phd in psychology trauma

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Ph.D. Clinical Psychology with Major Area of Study in Trauma Psychology

Clinical psychology, ph.d., major area of study in trauma psychology.

Program Delivery

Total Credits

101 Credits

About the Program Focus of Study Program Requirements Specialization Track Options Program Coursework Faculty Accreditation & Awards APA Accreditation Diversity Initiatives Graduate Program FAQs How to Apply

About the Program

The program trains students according to the scientist-practitioner model in mental health diagnosis, assessment, and intervention for adults who have experienced traumas, and in basic and applied research on the psychological functioning of adults with a trauma history. Upon completion of the program, students will be prepared to work in a range of settings, including mental health clinics and clinical practices, hospitals, VA’s, colleges and universities, state offices, research institutes, and as consultants to a wide variety of other professional and community providers of services to adults who are trauma survivors.

The deadline for application to the Ph.D. program is November 15.

Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data

Academic Program Professional Licensure Disclosure

Focus of Study

Students will develop foundational skills in the science and practice of clinical psychology with an emphasis on trauma psychology. They will be prepared to provide diverse empirically based assessment and psychotherapeutic services, conduct research, educate, and provide leadership. W e aim to provide foundational knowledge to students seeking scientist-practitioner careers and specialty training in Trauma Psychology.

Program Requirements

Knowledge and skills in clinical psychology and basic scientific psychology are the foundations on which the trauma psychology focus is built. Students in this program are preparing to be clinical psychologists first and foremost, with a focus on trauma psychology as their curricular emphasis. Students entering this program are essentially agreeing to focus their work on trauma psychology rather than sampling the variety of populations and problems that might form the elective offerings in another program.

This program adheres to the scientist-practitioner model of training in clinical psychology, commonly referred to as the Boulder model. Under this model, professional psychologists are trained to be both scientists and practitioners with the goal of enhancing the interplay between science and practice. In an emerging field, such as trauma psychology, it is of utmost importance that practitioners add to the existing knowledge base regarding application strategies that are effective, and that scientists be informed of applied issues in shaping their pursuit of knowledge.

The curriculum will require at least five years of post-baccalaureate work to accomplish requirements of the doctoral degree. Students complete 101 hours of required and elective courses, a comprehensive exam, a dissertation of original scholarship, clinical practica, and a clinical internship (off site). The clinical curriculum requires specific coursework, required for licensure and accreditation, and an off-site internship year. Students who enter the program with a BA or BS degree will earn an MA en route to the doctoral degree through the mechanism of the existing MA program.

Timeline for program completion: Completion of the Clinical Psychology PhD program from the BA or BS starting point will typically take five years of residence on campus with the sixth year allocated for internship (students should expect this time frame as the general rule pending unusual exceptions).

Doctoral students are also advised that this is a 12-month program with clinical Practicum obligations during the summers and some limited Spring pre-term course requirements. Clinical and research work are continuous without regard to the semester structures and students are funded to participate year-round.

Successful completion of an APA-approved (or equivalent) one year (2000 hour) pre-doctoral internship is required for graduation.

This program values and promotes self-awareness as a significant component of training in clinical psychology. Students in this program engage in self-awareness exercises within their courses and practicum training, including assignments that promote growth in awareness of social structures that sustain privilege and oppression. Students are also strongly encouraged to engage in their own psychotherapy during their training.

Clinical Psychology with a Major Area of Focus in Trauma Psychology

Established in 2015, this scientist-practioner model program is designed to train students who have a particular interest in conducting research and working clinically with traumatized individuals in the the area of Clinical Psychology with a Major Area of Focus in Trauma Psychology. This area of study is based on the New Haven Competencies for Trauma Psychology.

Program Coursework

Required Coursework & Model Curriculum

The curriculum will typically take 5 years of residence on campus and a 6th year allocated for an internship. Students complete 101 hours minimum of required and elective courses, a Comprehensive Examination, a thesis and a dissertation of original scholarship, clinical practica, and a 12 month clinical internship (off-site). This number may be higher depending on your individual circumstances. The clinical curriculum is designed to meet Colorado requirements for licensure as well as American Psychological Association accreditation standards. Students who enter the program with a B.A. or B.S. degree will earn an M.A. en route to the doctoral degree through the mechanism of the existing clinical M.A. program.

Charles C. Benight, Ph.D. , Professor, Executive Director of the Lyda Hill Institute of Human Resilience Steven L. Bistricky, Ph.D. , Assistant Professor, Trauma Psychology Heather Littleton, Ph.D. , Associate Professor, Director of Research Operations of the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience Colin T. Mahoney, Ph.D. , Assistant Professor, Trauma Psychology

Accreditation & Awards

The Ph.D. program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association through 2029.

2021 - UCCS Graduate School programs in latest U.S. News & World Report Rankings

#120 in the nation for best graduate Clinical Psychology program

#148 in the nation for best graduate Psychology program

APA Accreditation

The American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (CoA) accredits doctoral programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology, as well as predoctoral internship and postdoctoral residency training programs in accordance with published guidelines and procedures. Since 2007, the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs has been an APA accredited program built on the Boulder Scientist/Practitioner Model.

Graduating from an APA-accredited program provides an educational and scientific foundation on which to build a career in psychology, providing evidence-based clinical service to the public.

Why APA accreditation matters?

Questions related to the program's accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation: Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association 750 1st Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 Phone: (202)336-5979 Email: [email protected] www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

Diversity Initiatives

The Psychology Department fosters inclusion, equity, and diversity of all members of society. 

Graduate Program FAQs

Graduate study has been a part of the UCCS Psychology Department since 1977.  You'll learn from our faculty in an environment designed for learning, research and student success – smaller class sizes than our peer institutions and the ability to connect one-on-one with your professors and supervisors.

How to Apply

Graduate students are those who have already completed a Bachelor's Degree and are pursuing a Master's, Doctoral, Graduate Certificate, or Graduate Non-Degree program. We also accept applications for non-degree seeking graduate students who wish to take courses but aren't planning on completing a degree or certificate program at UCCS. International students interested in UCCS Graduate School programs should also use this application.

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Trauma Emphasis

Put your phd to work with trauma survivors.

Combat veterans. Mass casualty events. Domestic violence. Child abuse. The potential long-term – and immediate – psychological costs of trauma exposure can be catastrophic.

Patients need a fully trauma-informed support team across every healthcare specialty, and the demand for compassionate experts in treating trauma-related psychological issues has always been high.

When you choose an emphasis in Trauma at Palo Alto University, you’ll work alongside researchers, teacher, policy makers, and clinicians to treat patients in crisis and address the growing public health needs.

Trauma Emphasis Objectives

You will receive specialized education and training in evidence-based assessment and treatment approaches in trauma psychology.

Our prerequisites and trauma-specific courses fulfill the didactive education criteria identified in the New Haven Trauma Competencies.

And your education won’t stop after you earn your degree. You will be expected to demonstrate expertise in this specialty in your commitment to lifelong learning at the post-doctoral level.

New Haven Trauma Competencies

The learning objectives of PAU’s Trauma Area of Emphasis are aligned with the New Haven Core Competencies (Cook & Newman, 2014). These competencies broadly include foundational knowledge, a range of functional skills, and professional attitudes.

Specifically, five areas are important to the specialized education and training needed by clinicians who work with trauma survivors:

• Scientific knowledge about trauma
• Psychosocial trauma-related assessment
• Trauma-focused psychosocial intervention
• Trauma-informed professionalism
• Trauma-informed relational and systems

The Trauma Area of Emphasis uses a series of benchmarks to identify and to assess successful attainment of trauma competencies.

Learn More about the New Haven Core Competencies

Risk and Resilience Research Lab Webinar

Course Requirements

Among mental health professionals, the potential long-term psychological costs of exposure to trauma has long been recognized. Adverse consequences have been well documented by researchers who study combat veterans, people who have experienced mass casualty events (e.g., disasters and terrorist attacks), domestic violence, and adult survivors of genocide, sexual assault, childhood abuse, or car accidents.

In response to the growing scientific literature, there is national support for developing a trauma-informed workforce across all healthcare domains, as evidenced by initiatives undertaken by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Joint Commission.

Recent natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and international conflicts have hastened demand for clinicians with competence in assessing and treating trauma survivors. Alongside clinicians, trauma researchers, teachers, and policy makers who possess the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to meet growing public health needs are greatly needed.

The Trauma Area of Emphasis provides students with a theoretical, research, and clinical foundation necessary for developing competency in working with traumatized adults, children, adolescents, and their families.

Core Coursework

You must complete the core coursework required of all clinical students. In addition, you must complete a series of three required courses (9 units) that focus on trauma psychology.

Trauma core coursework must be completed over the course of two years, [2nd and 3rd] or [3rd and 4th] of the PhD program.

Students should plan their schedules carefully as successful completion of the perquisite CBT course are required for enrolling in the advanced courses. 

Prerequisites:

To enroll in the Assessment and Treatment of Trauma courses, you must complete CBT and the Foundations of Clinical Trauma Psychology with a grade at or above an A-.

Child, Adolescent and Family Trauma Specialization

• Foundations of Clinical Trauma Psychology (required prerequisite for the Assessment and Treatment course)
• Assessment and Treatment of Trauma in Children and Adolescents
• Elective PAU course with a child or adolescent trauma component*

Although the focus of assessment of this specialization track is on children and adolescents, it also includes adult family members, such as parents and grandparents, who are integral members of the process and outcome.

Adult Trauma Specialization

• Assessment and Treatment of Trauma in Adults
• Elective PAU course with an adult trauma component

Students who elect to complete both the Child and Adolescent Trauma Specialization and the Adult Trauma Specialization may fulfill the elective requirement (i.e., #3 requirement listed above) by completing a single course (i.e., not two courses – one for each specialization track) if aspects of adult and child/adolescent trauma are addressed at some point during the course. No course approval for the selected elective course is needed from the Director of the Trauma Area of Emphasis.

*  Students can take CBT concurrently with Foundations of Clinical Trauma Psychology course, but not concurrently with the Assessment and Treatment of Trauma courses. CBT and Foundations of Clinical Trauma Psychology are prerequisite courses that need to be completed prior to taking the Assessment and Treatment of Trauma in Children and Assessment and Treatment of Trauma in Adults courses. 

Dr. Brown is a tenured Professor, Director of the Trauma Program, Director of the Risk and Resilience Research Lab at Palo Alto University, and faculty advisor for the Association of Traumatic Stress Studies. Her clinical and research focus is on trauma and resilience, global mental health, aging, and vulnerable populations.

Eligibility

All students may take the Assessment and Treatment trauma courses if the prerequisite courses are completed. No exceptions will be made for waiving CBT prerequisite course. 

Students can elect to complete one or both of the Trauma Area of Emphasis specializations in Child and Adolescent Trauma or in Adult Trauma. 

Students can only report completion of the Trauma Area of Emphasis if they have fulfilled all requirements of one or of both specialization tracks (i.e., required trauma courses, trauma focused practicum, dissertation).

With carefully planning, students can complete both specializations if desired.  

Additional Requirements

To be competitive for obtaining a top tier internship, you will need to demonstrate excellent writing and statistical skills.

You should be actively involved with a research group that is focused on trauma related projects, and strive to publish papers and give presentations on trauma related topics.

Professional Development

You will be expected to actively take part in professional activities. This includes student membership in the American Psychological Association, Division of Trauma Psychology (56) and regular attendance at the Palo Alto University Trauma Journal Club.

Dissertation

Students in the Trauma Area of Emphasis must complete a dissertation that makes a scientific contribution to the field of trauma psychology.

In your 3rd or 4th year, you must complete an official practicum placement (one year of full or supplemental training) in a setting that includes a caseload of patients with PTSD or other trauma-related disorders in which trauma is the primary treatment focus.

Students are required to complete an internship in a setting that includes a caseload of patients with PTSD or other trauma-related disorders in which trauma is the primary focus for at least 33% of the total internship hours.

Completion of the Trauma Area of Emphasis

Successful completion of the Trauma Area of Emphasis at Palo Alto University is only one component in the education and clinical training necessary to become a competent clinician. Further specialty preparation and development is expected at the pre-doctoral and post-doctoral level as part of a commitment to life-long learning in psychology.

Completion of the Trauma Area of Emphasis will be granted following the completion of all coursework requirements, completion or securement of a trauma focused practicum, fulfillment of internship requirements, and approval of the dissertation proposal by the dissertation committee.

Students who have successfully completed the Trauma Area of Emphasis may apply for a certificate of completion by clicking  here .

Asked what advice she would offer students today, Dr. White-Cooper says: "Figure out what you want, be intentional and stay focused on your micro-goals. In addition to schoolwork, get social support outside the classroom. This formula will take you on the path to self-discovery and rewarding career in helping others."

"I found a lot of support available to me during the MS program and during my own transition into the PhD."

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[2024] Accredited Trauma Psychology Degrees – Masters & PhD Programs

Trauma and crises are an unfortunate part of life. Car accidents, riots, shootings, natural disasters, and war are just a few of the usual culprits that can traumatize people. Imagine a tornado or hurricane has ravaged your city.

Even if you have come through unscathed, your friends, family, and coworkers may have lost their homes, their belongings, or even their lives. While depressing to think about, this is a reality that people face each and every day in every corner of the world.

Trauma psychology is a specialization within the field of clinical and counseling psychology. Trauma psychologists work with victims of the situations outlined above to help them cope with their feelings, develop strategies for recovery, and build skills that will help bring about closure.

But before trauma psychologists can work with clients, they must undertake a significant amount of schooling. This schooling begins at the bachelor’s degree level and extends for many psychologists through a doctoral program.

The time spent in school may offer trauma psychology students a valuable opportunity to learn how to become effective psychologists and put their learning into practice, so that upon graduation they are ready to respond well to crisis situations.

What is a Trauma Psychology Degree?

A degree in trauma psychology prepares students to tend to the psychological and emotional needs of people in crisis. Crisis in this sense can mean a variety of things, from experiencing grief after the death of a loved one to surviving a catastrophic event like an earthquake to being the victim of a violent crime.

In any situation in which trauma is involved, trauma psychologists are able to work with individuals on the immediate effects of their trauma, as well as address the long-term ramifications of the traumatic experience.

Trauma Psychology Bachelor’s Degrees

To begin one’s education in trauma psychology, a bachelor’s degree should be obtained. Typical undergraduate programs in psychology include 120 semester credit hours, which takes about four years to complete.

Admission into bachelor’s degree programs can vary widely from one college to the next, but prospective students should expect the following common requirements:

• A GED or high school diploma
• A minimum high school GPA, such as 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Satisfactory scores on the SAT or ACT

Undergraduate programs in trauma psychology do not exist, rather, bachelor’s degree programs are much broader in scope. At this level, students are introduced to central topics in the field of psychology. This might include studies of:

• General Psychology – The foundational course in an undergraduate psychology program, general psychology offers students an introduction to many different aspects of studies in this field. This includes everything from emotional development in childhood to brain-based causes of behavior to the history of psychology as a science.
• Developmental Psychology – Another foundational course is developmental psychology . Coursework in this class revolves around how humans develop and change over time. Students examine the development of language in infancy and early childhood, explore social relationships and their impact on behavior, and examine how cognitive tasks, such as memory, degrade as we age.
• Psychology of Learning – This course helps students better understand how humans learn, retain, and apply new information. Various learning theories are explored, including classical and operant conditioning, behaviorism, constructivism, and social learning theory.
• Psychological Statistics – Because psychology often requires much research, students must learn how to calculate, analyze, and interpret statistical information. Students learn how to determine mean, median, and mode, calculate ANOVAs, find standard deviations, and other descriptive statistics. Inferential statistics are also explored, with students learning how to estimate parameters and testing hypotheses.
• History and Systems of Psychology – This course offers students insight into the development of psychology as a science. Students explore the transition of philosophical thought to the science of psychology. The contributions of major figures such as Sigmund Freud, John Watson, and B.F. Skinner are explored as well. Major psychological theories are also examined, including structuralism, functionalism, Gestalt psychology, and psychoanalysis.

Trauma Psychology Master’s Degrees

Master’s level degree programs in trauma psychology are usually in counseling psychology or clinical psychology, with a specialization in trauma or crisis intervention. Like other master’s degree programs in psychology , those with a focus on trauma psychology can require more than 60 credits of coursework, which represents several years of work to be completed.

Also commonly required is fieldwork in which students utilize their content knowledge and practical skills to work with actual clients that have experienced trauma of some kind.

While the requirements for fieldwork will vary from graduate school to graduate school, students can expect to complete anywhere from 600-1,000 hours of fieldwork under the supervision of an experienced and licensed psychologist.

Another component of master’s in trauma psychology programs that varies from institution to institution are the entrance requirements. In some instances, students need little more than a satisfactory undergraduate GPA.

However, other programs have much more stringent requirements that may include completion of required prerequisites, undergraduate research experience, recommendations from undergraduate professors, a personal statement, a curriculum vitae, or participation in an interview process.

Once admitted to a master’s in trauma psychology program, prospective trauma psychologists will take part in advanced studies in the field. These courses might include :

• Counseling Theory – In this course, students develop a working understanding of various counseling theories and how each is used to help a client overcome their trauma. For example, students might learn how to use cognitive-behavioral therapy to help a client change negative thought patterns in order to change the way they feel.
• Psychopathology and Diagnosis – Coursework in this area centers around building competencies in identifying the cause of psychological stress, properly evaluating clients, and issuing an appropriate diagnosis. In the field of trauma psychology, this might involve evaluating a client for PTSD, diagnosing their condition, and developing an appropriate course of treatment for the disorder.
• Grief and Loss Counseling – This class emphasizes the development of skills that allow a trauma psychologist to understand the processes related to grief and acquire the counseling skills necessary to offer effective treatment to persons that have experienced a loss. Students will learn how to respond appropriately to clients of all ages who are in various stages of grief.
• Crisis Intervention and Treatment Methods – Classes in crisis intervention and treatment methods include a study of evidence-based applications of crisis management theory. Students acquire knowledge of various crisis intervention methods, as well as essential skills that allow them to address a host of crisis-related issues, including domestic violence, school violence, and threat of suicide, to name a few.
• Internship – The graduate internship gives students real-world experience in working in trauma and crisis situations, such as in an emergency room or shelter for abused women. In these settings, students utilize the knowledge and skills they have gained throughout their schooling to provide assistance to traumatized clients. This work is done under strict supervision of a licensed psychologist.

Trauma Psychology PhD Degrees

Students pursuing a PhD in trauma psychology most often complete a program of study in the clinical psychology or counseling psychology realms, with specialized coursework in working with traumatized populations.

Unlike graduate school, in which students take part in extensive coursework, the doctoral level is less about coursework and more about independent research and supervised practice. Nevertheless, there are several courses that are commonly required for a PhD in trauma psychology:

• Assessment of Trauma – Students learn about various instruments they can use to screen their clients and assess their traumatic symptoms. These might include self-report or interview-based instruments like the Brief Trauma Questionnaire, the PTSD Checklist, the UCLA Reaction Index, or the Upsetting Events Survey, to name a few. Various assessment procedures for different populations, such as children or military personnel, would likely be reviewed as well.
• Treatment of Trauma – Coursework on treatments for trauma build on the knowledge and skills students gained at the graduate level and allow them to apply their skills specifically to the treatment of traumatized clients. This might involve learning specific treatments like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which involves patterned eye movements that are thought to allow clients to “unlock” traumatic memories such that they can work through them.
• Research – As mentioned above, the bulk of a doctoral candidate’s time is spent conducting research . This generally includes proposing, carrying out, and reporting on original research on a trauma-related topic. Some doctoral programs will require the work to be published in a journal or presented at a symposium for credit to be earned.
• Dissertation – The doctoral dissertation involves much research as well. Generally, one’s doctoral committee must approve the topic under study, and the topic must be of value and contribute to a better understanding of trauma psychology.
• Practicum/Internship – Doctoral students must participate in extensive practicum and internship experiences specifically in the field of trauma psychology. Like with internships at the graduate level, the purpose of these experiences is to place students in real-world situations such that they can hone their skills working with actual clients and get feedback about their performance from licensed professionals.

What is an Online Trauma Psychology Degree?

Just like an in-person trauma psychology degree, online trauma psychology degree is a specialized program that focuses on understanding, assessing, and treating individuals who have experienced severe psychological distress or traumatic events. This can include experiences such as natural disasters, violent crimes, abuse, war, serious accidents, or personal loss.

Online trauma psychology degrees offer the same rigorous curriculum as traditional in-person programs, but they are delivered online, typically through a combination of live and recorded lectures, online readings, digital discussion forums, and remote assignments. This format offers flexibility and convenience, which can be especially helpful if you are working, have family responsibilities, or live far from a university campus.

What is the Role of a Trauma Psychologist?

A trauma psychologist specializes in understanding, assessing, and treating individuals who have experienced traumatic events. Their role includes :

• Assessment : Conducting evaluations to determine the psychological impact of traumatic events on individuals.
• Therapy : Providing evidence-based therapeutic interventions, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) , Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) , and Prolonged Exposure Therapy , to help individuals process trauma and develop coping strategies.
• Research : Studying the psychological effects of trauma to improve treatment methods and understand post-traumatic responses.
• Education : Training other professionals about trauma-informed care and educating communities about trauma’s effects and resilience-building strategies.
• Consultation : Working with organizations, schools, and other entities to develop trauma-informed policies and practices.
• Advocacy : Promoting awareness of trauma’s effects, pushing for policy changes, and ensuring that trauma survivors have access to appropriate resources and care.
• Crisis Intervention : Offering immediate therapeutic support in the aftermath of traumatic events.

By addressing the emotional and psychological aftermath of traumatic events, trauma psychologists play a crucial role in helping individuals heal and regain control of their lives.

What Can You Do With a Trauma Psychology Degree?

An advanced degree in trauma psychology may open many avenues to employment for psychologists. One of the most popular employment settings for trauma psychologists is private practice. Here, trauma psychologists can specialize in working with a specific group, such as survivors of domestic violence, or they can treat trauma in general.

Some trauma psychologists in private practice make a living responding to natural or man-made disasters, offering their services as part of relief organizations that seek to help people recover from crisis situations.

Another potential career path for a trauma psychologist is to work for the military. With the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder among veterans of the armed services, trauma psychologists have a definite role to play in helping veterans cope with the traumas they have experienced as part of their service to the country.

Military-based employment might mean a trauma psychologist serves overseas, and potentially even in a war zone. Many other trauma psychologists work stateside in veteran’s hospitals.

Mental health centers often employ trauma psychologists as well. While psychologists in this work setting may not focus all their time on treating clients that are traumatized, their training and expertise can be relied upon in the event of a local emergency. This is especially beneficial in less populated regions where trauma psychologists may not be in great number.

Yet another employment option is to work for a government agency. Trauma psychologists may be part of a state’s emergency response team and use their skills to treat survivors of a crisis situation.

Psychologists may also spend a significant portion of their day conducting research into how humans cope with stress, anxiety, fear, and other emotions associated with trauma.

Additionally, they might work to develop intervention programs that promote a return to normal functioning after a crisis situation has passed.

What Degrees are Similar to Trauma Psychology?

Trauma psychology, with its roots in clinical psychology and counseling psychology, has many related areas of study. Among the most closely related fields are:

Clinical Psychology

Clinical psychology is the basis upon which trauma psychology is founded. As that basis, clinical psychology is much broader in scope, with coursework focusing on treating clients with a host of psychological issues, not just those related to trauma.

• Child Psychology

Unfortunately, children are often traumatized and require extensive psychological help to overcome the trauma they have experienced. Like trauma psychology, child psychology is but one form of clinical psychology, in which psychologists employ their knowledge of human behavior to diagnose, assess, and treat psychological disorders.

Marriage and Family Therapy

Degrees in marriage and family therapy share the clinical focus of trauma psychology, but with a greater emphasis on everyday issues that prevent couples and families from functioning at their best. Also similar to trauma psychology is a focus on brief, solution-focused treatments to help clients effectively deal with current issues that negatively impact their psychological wellbeing.

Health and Wellness Psychology

Degrees that focus on health and wellness are intended to shed light on how psychological issues can impact one’s physiological and emotional functioning. The information gleaned from these studies is often used to design preventions and interventions that promote improved overall health.

Mental Health Counseling

Like the other degree options listed above, mental health counseling trains students to provide treatments to people that are coping with psychological or emotional issues. Students in this type of program develop clinical counseling skills to include in the treatments they offer. These programs may also offer a specialization so students can work with a particular group of people, such as children or the elderly.

Related Reading

• How to Become a Grief Counselor
• Counseling Psychologist Career Guide
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Clinical Psychology, Ph.D.

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The Clinical Psychology Doctoral Training Program at Saint Louis University adheres to the scientist-practitioner model of training in clinical psychology.  As part of the Department of Psychology , our students receive strong generalist training and develop extensive skills in research.  Our diverse faculty members offer specialized clinical training opportunities in clinical child psychology, clinical neuropsychology, health psychology, trauma psychology and sports psychology.

U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks Saint Louis University's clinical psychology graduate education program among the top programs in the United States.

Program Highlights

Areas of emphasis, experience or exposure.

Our program’s major area of study is adult clinical psychology. Consistent with the APA taxonomy, you may elect one of the following areas of emphasis, experience or exposure: clinical neuropsychology, clinical child psychology, health psychology, trauma psychology or sports psychology. Students interested in pursuing one of these areas work with their advisor to establish an individualized curriculum and training plan. Relevant research may be conducted in any of these areas.

Clinical Child Psychology (Experience or Exposure)

Elective graduate courses for students interested in clinical child psychology include Child Assessment and Psychopathology, Child Interventions, Couples and Family Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Interventions and Psychopharmacology. External placements involving pediatric, child and adolescent assessment, consultation and intervention are also available.

Clinical Neuropsychology (Emphasis, Experience or Exposure)

Elective graduate courses for students interested in clinical neuropsychology include Fundamentals of Neuropsychology, Neuropsychological Assessment, Memory and Cognition, Physiological Psychology and Psychopharmacology. Supervised clinical experience in neuropsychological assessment, consultation and treatment is offered through external placements.

Health Psychology (Experience or Exposure)

Students interested in health psychology should consider taking courses in clinical health psychology, cognitive behavior interventions, psychopharmacology, sports psychology and addictions: assessment and interventions. Additional courses related to health psychology are offered in SLU's College for Public Health and Social Justice . External placements in the application of psychological services to enhance physical well-being and health are available.

Trauma Psychology (Experience or Exposure)

Students interested in working in the field of trauma are offered elective graduate coursework in the psychology of trauma, cognitive-behavioral interventions and addictions: assessment and interventions. Additional courses related to traumatic stress are offered through SLU's College for Public Health and Social Justice . Supervised clinical training experiences with those who have experienced trauma are offered within the on-campus Psychological Services Center on a trauma-focused team.

Sports Psychology (Experience or Exposure)

Elective graduate courses in sports psychology, health psychology and cognitive-behavioral interventions are offered to students interested in sports and performance psychology. Students work with teams and athletes across the community, including the SLU Department of Athletics, through research, practicum and clinical training opportunities.

Curriculum Overview

The clinical psychology program at Saint Louis University is designed to provide broad and general doctoral education and training in health service psychology. Our faculty members are committed to training and education that evidences the integration of science and practice, that is sequential, cumulative, graded in complexity, designed to prepare students for further organized training and that indicates respect for and understanding of individual and cultural diversity.

Further information about the program can be found in the handbook and student manual.

Program Handbook   Student Manual

Thirty-six credits are required for SLU's master's degree in clinical psychology, including 30 credits of departmental and clinical core coursework and six credits of thesis research. Each student must complete and defend a thesis. Upon completing the master's degree, doctoral students complete an additional 42 credits of coursework and 12 credits of dissertation research.

Ph.D. students conduct a public presentation and oral defense of the dissertation after completing this research project. They must also complete an APA-approved internship in clinical psychology before receiving their doctoral degree.

Students enrolled in the program can also complete a graduate certificate in Public Health .

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Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Training in psychological assessment and intervention for children, adolescents and adults is provided through the on-campus Psychological Services Center.

Advanced clinical training opportunities in neuropsychology, pediatric and clinical child psychology, health psychology and academic psychology are available through collaborative relationships with medical centers, agencies and practitioners in the St. Louis community. Specialized research, clinical and academic opportunities also are available through various fellowships, grants and contracts.

SLU's American Psychological Association-accredited clinical psychology program will train students to be competent and ethical scientist-practitioners in various health care settings. Job possibilities include clinical psychology, clinical health psychology, neuropsychology and child and pediatric psychology positions.

Students in SLU's graduate program in clinical psychology have gained professional experience through internships at Baylor College of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Vanderbilt University VA Medical Center, Rush University Medical Center and the University of Louisville, among others.

Admission Requirements

Most students enter the program with a bachelor's degree and complete both the Master of Science degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in the clinical program.

All applicants apply to the Ph.D. program. Applicants who have earned a Master of Arts or Master of Science degree in psychology may apply for advanced standing upon matriculation into the program.

Students admitted to the program typically have an average undergraduate GPA of 3.7 (on a 4.0 scale). Admitted students usually also have relevant clinical and research experience. Students must have completed a minimum of 21 credits in psychology, including courses in general psychology, abnormal psychology and research and/or statistical methods. Applications must be submitted by December 1.

Application Requirements

• Application form (no fee required)
• Transcript(s)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Personal statement
• Diversity statement

Requirements for International Students

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students. International students must also meet the following additional requirements:

• Demonstrate  English Language Proficiency
• Financial documents are required to complete an application for admission and be reviewed for admission and merit scholarships. 
• A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the student's time at Saint Louis University
• A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of the student's study at the University
• Courses taken and/or lectures attended
• Practical laboratory work
• The maximum and minimum grades attainable
• The grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations
• Any honors or degrees received.

WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Assistantship Application Deadline

Students who want to be considered for an assistantship must submit their application by December 1. All applicants accepted for admission are considered for assistantships. No separate assistantship application is required.

Review Process

Applications are reviewed by a committee of psychology department faculty members.

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

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Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships, Assistantships and Financial Aid

For priority consideration for a graduate assistantship, apply by the program admission deadlines listed. Fellowships and assistantships provide a stipend and may include health insurance and a tuition scholarship for the duration of the award. 

Explore Scholarships and Financial Aid Options

Accreditation

The American Psychological Association has continually accredited Saint Louis University's clinical psychology program since 1965.

Questions related to the program's accreditation status should be directed to the American Psychological Association's Commission on Accreditation:

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association 750 1st Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 Phone: 202-336-5979 http://apa.org/ed/accreditation

Student Admissions, Outcomes and Other Data 

• Graduates will be able to demonstrate Discipline-Specific Knowledge (DSK) (categories 1- 3) as defined by the American Psychological Association’s Office of Accreditation.
• Graduates will be able to demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge of DSK category 4 as defined by the American Psychological Association’s Office of Accreditation.
• Graduates will be able to meet or exceed expectations on the Profession Wide Competencies (PWCs) as defined by the American Psychological Association’s Office of Accreditation.

Bachelor's Degree Entry

This option is for students entering with a bachelor’s degree.

At least one taken each semester in residence

Master's Degree Entry

This option is for students entering with a master’s degree.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Program Notes

We do not have a terminal master’s degree. Coursework generally includes 90 credits including six hours of thesis research and 12 hours of dissertation research. In certain cases, credit may be award for completion of History and Systems of Psychology prior to program matriculation.

Students apply for an internship during their fourth year and generally complete it during their fifth year. The internship is required for the award of the doctoral degree. Once in a while, a student does not match in which case we work with the student to determine how to best spend the fifth year during which time they re-apply for internship. Dissertation hours (0-3 credits) may be taken while on internship.

Coursework generally involves 60 graduate credits including 42 hours of coursework, six practicum hours and 12 hours of dissertation research.

Students entering with a clinical master’s degree must have fulfilled the requirements for the Profession Wide Competency (PWC) Courses in their master’s degree programs. If these courses were not completed, were not completed at the graduate level, lacked original source material, were not completed with a grade of "B" or better or in any other way did not meet our curricular requirements, these courses will need to be taken. This plan also assumes that students have completed at least nine hours of Discipline Specific Knowledge (DSK) credit in Research Methods/Statistics in their master’s programs. In total, six hours of Statistics and six hours of Research Methods (at least three hours of which address psychometric theory and/or test development) are required at the graduate level.

Students entering with a clinical master’s degree usually apply for an internship during their third year and generally complete it during their fourth year. The internship is required for award of the doctoral degree. Once in a while, a student does not match for an internship in which case we work with the student to determine how to best spend the fourth year during which time they re-apply for an internship. Dissertation hours (0-3 credits) may be taken while on internship.

For additional information about our program, please contact

David Kaufman, Ph.D., ABPP Director of the Clinical Psychology Program [email protected]

Annie Garner, Ph.D. Coordinator of Admissions [email protected] .

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PhD in Health Sciences – Trauma Informed Care

Transfer credits, next start date, prepare to help people overcome trauma with liberty’s phd in health sciences – trauma informed care.

Trauma is more than a condition – it is a crippling, life-altering state of mind that can make the most common tasks impossible, damage relationships, and destroy one’s sense of self. Victims of trauma often find themselves in a pit of indescribable despair that seems impossible to climb out of. Fortunately, help and hope are available – and if you want to join the fight against trauma, Liberty University’s 100% online Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Sciences – Trauma Informed Care can equip you with the skills you need.

This degree program has been designed with the success of both you and your clients in mind. In this trauma psychology program, you will dive into curricula that cover a wide variety of topics – including ethical issues in the health sciences, crisis and first responder training, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and combat trauma, and much more. Our professors are experts with years of experience in education and trauma treatment – so you can feel confident in the quality of instruction you will receive.

The time has never been better to pursue an online trauma PhD program, and at Liberty University, it has never been simpler. Don’t put your career on hold any longer – partner with us, gain valuable skills, and take your career in the helping professions to new heights.  

Why Choose Liberty’s Doctorate in Health Sciences – Trauma Informed Care Degree?

Liberty University has extensive experience developing distance degree programs – we’ve been pioneering nontraditional education since 1985. We don’t shortchange you when you pursue an online degree program – we empower you by harnessing the power of a world-class curriculum into a convenient format that you can access from anywhere in the world. This degree program is offered 100% online in mostly 8-week courses, so you can earn your PhD while remaining committed to your job, family, and community.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, about 60% of men and 50% of women experience at least 1 trauma in their lifetime.* In addition, 6 out of 100 Americans will have PTSD at some point in their life, and roughly 12 million American adults struggle with PTSD during a given year.* These troubling statistics demand action. By partnering with us for your trauma-informed care degree, you can help reverse the growing trend of trauma in the United States and abroad.

While some doctoral programs can take up to 5 years to complete, our doctorate in health sciences can be completed in as little as 3 years – so you won’t have to spend an extended amount of time earning your degree. While our health sciences and trauma PhD allows you to finish your studies in a reasonable amount of time, we do not sacrifice academic rigor for expediency. Liberty University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges ( SACSCOC ) – so you can pursue your degree with confidence.

*PTSD: National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, at How Common Is PTSD in Adults? (viewed online Aug. 12, 2022).

Military Tuition Discount We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want — at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only  $300/credit hour .  Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work towards your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession — for less.

What Will You Learn in Our Trauma-Informed Care PhD Degree?

This degree program consists of 4 sections: core courses, research and statistics classes, the trauma-informed care specialization, and a dissertation sequence.

In the core courses, you will study ethical issues in health sciences, healthcare delivery systems, and cultural competency in health sciences. You will also study principles and theories of teaching in health professions, leadership in professional practices, risk management, and evidence-based practices in health sciences.

From there, this degree covers a review of health literature, qualitative research, and quantitative research. The trauma-informed care specialization teaches crisis and first responder training, the intricacies of PTSD and combat-related trauma, and effective community responses to mental health issues. Furthermore, you will explore assessment and testing in the treatment of trauma as well as empirically supported trauma treatments.

To round out your studies, you will complete a 4-step dissertation on a topic you’re passionate about. Each step of the dissertation is 1 semester long – giving you ample opportunity to think, research, write, and edit.

Featured Courses

• CRIS 605 – Crisis and First Responder Training: Skills and Techniques
• CRIS 607 – PTSD and Combat-Related Trauma
• TRMA 820 – Disaster Mental Health and Community Response
• TRMA 840 – Empirically Supported Treatments for Trauma

Highlights of Our Trauma Informed Care PhD Program

• We are recognized by multiple institutions for our academic quality, affordability, and accessibility . Our commitment to excellence also helped us rank in the top 10% of Niche.com’s best online schools in America . Earning your online degree from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
• Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.
• Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges ( SACSCOC ).
• You can access a wealth of resources through our top-notch library portal while pursuing your doctoral degree in health sciences.
• As an online student, you’ll have the opportunity to network with leaders in health sciences from across the country.

Online Health Sciences Degree Information

• This program falls under the  School of Health Sciences .
• Download and review the  Degree Completion Plan .
• View the  Graduate Health Sciences Course Guides   (login required) .

Apply Now     Request Info

Potential Career Opportunities for Health Sciences – Trauma Informed Care PhD Graduates

Depending on your previously obtained certifications and licenses, some of the roles you could pursue with this degree include:

• Healthcare administrator
• Healthcare communications specialist
• Medical assistant
• Public health worker

Admission Requirements for the PhD in Health Sciences Degree

A regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing. Please visit our admission requirements page  for more detailed admissions-related information.

All applicants must submit the following:

• Admission application
• Application fee*
• Official college transcripts
• Proof of English proficiency (for applicants whose native language is other than English)

*There is no upfront application fee; however, a deferred $50 application fee will be assessed during Financial Check-In. This fee is waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses — documentation verifying military status is required.

*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, Non-Degree Seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and Certificates.

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Cost Per Credit Hour Per Semester for 7 to 15 Credits* Per Semester for 9 to 15 Credits* i Visit the Tuition and Financing page for more information.

Additional program fees may apply. See program page for details.

Disclaimer: This calculator is a tool that provides a rough estimate of the total cost of tuition, and should not be relied upon to determine overall costs, as pricing may vary by program and tuition/fees are subject to change. Estimates are not final or binding, and do not include potential financial aid eligibility.

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You have to have a lot of self-motivation and self-discipline when you are going to school online, but the amazing thing is at Liberty you do not need to do it by yourself. You really do have resources like someone who is going to school on campus.

– Janae Fleming ’15, B.S. in Education

Northern Illinois University Department of Psychology College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

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Trauma Psychology Focus

Trauma psychology is geared for students with strong research and clinical interests in the area of trauma.

This focus area is based on the premise that trauma, broadly defined, is a risk factor in multiple disorders. Increased understanding of causes and consequences of traumatic stress and related sequelae will enhance the development of intervention strategies to reduce negative effects of trauma exposure. Consistent with the New Haven trauma competencies, training will target the core competencies of scientific knowledge about trauma, trauma-relevant psychosocial assessment, trauma-relevant psychosocial intervention and trauma-informed professionalism. You will receive exposure and training in best practices in assessment and evidence-based treatment modalities in trauma psychology. You will also produce original scholarship in trauma psychology.

Trauma Journal Club

You will have opportunities to conduct research under the supervision of clinical or affiliated faculty. Faculty research interests include emotional processing, emotion regulation, interpersonal violence, emergency responders, risk and protective factors following trauma exposure, trauma disclosure, and posttraumatic stress.

To apply indication your interest in the trauma psychology focus on your application materials. If you have any questions about the program, please contact Holly Orcutt , Ph.D. at [email protected]  for additional information.

Faculty and Associates

Trauma Psychology faculty and affiliates include:

Requirements

You must complete the same requirements as outlined for all clinical students with the following differences:

• Take the graduate level trauma seminar that will cover history and theories of trauma research and intervention.
• Take the graduate level trauma seminar that will cover evidence-based assessment and treatment methods in trauma psychology.
• Attend Trauma Journal Club and other relevant brown bag presentations (Anxiety Research Topics [ART], CSFVSA).
• See trauma assessment and intervention cases in the PSC as part of the Trauma Services Clinic  at least one semester during your tenure in the program.
• Cognitive and Instructional Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Neuroscience and Behavior
• School Psychology
• Social-Industrial/Organizational Psychology
• Research Resources

Department of Psychology Psychology-Computer Science Building room 400 815-753-0372

Director of Graduate Studies Kevin Wu, Ph.D [email protected]

Graduate Studies Assistant [email protected]

Admission Questions [email protected]

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology

Description of program.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program was designed in response to the growing interest in psychology as a discipline of study and the need for advanced studies, including research beyond the master’s level. This degree program emphasizes theory, research, and scholarship, culminating in a dissertation.

Learning Outcomes

• Appraise theories and principles in psychology to inform professional contexts.
• Evaluate research methods and data analysis in psychology.
• Select psychological principles and research for application to personal, social, and organizational issues.
• Evaluate ethical principles of psychology in academic and professional matters.
• Critique diversity issues in professional contexts.
• Design clear and effective communication for fellow professionals and the public.

All PhD students are required to demonstrate competency in these areas:

• Competency in Research Writing Skills  - PhD students are required to complete both PSY-7101    and PSY-7102    at NCU. Students must demonstrate doctoral-level writing skills in all NCU graduate coursework. Students may request on their own behalf or may be recommended to complete an English writing course if the School Dean or faculty determine communications skills are insufficient for doctoral-level work.
• Graduate-Level Research Methods Competency  - PhD students are required to complete  PSY7103   ,  PSY7106   ,  PSY7108   , and  PSY7109    at NCU.
• Graduate-Level Statistics Competency  - PhD students are required to complete  PSY7107    at NCU.
• Computer Competency  - Doctoral students are required to have the computer skills necessary for completing a dissertation. Students must be able to prepare documents using advanced word processing skills (e.g., creation of tables and figures, headers and footers, page breaks, tables of contents, hanging indents). Students must use computer programs for the statistical analysis of data (e.g., SPSS). Students must produce a computer-based presentation (e.g., PowerPoint) for their dissertation defense.

Basis for Admissions

In order to enter the Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology, applicants must have a conferred master’s degree from an regionally or nationally accredited academic institution. There are two options for entering the doctoral program in psychology:

• Direct Entry – Individuals with a previously completed master’s degree in any area of Psychology, Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, or Social Work may immediately begin the 60 credit PhD program.
• Evaluation Track – Individuals who have previously completed a master’s degree in an area other than one listed above must have their transcripts evaluated to determine if previous coursework meets some or all of the Standard Curriculum requirements. Students in the Evaluation Track will begin their degree plan with PSY -7101    and PSY -7102   . They will then be required to complete the Standard Curriculum courses prior to taking the remaining courses in their degree plan.

Standard Curriculum  - Up to 12 credit hours determined based on formal evaluation. These courses are in addition to the 60 credits listed below.

• PSY-7011 - History and Systems of Psychology    
• PSY-7012 - Professional Ethics, Law, and Psychology    
• PSY-7013 - Human Development and Functioning    
• PSY-7014 - Social Psychology    

Degree Requirements

The PhD in Psychology degree requires a minimum of 60 credit hours at the graduate level beyond the master’s degree.

The University may accept a maximum of 12 semester credit hours in transfer toward the doctoral degree for graduate coursework completed at an accredited college or university while enrolled in a doctoral program with a grade of “B” or better.

The PhD degree programs in psychology have the following graduation requirements:

• A minimum of 48 credit hours of graduate instruction must be completed through NCU.
• Grade Point Average of 3.0 (letter grade of “B”) or higher.
• Satisfactory completion of a Comprehensive Exam.
• University approval of dissertation manuscript and successful completion of the dissertation defense.
• Submission of the approved final dissertation manuscript to the University Registrar, including the original unbound dissertation manuscript and an electronic copy.
• Official documents on file for basis of admission: a conferred master’s degree from an accredited academic institution.
• Official transcripts on file for all transfer credit hours accepted by the University.
• All financial obligations to the University paid in full.

Time to Completion

NCU allows seven years to complete doctoral programs of 60 credits or less.

Students who are unable to complete a degree program within the stated time limit are dismissed. Students who believe they have extenuating circumstances may document the circumstances in a request for special consideration to their respective School Dean or designee. Exceptions to this policy are determined on a case-by-case basis and are granted only once.

Normal time to completion for this program is 84 months.

Time to completion varies depending upon the pace in which a student completes courses and the number of transfer credits accepted. As most NCU students are working adults balancing educational, professional, and personal commitments, our academic advisors will work with you to develop a program schedule that works best for your needs.

The normal time disclosed above reflects the experience of students who may have entered under different program requirements. In the quest for continuous improvement, academic leadership has revised the program to optimize curriculum and pace, facilitate student learning, and improve chances for success. Therefore, the program is now designed for students enrolling today to take advantage of these revised course structures, lengths, and schedules. New students following the preferred schedule designed by the Dean for this program, and applying no transfer credits, can expect to finish in as little as 48 months.

Dissertation Process

Faculty assists each NCU Doctoral student to reach this high goal through a systematic process leading to a high-quality completed dissertation. A PhD dissertation is a scholarly documentation of research that makes an original contribution to the field of study. This process requires care in choosing a topic, documenting its importance, planning the methodology, and conducting the research. These activities lead smoothly into the writing and oral presentation of the dissertation.

A doctoral candidate must be continuously enrolled throughout the series of dissertation courses. Dissertation courses are automatically scheduled and accepted without a break in scheduling to ensure that students remain in continuous enrollment throughout the dissertation course sequence. If additional time is required to complete any of the dissertation courses, students must re-enroll and pay the tuition for that course. Continuous enrollment will only be permitted when students demonstrate progress toward completing dissertation requirements. The Dissertation Committee determines progress.

Course Sequence

The PhD program may be completed in 60 credits (not including required Standard Curriculum courses) but  may require additional credit hours , depending on the time required to complete the dissertation research. If granted, additional courses will be added to the student degree program in alignment with the SAP and Academic Maximum Time to Completion policies.  Students who do not complete their program in accordance with these policies may be dismissed.

• PSY-7101 - Foundations for Doctoral Study in Psychology
• PSY-7102 - Scholarly Writing and Professional Communication in Psychology

Standard Curriculum Courses, if needed

• Specialization Course 1
• PSY-7103 - Research Methods
• Specialization Course 2
• PSY-7104 - Statistics I
• Specialization Course 3
• PSY-7105 - Tests and Measurements
• Specialization Course 4
• PSY-7106 - Quantitative Research Design
• Specialization Course 5
• PSY-7107 - Statistics II
• Specialization Course 6
• PSY-7108 - Qualitative Research Design
• PSY-7109 - Planning Dissertation Research in Psychology
• CMP-9701P - Pre-Candidacy Prospectus
• DIS-9901A - Components of the Dissertation
• DIS-9902A - The Dissertation Proposal
• DIS-9903A - Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Data Collection
• DIS-9904A - The Dissertation Manuscript and Defense

Trauma and Disaster Relief

Increasing natural disasters, incidents of abuse and neglect, terrorism, war, violence and conflict on a local, national and global level have created a demand for individuals trained in identifying and treating the aftermath of trauma. Victims, witnesses and relief workers who experience trauma may also find themselves facing a variety of psychological issues, difficulties in interpersonal relationships, physical health problems and be placed at future risk. Mental health workers would benefit from understanding the various facets of trauma, its impact on coping skills, and treatment, intervention and prevention strategies.

Exposure to trauma and disaster can lead to emotional and behavioral issues for victims, survivors, relief workers and bystanders. The Trauma and Disaster Relief specialization prepares students to work with individuals who have witnessed natural disasters, accidents, abuse, physical injury, bullying, etc., and who are now grappling with how to cope or to integrate memories or feelings related to that experience.

Specialization Courses - 18 Credit Hours

• PSY-8110 - Psychology of Violence
• PSY-8320 - Psychology of Traumatic Stress
• PSY-8322 - Disaster, Terrorism, and Mass Violence: Impacts on Mental Health
• PSY-8323 - Trauma-informed Assessment, Risk, and Diagnosis
• PSY-8324 - Trauma-informed Interventions with Disaster and Trauma Survivors
• PSY-8325 - Gender and Cultural Considerations in Disaster Trauma and Response

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Trauma studies in counseling and psychology.

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Foster resilience in those impacted by trauma.

Develop the interventions needed to work with survivors of trauma. Guided by Lesley University’s expert faculty-clinicians, who are at the forefront of psychosocial trauma research and practice, bring new knowledge to your current profession. Designed for current practitioners who hold a master’s degree in counseling or a related field, this 12-credit, Cambridge-based program builds your expertise in trauma theory and practice in relation to specific client populations and topics.

With growing numbers of those in need of trauma-sensitive services, including military veterans, international refugees, and domestic violence survivors, make an impact on an overwhelmed healthcare system. Through a combination of science, theory, and empathy grounded in fieldwork, gain the specialized skill set needed to help people break out of unconstructive behaviors and patterns.

Program Structure

Full-Time or Part-Time On-Campus Program

• To be enrolled in this program, you’ll need to show proof of your master’s degree in counseling or a related field.
• Required courses include Psychological Trauma and Post-Trauma Therapy; Disaster Mental Health and Community Crisis Intervention; Psychological Trauma in the Lives of Children and Adolescents; and Special Topics in Trauma Studies.
• Part-time example: Take 6 credits/semester for 2 semesters. Complete in about 8 months.

Cambridge, MA

A nexus for higher education and mental health counseling practice and research, each year 250,000 students arrive to Cambridge from around the globe. The intellectual and cultural capital runs deep, and so do your opportunities addressing barriers to wellness. From Lesley’s location, access innovative community, hospital, and school-based mental health programs.

• Inpatient Psychiatric Hospitals
• Outpatient Clinics
• Public Schools
• Therapeutic Schools
• Residential Homes
• Substance Abuse Clinics
• AIDS Treatment Centers
• Domestic Violence Shelters
• Homeless Shelters

Interim Co-Chair, Professor, Counseling and Psychology

Susan Gere, Professor and Interim Co-Chair of the Counseling and Psychology department, is Core Faculty and a clinician and consultant in the community. Dr. Gere’s research and teaching interests are in integrative approaches to trauma treatment; understanding the impact of adverse life experience on adult learning; and mental health consultation in clinical, educational, organizational, and community settings. “I am interested in the many ways in which psychosocial knowledge can inform our understanding of educational processes across settings.”

Elizabeth Barragato

Visiting Instructor, Counseling & Psychology

Liz Barragato , MA, LMHC, has been an adjunct faculty member at Lesley University since 2014 and is thrilled to be a member of the core faculty starting in the 2021-2022 academic year. Liz has a private counseling and consultation practice in Cambridge, MA, and Liz is also a managing co-owner of Crooked Tree Counseling, LLC , in Cambridge.

Being a masters-level instructor, instead of having areas of scholarship, Liz had areas of clinical interest. Liz is interested in holistic theories and counseling methods, with a special interest in the intersection of Eastern wisdom practices, mental health, and wellness.

Liz brings this interest to the coordination of the Holistic Studies Specialization in the Counseling and Psychology Department. Liz is also deeply influenced by existential and relational psychoanalytic counseling approaches. Through all of these theoretical lenses, Liz see critical theory and issues of social justice permeating the work of counseling and teaching.

Adam Meiselman

Assistant Professor of Counseling and Psychology

Sue Motulsky

Professor of Counseling and Psychology

Sue’s teaching, writing, and research interests are in developmental and relational psychology, including adult development, cultural psychology, gender issues and women’s psychology, identity and relational development, LGBTQ+ career and identity development, and career counseling and vocational development.

Research interests include feminist, relational psychology, identity development, career development and life/career transitions, specifically transgender and nonbinary adults’ career decision-making, and qualitative, constructivist and narrative research.

Joe Mageary

Associate Professor and Department Chair, Counseling & Psychology

Joe Mageary, PhD, LMHC, CCMHC (he/him) is an Associate Professor in Lesley University’s Department of Counseling and Psychology. As a member of the core faculty, Dr. Mageary has also served as the Director of Field Training for Counseling and Psychology. He is a Massachusetts Licensed School Adjustment Counselor and Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), as well as a nationally certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Connecticut. He has used his LMHC in inpatient, outpatient, and community-based clinical roles and has extensive experience as a clinical supervisor, having worked as the Director of Emergency Services and Jail Diversion for an eighteen-town catchment area as well as serving as a Clinical Director in therapeutic high school settings for nearly a decade prior to joining Lesley’s faculty.

Throughout his career, Dr Mageary’s clinical work has been rooted in trauma-informed efforts to decrease stigma and suffering associated with mental illness through providing creative, community-based, collaborative, and recovery-oriented services. His clinical approach is influenced by tenets of Narrative Therapy, trauma-informed approaches, critical psychology, and brief therapies as well as by transdisciplinary thinkers such as Gregory Bateson and Edgar Morin. He holds a certificate from the Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma’s Global Mental Health: Trauma and Recovery program and is working interdisciplinarily on multiple projects related to supporting people who have been displaced and/or otherwise impacted by war, natural disaster, and other systemic stresses. Specifically, Dr. Mageary has worked with  Voces Arts and Healing , a group of expressive therapists, clinicians and advocates supporting asylum seekers and their allies in the Juarez, Mexico/El Paso, Texas metropolitan area. He is also actively partnered with the  Lesley University Institute for Trauma Sensitivity  (LIFTS) in weekly consultation and support for teachers and child psychologists in the Kirovohradska region of Ukraine.

Dr. Mageary is interested in exploring creative and body-oriented approaches to healing. He led a team that developed the Visual Reflection Team model: an arts-based version of the Reflecting Team technique used in Family Systems- and Narrative therapies.

In addition to having his LMHC, Dr. Joe Mageary is a:

• Nationally Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC)
• Licensed School Adjustment Counselor and Special Education Administrator in the state of Massachusetts
• Level one- and two-trained Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) clinician
• Member of the American Counseling Association (Massachusetts and Rhode Island Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Division) and the Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association

Donna San Antonio

Donna Marie San Antonio has worked as a community organizer, teacher in grades 7-12, school counselor, outdoor educator-counselor, nonprofit administrator, and university instructor. She came to Lesley University in 2011 after teaching for 8 years in the Risk and Prevention Program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. For 26 years, she directed the Appalachian Mountain Teen Project, an activity-based counseling program that she founded in 1984 to serve low-income and struggling youth in central and northern New Hampshire. 

Dr. San Antonio’s research and practice focus on understanding and supporting social, emotional, and physical wellness during adolescence and emerging adulthood. She has published on topics including developmental transitions for rural adolescents and emerging adults; the influence of social class and trauma in life course design and aspiration; experiential education/adventure-based counseling; school-based and workplace mentoring; school climate and social-emotional development; cross-role and cross-institutional collaboration; and community and school-based participatory action research for social change. Her current research projects include an exploration into the lifelong impact of therapeutic adventure activities during adolescence, and an auto-ethnography on how schools and communities in low-income rural areas support the social integration and well-being of migrant youth and families.  

Dr. San Antonio collaborates with international practitioners and researchers on urgent issues in school and community counseling. She frequently consults with school and community programs seeking to address cultural and economic barriers to success. She serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Experiential Education and is a Founding Member of the International Society of Policy, Research and Evaluation in School Counseling. She coordinates Lesley University’s affiliation with the UNESCO-UNITWIN Project on Lifelong Career. 

About her on-going community work, Dr. San Antonio says, "I believe in involving youth as active participants in addressing issues that threaten their well-being, such as poverty, racism, trauma, sexism, and homophobia.” As a classroom instructor and community activist, Dr. San Antonio works to create contexts that offer a high level of active critical reflection and dialogue. She enjoys hiking, biking, canoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.   

PhD Director, Associate Professor of Counseling & Psychology

Peiwei is an Associate Professor of Counseling & Psychology, the Director for the PhD program in Counseling & Psychology, and a member of the Executive Board of the Society for Qualitative Inquiry in Psychology (SQIP). Her cross-cultural experiences as an immigrant in the U.S. and as a Chinese woman growing up in the late socialist/emerging capitalist era in China have shaped her genuine interest in understanding the intersection of culture, race, gender and class. She is particularly intrigued by the complex power relations of marginalization and dominance that perpetuate and reproduce social and systemic pathologies and inequalities. This also fuels her passion to create conditions for consciousness raising and collective participatory actions toward a better world.

As a teacher, Peiwei’s pedagogy has been shaped by critical and feminist theories that foreground relationship, dialogue, reflection and love. She strives to create openness, trust and authenticity in the classroom that enables critical thinking, dialogues, self-reflection, emotional exploration, and the inclusion of marginalized voices. As a trained counseling psychologist and a research methodologist, Peiwei’s scholarship explores the borderland of critical psychology and critical qualitative methodologies, pertaining to self and identity development, consciousness raising, recognition, and the emancipatory aspect of knowledge. Her most recent critical ethnographic study focuses on the conditions and process of critical consciousness raising during diversity/social justice education.

In addition, Peiwei investigates graduate students’ conception and experiences with research methodology classes, and develops teaching pedagogies that holistically center students’ identities in learning. Peiwei is also passionate about critiquing and reconstructing current code of research ethics to make it more inclusive of historically marginalized and indigenous perspectives, and better attend to layered power relations in knowledge production and dissemination. Inspired by Zen practices, Peiwei is also drawn to the intersection of Eastern spiritual traditions such as Zen Buddhism, and psychotherapy and healing.

• Tuition $1,300/credit x 12 $15,600
• Fees Comprehensive Fee $300

All graduate students are reviewed for merit scholarships through the admissions process and are awarded at the time of acceptance. Other forms of  financial aid  are also available. Review all  graduate tuition and fees , and what they cover. Tuition and fees are subject to change each year, effective in the Summer term.

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Bruce D. Perry, M.D.,Ph.D.

Dr. Perry is the Principal of the Neurosequential Network, Senior Fellow of The ChildTrauma Academy, and a Professor (Adjunct) in the Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago and the School of Allied Health, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria Australia.

Over the last thirty years, Dr. Perry has been an active teacher, clinician and researcher in children’s mental health and the neurosciences holding a variety of academic positions. His work on the impact of abuse, neglect and trauma on the developing brain has impacted clinical practice, programs and policy across the world. Dr. Perry is the author, with Maia Szalavitz, of The Boy Who Was Raised As A Dog, a bestselling book based on his work with maltreated children and Born For Love: Why Empathy is Essential and Endangered. Dr. Perry’s most recent book, What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing, co-authored with Oprah Winfrey was released in 2021.

Dr. Perry was on the faculty of the Departments of Pharmacology and Psychiatry at the University of Chicago School of Medicine from 1988 to 1991. From 1992 to 2001, Dr. Perry served as the Trammell Research Professor of Child Psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. During this time, Dr. Perry also was Chief of Psychiatry for Texas Children’s Hospital and Vice-Chairman for Research within the Department of Psychiatry. From 2001 to 2003, Dr. Perry served as the Medical Director for Provincial Programs in Children’s Mental Health for the Alberta Mental Health Board. He continues to consult with the government of Alberta on children’s issues and serves as a founding member of the Premier’s Council of Alberta’s Promise.

Dr. Perry has conducted both basic neuroscience and clinical research. His neuroscience research has examined the effects of prenatal drug exposure on brain development, the neurobiology of human neuropsychiatric disorders, the neurophysiology of traumatic life events and basic mechanisms related to the development of neurotransmitter receptors in the brain. His clinical research and practice has focused on high-risk children. This work has examined the cognitive, behavioral, emotional, social, and physiological effects of neglect and trauma in children, adolescents and adults. This work has been instrumental in describing how childhood experiences, including neglect and traumatic stress, change the biology of the brain – and, thereby, the health of the child.

His clinical research over the last twenty years has been focused on integrating emerging principles of developmental neuroscience into clinical practice. This work has resulted in the development of innovative clinical practices and programs working with maltreated and traumatized children, most prominently the Neurosequential Model©, a developmentally sensitive, neurobiology-informed approach to clinical work (NMT), education (NME) and caregiving (NMC). This approach to clinical problem solving has been integrated into the programs at dozens of large public and non-profit organizations serving at-risk children and their families.

His experience as a clinician and a researcher with traumatized children has led many community and governmental agencies to consult Dr. Perry following high-profile incidents involving traumatized children and youth including the Branch Davidian siege in Waco (1993), the Oklahoma City bombing (1995), the Columbine school shootings (1999), the September 11th terrorist attacks (2001), Hurricane Katrina (2005), the FLDS polygamist sect (2008), the earthquake in Haiti (2010), the tsunami in Tohoku Japan (2011), the Sandy Hook Elementary school shootings (2012), and the Camp wildfire in California (2018) among many others.

Dr. Perry has published over 500 journal articles, book chapters and scientific proceedings and is the recipient of numerous professional awards and honors, including the T. Berry Brazelton Infant Mental Health Advocacy Award, the Award for Leadership in Public Child Welfare, the Alberta Centennial Medal and the 2014 Kohl Education Prize. He serves on the Board of Directors of multiple organizations including Prevent Child Abuse America and the Ana Grace Project.

He has presented about child maltreatment, children’s mental health, neurodevelopment and youth violence in a variety of venues including policy-making bodies such as the White House Summit on Violence, the California Assembly and U.S. House Committee on Education. Dr. Perry has been featured in a wide range of media including 60 Minutes, National Public Radio, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Nightline, CNN, MSNBC, NBC, ABC and CBS News and the Oprah Winfrey Show. His work has been featured in documentaries produced by Dateline NBC, 20/20, the BBC, Nightline, CBC, PBS, as well as dozen international documentaries. 

Many print media have highlighted the clinical and research activities of Dr. Perry including a Pulitzer-prize winning series in the Chicago Tribune, The Sun Magazine, US News and World Report, Time, Newsweek, Forbes ASAP, Washington Post, the New York Times and Rolling Stone.

Dr. Perry, a native of Bismarck, North Dakota, was an undergraduate at Stanford University and Amherst College. He attended medical and graduate school at Northwestern University, receiving both M.D. and Ph.D. degrees. Dr. Perry completed a residency in general psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine and a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at The University of Chicago.

Mordechai Salfer

Psychologist , phd.

My Practice at a Glance

Miami, FL 33180

Jackson, NJ 08527

• Individual Sessions $325
• Couple Sessions $400
• Sliding scale: apply if you may be eligible
• Pay by Venmo, Zelle

Qualifications

• Verified by Psychology Today Licensed by State of Florida / PY9348 Mordechai Salfer

Primary Location

Additional location, nearby areas.

• Jackson, NJ