Welcome Laura and earthgirlie. Somatic psych has got to be a rich area. I'm in internship working with PTSD in veterans, and recognize that there is much that remains unexplored in somatic realm in many modalities of psychotherapy. laura, what population are you serving in your practicum?

Hi Nandi---I was accepted to CIIS's PsyD program for this fall as well, so we will be classmates. See my previous post and my profile for some of my interests!

Looking forward to meeting you!

Blair

Hi, I'm Hilary. I work in the Lifelong Learning program at CIIS. I originally moved to SF to do the Women's Spirituality program at CIIS, but ended up doing most of it at New College of CA. I have an astrology/tarot/shamanism business called Dragon Spirit Healing Arts & Education, doing private readings and teaching classes. I spent 3 years working as a sexuality educator and that work is getting integrated into my other business.

Hey Megan! Keep me posted on how you liked/disliked the BA program. I'm also thinking about doing their BA completion program, I still have some classes to take before I'm eligible (and to save up to move to SF) to apply.

Has anyone else completed the BA program???

I think a lot of people don't know what they will be when they grow up! I am in my mid-30s and about to embark on a new career path! Good luck! :-)

Hi Tribe!

Still have to finish up my BA, but am looking at CIIS for an MA in Integral Counseling, or possibly the Somatic Psych Program.

Also - Saybrook, ITP and the Institute of Imaginal Studies.

Hey Dana:
Any words of wisdom for those of us starting the PsyD program this year? How do you like it so far?

Blair (earthgirlie)

Hi folks,

I'm an MA student in philosophy from the west coast of Canada trying to work, dream, dance my way towards a PsyD at CIIS.

My interests are scattered but generally orbit around using knowledge and educational encounter to nurture full, round, radiant humanity.

I'm struggling a bit to fit my vision and values in to conventional academia and would love to hear from people about their experiences at CIIS.

I'm also trying to sort out finances and would be grateful for any advice current or previous Canadian students might have to offer around loans and work opportunities.

hey - my name is kevin and i'm considering applying to CIIS for sometime in the next year or so. right now i'm mostly interested in the MA in integral counseling psych., but i'm also looking at the philosphy, cosmology, and consciousness program. i agree with harmony that really all the programs sound interesting.

my background is a BS in chemistry from berkeley, and then i spent a year working in a cardiology lab at UCSF. so i have no formal academic background whatsoever in psychology. i've had a regular-ish yoga/meditation/pranayama practice for about seven years, and it's getting more regular all the time. although i lack any formal education in CIIS-related things, i have spent a lot of time on my own reading and researching spirituality, psychology, entheogens, consciousness, philosphy, etc.

at the moment i'm on a six-month jaunt through SE asia and will be back in the bay area sometime in august.

if anyone can give me any advice on how difficult it may be to get into an MA psych program with no real background, i would really appreciate it.

thanks much, and maybe see you around CIIS - kevin

Hi Krista:
I guess it depends on what you hope to do when you're finished with school. The PsyD program is quite expensive and also very challenging as far as the time and motivation required. But I really love it. However, CIIS's program does not include classes in some of the things you reported an interest in (e.g., sandtray, arts, ritual), and there isn't a whole lot of Jungian theory either. There is some existential stuff, but mostly the mainstream basics, such as psychodynamics, humanistic/transpersonal, CBT, ethics, statistics, projective and cognitive testing, neuropsych, diagnosis of psychological problems per the DSM, and basic counseling skills. The difference at CIIS is that most of the PsyD students and faculty have interests and expertise in less mainstream areas of study, particularly Buddhism and mindfulness aspects of therapy.

I like the program a lot and hope to eventually have a private talk therapy practice. My impression is that you have more options and possibly more earning potential with a PsyD compared with other degrees, but I'm not sure how a PsyD would add to your options in the field of expressive arts therapy. Maybe you could find some therapists in the Bay Area who use expressive arts techniques and ask their opinion about whether adding a PsyD to your load would make sense. (Or if you want to be able to do talk therapy in addition to using expressive arts therapy, then it probably would make sense for you.)

Also, I have heard good things about the PhD depth psychology program at Pacifica if you are really into the Jungian and related areas (www.pacifica.edu).

I hope this helps! Feel free to ask any specific questions if you have some.

Blair

hi. i'll be wrapping up my second and final year in the PCC, MA program. my interests are varied and include subjects like jungian psychology, advaita vedanta, astrology, permaculture & sustainability, dance, writing, and other artistic pursuits.

happy end of the semester!

Hello Everyone!
I've just been accepted to the Somatics program for Fall '07! Very excited indeed. My interest is in creative development along the lifespan. I'm very excited about the program and am looking forward to moving to SF over the summer!
Deborah

Hehe... wouldn't we all like to study this ;-)