Courses & Requirements

Somatic Counseling: Body Psychotherapy Concentration

MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The Somatic Counseling: Body Psychotherapy concentration draws upon the diverse field of body-centered psychotherapy and trains students to integrate bodywork, movement, and somatic education principles with counseling and psychotherapy skills. Formed alongside modern Western psychotherapy through the work of Reich, Lowen, Pierrakos, Keleman, Perls, Kurtz, Gendlin, and others, it integrates traditional therapeutic practices with attention to sensation and body states, allowing unconscious material to manifest and be worked with using breath, touch, movement, sensation, and imagery. The Somatic: Body Psychotherapy concentration focuses on the classical energy model of body psychotherapy, as well as object relations and self-psychology, the Gestalt-based Moving Cycle, and other modern models of sensorimotor tracking, conscious movement, and relational techniques.

MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

It is possible for a student graduating from the Somatic: Body Psychotherapy concentration to use coursework to fulfill the requirements for the International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association’s (ISMETA) certification as a Registered Somatic Movement Therapist (RSMT) and/or Registered Somatic Movement Educator (RSME).

Degree Requirements

First year, fall

  • CNSS500 Somatic Counseling Orientation Seminar (noncredit)

  • CNSS610 Social and Multicultural Foundations I (1)

  • CNSS621 Body/Movement Observation and Assessment I (2)

  • CNSS631 Counseling & Helping Relationships I: Verbal & Nonverbal Skills (3)

  • CNSS646 Contemplative Practices for Somatic Counseling Contexts I (1)

  • CNSS736 Current Methods and Skills in Psychotherapy (3)

  • CNSB626 Foundations of Body Psychotherapy (3)

SUBTOTAL 13

First year, spring

  • CNSS611  Social and Multicultural Foundations II (2) 

  • CNSS637 Body/Movement Observation and Assessment II (2) 

  • CNSS657 Clinical Neuroscience (3) 

  • CNSS661 Counseling & Helping Relationships II: Verbal & Nonverbal Skills (3) 

  • CNSS751 Group Counseling (3)

SUBTOTAL 13

Second year, fall

  • CNSS605 Advanced Counseling Skills I (2) 

  • CNSS620 Human Growth and Development (3) 

  • CNSS649 Contemplative Practices for Somatic Counseling Contexts II (1) 

  • CNSB716 Specialized Approaches in Body Psychotherapy: Trauma, Resilience, and Change (2) 

  • CNSS710 Research and Program Evaluation (3)

SUBTOTAL 11

Second year, spring

  • CNSS663 Family Systems: Methods of Family Therapy (3)

  • CNSS790 Counseling Practicum (3)

  • CNSS700 Assessment (3)

  • CNSS756 Advanced Counseling Skills II: Diagnosis and Treatment in Clinical Mental Health (3)

SUBTOTAL 12

Second year, summer (optional)

  • CNSG871 Extended Internship I (noncredit)

Third year, fall

  • CNSS801 Professional Counseling Orientation & Ethical Practice (3)

  • CNSS834 Master’s Paper Seminar I (1)

  • CNSB871 Internship Seminar I: Body Psychotherapy (2)

SUBTOTAL 6

Third year, spring

  • CNSS810 Career Development (3)

  • CNSS835 Master’s Paper Seminar II (1)

  • CNSB891 Internship II: Body Psychotherapy (2)

SUBTOTAL 6

Third year, summer (optional)

  • CNSG891 Extended Internship II (noncredit)

Total Credits: 61

Connect

with your counselor

Kelly Watt

Senior Director of Admissions

Search Naropa University

YOU ARE READY.

This is where experiential learning meets academic rigor. Where you challenge your intellect and uncover your potential. Where you discover the work you’re moved to do—then use it to transform our world.

“*” indicates required fields