Clinical Mental Health Counseling MA Concentration
Transpersonal Contemplative Art-Based Counseling
Naropa’s Transpersonal Contemplative Art-based Counseling integrates transpersonal theory with a clinical approach to counseling. This concentration of our Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate degree program helps you—and your future clients—find healing through the transformative power of art.
About this Concentration
The foundation of this concentration program is mindfulness meditation training, studio art, community-based service, and integration of transpersonal theory with clinical approaches to counseling.
Our clinically focused Transpersonal Contemplative Art-based Counseling program exists to prepare art-based counselors in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of The Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education.
Community Engagement
Naropa’s CMHC concentration program in Art-based Counseling is dedicated to developing socially engaged creative arts counselors. Students engage with the community through practicum and internship, offering art-based counseling services in a variety of clinical settings. The Naropa Community Art Studio (NCAS) teaches students how to design, create, and finance a community studio space to serve diverse groups of people.
Social Justice Focus
Being a counselor requires awareness of one’s own social context, and the social context of those we serve. Naropa’s Transpersonal Contemplative Art-based Counseling master’s program requires counselors-in-training to take courses with a social justice and multicultural approach.
Expert Faculty
Naropa’s award-winning Transpersonal Contemplative Art-based Counseling faculty are published authors, accomplished artists, and community innovators with extensive clinical experience.
Quick Facts
- On-Campus Degree
- Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- 67.5 Credit Hours
- 3 Years of Studio Art & Clinical Experience
- 750 - 1,000 Supervised Clinical Hours
- Expert Faculty
- Now Accepting Applications for August 2024
Program Format
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Transpersonal Contemplative Art-based Counseling Concentration is a 3-year on-campus degree.
It consists of specific art-based counseling coursework combined with counseling and contemplative studies training to prepare competent entry-level counselors holistically.
Throughout the program, students also participate in 190 direct art contact hours of studio-based work. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of The Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education.
Course Spotlight
Studio I: Inquiry, Process & Materials
Degree
Requirements
The Transpersonal Contemplative Art-based Counseling Concentration is a 67.5-credit program. Besides completing regular coursework, students are required to complete a Counseling Practicum during their second year, to develop their counseling skills through fieldwork at a community agency with on-site supervision. During their third year, students will complete a 700-hour clinical field placement with on-site supervision.
Transpersonal Contemplative Art-based Counseling
First year, fall (11 credits)
- CMHC 600, Foundations and Orientation of Clinical Mental Health Counseling (3)
- CNSA 600, Orientation Seminar (0)
- CNSA 604, Foundations of Transpersonal Art Therapy in Counseling (3)
- CNST 622, Foundations of Mindfulness (2)
- CNSA 634, History and Theory of Art Therapy (3)
First year, spring (12.5 credits)
- CMHC 603, Counseling and Helping Relationships I (3)
- CMHC 601, Social/Multicultural Foundations (3)
- CNSA 664, Civic Engagement Studio Practicum (0.5)
- CMHC 606, Legal and Ethical Aspects of Counseling (3)
Choose One of the following:
- CNST 670, Transpersonal Counseling (3)
- CNST 673, Jungian Approaches in Counseling (3)
First year, summer (Off, 0 credits)
First year, summer (Off, 0 credits)
Second year, fall (11 credits)
- CMHC 604, Counseling and Helping Relationships II (3)
- CMHC 602, Human Growth and Development (3)
- CMHC 605, Group Counseling (3)
- CNSA 755, Art-based Counseling with Adult Populations (2)
Second year, spring (11 credits)
- CMHC 607, Diagnosis and Treatment Planning (3)
- CMHC 620, Counseling Practicum (3)
- CNSA 624, Studio I: Inquiry, Process & Materials (2)
- CNSA 734, Art-based Counseling with Children & Adolescents (3)
Second year, summer (8 credits)
- CMHC 621, Initial Internship (2)
- CMHC 609, Research & Program Evaluation (3)
- CMHC 608, Assessment (3)
Third year, fall (7 credits)
- CMHC 615, Capstone I (1)
- CMHC 622, Internship I (3)
- CMHC 610, Career Development (3)
Third year, winter (0 credits)
- CMHC 623, Winter Intercession Internship (0)
Third year, spring (7 credits)
- CMHC 624, Internship II (3)
- CMHC 616, Capstone II (1)
- CNSA 834, Studio II: Inquiry, Process & Materials (1)
- CNST 721, Cultivating Mindful Presence (2)
Why Choose Naropa?
CAAHEP Accreditation
Naropa’s Art-based Counseling program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of The Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education.
Agency Network
Naropa has an extensive network of human service agencies where students can carry out their practicum and field placements. In addition to acquiring real work experience and developing their skills, students can connect with professionals and institutions in the field.
Licensure Support
Naropa provides Credentialing and Licensure support to students who want to obtain licensure or credentialing to practice Clinical Mental Health Counseling, even post-graduation.
How this Program Prepares You
Real-life professional experience
Transdisciplinary approach & skill set
Comprehensive & multifaceted program
What You'll Learn
Readiness for a Fulfilling Career
Find your calling as a licensed professional counselor or registered art therapist.
Mindfulness
Develop moment-to-moment awareness for yourself and your future clients.
Community Involvement
Leverage the power of art-based counseling to meet the needs of diverse communities.
Diversity Awareness
Learn a justice-oriented approach to your role as a counselor.
Foundation in Studio Arts
Explore the benefits of art-based counseling in a studio setting.
Career Opportunities for Transpersonal Contemplative Art-Based Counselors
Alumni of this concentration program become art-based counselors and mental health clinicians who treat the whole person through a transpersonal, social justice lens. Build a fulfilling career that weaves your passion for studio art with your desire to help others.
Career opportunities for Transpersonal Contemplative Art-based Counseling graduates include:
- Mental Health Counselor: offer therapy services to improve well-being.
- Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors: aid patients in their recovery.
- Social and Human Service Assistant: aid people and communities in need.
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers: support people in your community.
Hear from a Graduate
Elise Colley
FAQS about the
Transpersonal Contemplative Art-Based Counseling Concentration
What is Transpersonal Contemplative Art-based Counseling?
Transpersonal Contemplative Art-based Counseling has emerged from researched disciplines integrating established models of psychology with valuable understanding from spiritual disciplines and wisdom traditions, using art as a means to express feelings, emotions and thoughts. This transdisciplinary assimilation offers a comprehensive psychology model. The foundation of this concentration program is mindfulness meditation training, studio art, community-based service, and integration of transpersonal theory with clinical approaches to counseling. The program is a concentration of our Clinical Mental Health Counseling MA Degree.
What are the benefits of Transpersonal Contemplative Art-based Counseling?
What is specific to the Transpersonal Contemplative Art-based Counseling program?
What skills do you need to become a Transpersonal Contemplative Art-based Counselor?
Why is the program no longer called Transpersonal Art Therapy?
This name change reflects our continued commitment to Naropa’s contemplative foundations, an ongoing engagement with the transformative power of art and image, and alignment with a core counseling focus, grounding our students with relevant, contemporary skills to creatively support the multiplicity of mental health needs in today’s world. Read more about the name change and redesigned curriculum.
Learn More About the Program
Connect
with your counselor
Olivia Phipps
Graduate Admissions Counselor
Ready to Apply?
Admission Requirements
As an institution founded on the values of academic excellence and contemplative practice, Naropa University values both academic performance and the willingness to carry out introspective work.
Learn more about admission requirements and the application process for this concentration.
Graduate Students
To apply to the Transpersonal Contemplative Art-based Counseling concentration program, students must fulfill prerequisite work requirements in both Studio Art and Psychology.
Applications are submitted online, and applicants must provide a transcript of all undergraduate coursework, a copy of their art portfolio, a statement of interest, a resume, and two letters of interest as part of their online application. They may also apply for financial aid at this stage. If an applicant meets the qualifying criteria, they will be contacted for an interview day.
Learn more about admission requirements.
International Students
Naropa welcomes international students! On top of regular admission requirements, we ask that students with undergraduate degrees from foreign universities provide some additional documentation. Discover admission requirements for international students.
Costs and Financial Aid
Graduate Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarships are a great way to help with the costs of going to school. Naropa University offers an array of scholarship opportunities to graduate students. Students may be eligible to receive scholarships through their admissions application, by applying for scholarships, or by being nominated for a scholarship. For more detailed information about the different scholarships available and how to receive them, please review our graduate scholarship page.
