[Adta] Re: PhD Programs

[Andrea Olson]

I've enjoyed reading all your responses regarding PhD programs.  
Please keep them coming!

I've also been looking into doctorate programs. As a soon-to-be- 
graduate of Pacifica Graduate Institute's MA in Counseling Psychology  
program, I am particularly biased. I hope I don't sound like a  
Pacifica commercial here, but I'm VERY passionate about my school. :)

I've researched a few other PhD programs and am 99% sure I'll stay  
with Pacifica. They offer a one weekend per month program that is  
rooted in depth psychology and mythology. In addition to this, they  
emphasize cultivating your own therapeutic style, and teach such  
things as imaginal and archetypal psychology; and guests such as  
Marion Woodman and Kathee Miller gave special workshops to our class  
on D/MT and Authentic Movement. They have a new PhD track in Depth  
Psychology with an emphasis on psychotherapy (for counselors, but not  
a Clinical program...you don't get to be a Psychologist), as well as  
the traditional PhD in Clinical Psych.

Although they do not offer a D/MT or Somatic Psychology degree, all  
Pacifica's PhD and Master's programs enhance, support, and champion  
areas such as these. I am concurrently studying at Tamalpa Institute  
and I've found that Pacifica has given me a strong, grounded,  
symbiotic foundation in depth psychology......which is directly  
linked to expressive arts therapy and dance/movement therapy. I've  
learned how to sit with the multiple layers of psyche, conscious, and  
unconscious in the room...how to hold a strong container within which  
others can explore the unconscious with dance and the arts. The study  
of the unconscious and archetypes and the creative myths ultimately  
enhances our ability to sit with and work with our clients in the  
expressive therapies. See Joan Chodorow's book "Dance Therapy and  
Depthy Psychology" for more on this relationship.

Ultimately, I believe a PhD will give me more information and  
experience, more credibility, and a deeper understanding of my role  
as a counselor, especially through collaboration with others in the  
program. And at Pacifica, I'm sure it will be personally  
transformative, engaging, and fun!

Here is their site: www.pacifica.edu. John Valenzuela is a great  
source of information (jvalenzuela at pacifica.edu), and they offer 1  
day introductory workshops.

Hope this helps!
Andrea Olson