In keeping with the integrative vision of the program, they are designed to dovetail so that although each focuses on a specific area, they might be considered sections of the same course.
- HLC509: Toward Synthesis: On the Level of Mind/Emotions (3 credits)
- HLC513: Systems Theory and Family Therapy (3 credits)
- HLC515: Assessment and Treatment Planning (3 credits)
- HLC532: The Psychology of Group Process (3 credits)
Area III - Human Growth and Development, and Social and Cultural Foundations (12 credits)
Consistent with the program philosophy, this section considers the broad concept of human growth and development as a universal theme in dialogue with the dimensions of cultural, ethnic, gender, and personality differences that contribute to our individual uniqueness. The courses in this section are also designed to encourage students to examine their own assumptions about illness and health, as well as racial, cultural, and gender-based stereotypes.
- HLC508: Developmental Issues in Counseling (3 credits)
- HLC573: Human Relations Laboratory: Dynamics of Human Behavior (3 credits)
- HLC600: Career Counseling (3 credits)
- HLC601: Cross-Cultural Issues in Counseling (3 credits)
Area IV - Evaluation (3 credits)
Because a counseling degree with a holistic concentration requires the reviewing of studies across many disciplines, the ability to read research intelligently and to examine it critically is crucially important. One of the following two courses is required; students are strongly recommended to take this course early in their program of studies.
- HLC500: Research Methods (3 credits)
- HLC553: Evaluation (3 credits)
Area V - Counseling Practicums (6 credits)
Practical elements are included in most courses as part of the philosophy that emphasizes personal involvement and learning by doing. This segment of the program places particular emphasis on acquiring one-to-one counseling skill. Beginning in the classroom with role-plays and close supervision, students embark upon counseling in real-life situations, in preparation for the culmination of their training. Practicum courses also give extensive consideration to ethical and legal issues related to the counseling profession.
- HLC530: Practicum in Counseling I (3 credits)
- HLC531: Practicum in Counseling II (3 credits)
Area VI - Internship (12 credits)
Internship is the culmination of the counselor training program toward which all previous course work has been directed. Two phases comprise the Internship experience. Phase I consists of HLC570 and 571, combining a ten hour weekly field placement with a weekly Seminar. Phase II, during the final year, consists of an extended 1,000 hour field placement during which students receive extensive supervised counseling experience in a variety of clinical settings. During Phase II, they also attend weekly twohour seminars (HLC608 and 609) to review their work and explore transference, counter-transference and ethical issues as they arise.
- HLC570: Internship and Seminar I (3 credits)
- HLC571: Internship and Seminar II (3 credits)
- HLC608: Advanced Internship Seminar I (3 credits)
- HLC609: Advanced Internship Seminar II (3 credits)
Area VII - Electives (6 credits)
Required courses comprise 54 of the 60 credits required for this Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study. A candidate may choose from the following courses to complete the program. Additional courses that meet program requirements may be offered.
- HLC579: Grief Counseling (2 credits)
- HLC582: Transformation through the Expressive and Creative Arts (3 credits)
- HLC584: Movement, Creativity and Consciousness: An Introduction (2 credits)
- HLC585: Crisis Intervention (2 credits)
- HLC586: Consulting with Systems: applied helping skills (3 credits)
Required courses are offered at least once per academic year. Most electives are offered annually, some every other year.
Master of Arts and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Holistic Counseling: Concentration in the Professional Applications of the Expressive and Creative Arts
A 15-credit addendum in the Expressive and Creative Arts can be added to the 48-credit Master of Arts Degree in Holistic Counseling, resulting in a 63credit Master of Arts and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Holistic Counseling: Concentration in the Professional Applications of Expressive and Creative Arts. This program provides students with an opportunity to specialize in the intermodal uses of the expressive and creative arts in psychotherapy, education, medical caregiving and the corporate environment.
To register for any expressive and creative arts elective course requires permission of the Program Coordinator, since they are all prerequisites for the CAGS/CGS program in the Expressive and Creative Arts.
The focus in this advanced studies program is on the integration of the visual arts with dance/movement, sound/music, and expressive writing as a tool for transformation and the evolution of consciousness. While consideration is given to all modalities and how they can be used in holistic counseling as well as a variety of other professional applications, this program is primarily based on the visual arts. Emphasis is given to the theoretical applications of each modality, and the scientific basis that supports the integration of the expressive and creative arts into multiple contexts. The program offers students an opportunity for hands-on personal work. The ability to participate in this experiential work is an essential aspect of the program.
Prerequisites
The prerequisites for the certificate may be fulfilled by taking either of the following three courses: HLC581: Introduction to Expressive Sound; HLC582: Transformation through the Expressive and Creative Arts; and HLC584: Movement, Creativity, and Consciousness: An Introduction, or by completing the three-weekend noncredit educational training program in the Professional Applications of the Expressive and Creative Arts offered by the Expressive Arts Institute.
To register for any expressive and creative arts elective course requires permission of the Program Coordinator, since they are all prerequisites for the CAGS/CGS program in the Expressive and Creative Arts.
If a student falls below a minimum 3.30 (B+) grade point average in any one of the three prerequisite expressive arts courses, he/she will not be allowed to take any further expressive arts courses unless an exception is made by the Program Coordinator on a case-by-case basis.
Students must apply for admission to either the Expressive Arts Institute noncredit program or the CAGS program in the Expressive and Creative Arts through the Program Coordinator.
Admissions Criteria
Students must apply for admission into this CAGS program through the Expressive Arts Program Coordinator. Acceptance is competitive and based on a minimum 3.0 (B) cumulative grade point average on the graduate transcript, whether the degree is completed or partially completed, and at least a 3.30 (B+) grade point average in each prerequisite expressive arts course. Students who have successfully completed the Expressive Art Institute’s noncredit program must have a satisfactory recommendation from each of the expressive arts faculty in that program to be accepted into the CAGS program. Students must also have the ability to fulfill the requirements of the program according to accepted standards of the profession as deemed essential by the faculty.Curriculum
Core Curriculum (19 Courses/57 Credits)
- HLC504: Introduction to the Foundations of Counseling Theory from a Holistic Perspective (3 credits)
- HLC507: Toward Synthesis: The Body/Mind Connection (3 credits)
- HLC508: Developmental Issues in Counseling (3 credits)
- HLC509: Toward Synthesis: On the level of Mind/Emotions (3 credits)
- HLC511: Toward Synthesis: Psychological Health, the Search for Meaning, and the Wisdom Traditions (3 credits)
- HLC513: Systems Theory and Family Therapy (3 credits)
- HLC515: Assessment and Treatment Planning (3 credits)
- HLC530: Practicum in Counseling: Part I (3 credits)
- HLC531: Practicum in Counseling: Part II (3 credits)
- HLC532: The Psychology of Group Process (3 credits)
- HLC553: Evaluation (3 credits)
- HLC570: Internship and Seminar I (3 credits)
- HLC571: Internship and Seminar II (3 credits)
- HLC573: Human Relations Laboratory: Dynamics of Human Behavior (3 credits)
- HLC604: Self Discovery through the Expressive and Creative Arts (3 credits)
- HLC610: An Intermodal Approach to the Expressive and Creative Arts as Transformation (3 credits)
- HLC611: Group Applications of the Expressive and Creative Arts (3 credits)
- HLC613: Introduction to Expressive Writing (3 credits)
- HLC615: Utilizing Expressive Sound/Music and Theater Arts (3 credits)
Electives (6 Credits)
Electives strengthen counselors’ ability to serve specific client populations by fostering personal growth, adding skill depth and opening professional vistas. The number of electives students take depends on their plan of studies and the number of required courses that may have been waived.
- HLC575: Healing (2 credits)
- HLC579: Grief Counseling (2 credits)
- HLC581: Special Topics* (1 or 3 credits)
- HLC582: Transformation through the Expressive and Creative Arts (3 credits)
- HLC583: Practical Applications of the Holistic Counseling Degree (1 credit)
- HLC584: Movement, Creativity and Consciousness: An Introduction (2 credits)
- HLC585: Crisis Intervention (2 credits)
- HLC586: Consulting with Systems (3 credits)
- HLC587: Counseling for Women (3 credits)
- *HLC581: Special Topics are offered periodically throughout the year.
Subjects include: Introduction to Expressive Sound (1 credit)
Required courses are offered at least once per academic year. Most electives are offered annually, some every other year.
Certificate of Graduate Studies in the Professional Applications of the Expressive and Creative Arts
A Certificate of Graduate Studies (CGS) in The Professional Applications of the Expressive and Creative Arts is being offered through the Graduate Program in Holistic Counseling. This program is specifically designed for individuals who do not have a master’s degree in Holistic Counseling from Salve Regina University (or its equivalent), but instead have a master’s degree or bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, counseling, medical caregiving, education, or a related field from another university and would like to learn how to incorporate the expressive and creative arts into their professional work.
The focus in this Certificate of Graduate Studies program is on the integration of the visual arts with dance/movement, sound/music, and expressive writing as a tool for transformation and the evolution of consciousness. While consideration is given to all modalities and how they can be used in holistic counseling as well as a variety of other professional applications, this program is primarily based on the visual arts. Emphasis is given to the theoretical applications of each modality, and the scientific basis that supports the integration of the expressive arts and creative arts into multiple contexts. The program offers students an opportunity for hands-on personal work. The ability to participate in this experiential work is an essential aspect of the program.
Prerequisites
The prerequisites for the certificate may be fulfilled by taking either of the following three courses: HLC581: Introduction to Expressive Sound; HLC582: Transformation through the Expressive and Creative Arts; and HLC584: Movement, Creativity, and Consciousness: An Introduction, or by completing the three-weekend noncredit educational training program in the Professional Applications of the Expressive and Creative Arts offered by the Expressive Arts Institute.
To register for any expressive and creative arts elective course requires permission of the Program Coordinator, since they are all prerequisites for the CAGS/CGS program in the Expressive and Creative Arts.
If a student falls below a minimum 3.30 (B+) grade point average in any one of the three prerequisite expressive arts courses, he/she will not be allowed to take any further expressive arts courses unless an exception is made by the Program Coordinator on a case-by-case basis.
Students must apply for admission to the Expressive Arts Institute noncredit program through the Program Coordinator.
Admissions Criteria
Students must apply for admission into this CGS program through the Graduate Studies Office. Acceptance is competitive and based on a minimum 3.0 (B) cumulative grade point average on the graduate or undergraduate transcript and a minimum 3.30 (B+) grade point average in each prerequisite expressive arts course as it is completed. Students who have successfully completed the Expressive Arts Institute noncredit program in lieu of the three prerequisite courses must have a satisfactory recommendation from each of the expressive arts faculty in that program. Students must also have the ability to fulfill the requirements of the program according to accepted standards of the profession as deemed essential by the expressive arts faculty.
The application process includes an official transcript of the master’s or bachelor’s degree, a transcript of the completed prerequisite courses, or the recommendation of the Program Coordinator and expressive arts faculty if the Expressive Arts Institute is the substitute prerequisite, along with a nonrefundable application fee.
Curriculum (Five Courses/15 Credits)
- HLC604: Self Discovery through the Expressive and Creative Arts (3 credits)
- HLC610: An Intermodal Approach to the Expressive and Creative Arts as Transformation (3 credits)
- HLC611: Group Applications of the Expressive and Creative Arts (3 credits)
- HLC613: Introduction to Expressive Writing (3 credits)
- HLC615: Utilizing Expressive Sound/Music and Theater Arts (3 credits)
The Expressive Arts Institute
The Expressive Arts Institute is part of the Graduate Program in Holistic Counseling and Graduate Extension Studies at Salve Regina University. This three-weekend noncredit professional development program has been designed to provide educators, medical caregivers, therapists and those in related fields with basic training in the expressive and creative arts to facilitate transformation, self-discovery, physical healing, and the evolution of consciousness when working with groups or individuals.
The program will focus on using a multi-modal approach to the expressive and creative arts concentrating specifically on an integration of the visual arts with movement, sound and expressive writing. Class lectures and discussions on the applications of the expressive and creative arts and research supporting its efficacy will be combined with hands-on experiential exercises. The ability to participate in the experiential portion of this work is an essential aspect of the program.
Upon successfully completing all three weekends of the program, students will receive a Certificate of Completion as an Expressive Arts Educational Facilitator. Six continuing education units (C.E.U.s) will be available for those students who wish to receive them.
Acceptance into the program is competitive and requires a formal application, which includes a letter of intent stating how the applicant wishes to utilize the training professionally, along with an explanation of the individual’s qualifications to do so; a professional resume; names and phone numbers of three professional references; a personal telephone interview; and a nonrefundable $100 deposit.
Each application will be reviewed and approved by the members of the Expressive Arts Institute faculty. Along with the minimum requirement of a bachelor’s degree, students must also have the ability to fulfill the requirements of the program according to accepted standards of the profession as deemed essential by the expressive arts faculty.
To earn the Certificate of Completion a student must attend all three weekend sessions consecutively, attend all classes from start to finish, actively participate in and contribute to all aspects of the program, and complete all outside work assignments to the satisfaction of the faculty.
Class times for all three weekends run from 1 pm to 6 pm on Fridays; 9 am to 5:30 pm on Saturdays; and 9 am to 4 pm on Sundays.
