Holistic Studies in Counseling and Psychology

The Division of Counseling and Psychology at Lesley University is committed to the training of practitioners with strong grounding in clinical, ethical and holistic perspectives, and in promoting psychological and physical well-being at the individual, family and systemic levels. Within our training programs, students learn to:

• utilize a holistic biopsychosocial model of health and illness
• address the relationship between mind, body and spirit in stress-related physical disorders, psychological dysfunction, substance abuse and trauma recovery
• use these skills to increase the effectiveness of verbal psychotherapy and psychiatric medications within the ecological context of health care and human services

The holistically oriented practitioner develops skills that integrate a broad repertoire of theoretical approaches for use with individuals, families and groups. These skills can be applied in medical settings, mental health settings, wellness programs as well as psychoeducational and community settings.

• Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A.- Holistic Studies Specialization

Selected Courses Related to Holistic Studies

• GPSYC 5021 Body Image
• GPSYC 5023 Stress Management: A Body Centered Approach
• GPSYC 5024 Meditation and Psychotherapy
• GPSYC 5039 Spirituality: Integrating Factor in Mental and Physical Health
• GPSYC 6049 Focusing and Listening: Essential Skills for the Practice of Psychotherapy
• GPSYC 6300 Theories of Holistic Counseling and Psychotherapy I
• GPSYC 6301 Theories of Holistic Counseling and Psychotherapy II
• GPSYC 6303 Psychology of Illness and Wellness
• GPSYC 6305 Counseling and Spirituality
• GPSYC 7001 Focusing, Listening and Imagery
• GPSYC 7100 Biological Bases of Behavior

Contact Information

For program information, please contact John Gearin, Program Advisor, at jgearin@lesley.edu or 617-349-8339. For admissions information, please contact Office of Graduate Admissions at info@lesley.edu or 617-349-8300.

Selected Publications by Holistic Studies Faculty

Crowley, P. (1989). Ask the expert: A group teaching tool. Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 14, 173-75.

Crowley, P. (1988). The heart of the matter. Journal for Counseling and Development, 68, 187.

Gottlieb, S., Miller, B. J. (1990). Understanding the person: Application of bioenergetic technique. Training Manual. Edmunds, WA: The Pacific Northwest Conference.

Gottlieb, S. (1988). Some issues in bioenergetic therapy with narcissistically wounded individuals. The International Institute for Bioenergetic Analysis Newsletter, 8, (2), 1-2.

Kass, J. (2004) Lives in transformation: The use of contemplative practices among adult university students. Book in preparation.

Kass, J. (2003) Facilitating spiritual development as a foundation for health-promoting and pro-social behavior. In, W. Miller (Ed.) Personhood, human motivation and change. Chapter in preparation.

Kass, J., Knickles, R.M., Davis, F., Kass, L., Allen E., Singleton, E. (2001). Cigarette smoking in first-year college women: Stress concerning physical appearance, not generalized stress may be a primary risk factor; Internalizing spirituality may be a protective resource. Submitted for publication.

Kass, J., Kass, L. (2000). Manual for the Spirituality and Resilience Assessment Packet. Cambridge, MA: Behavioral Health Education Initiative Monograph, Greenhouse, Inc.

Kass, J. (1998). The inventory of positive psychological attitudes: Measuring attitudes that buffer stress and facilitate primary prevention using constructs responsive to diverse cultural worldviews. In C. Zalaquett, R. Wood (Ed.), Evaluating Stress: A Book of Resources, Volume 2. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, Inc. (University Press of America.)

Kass, J. (1996). Coping with life-threatening illnesses using a logotherapeutic approach, Stage II: Clinical mental health counseling. International Forum for Logotherapy, 19 (2), 113-118.

Kass, J. (1996). Coping with life-threatening illnesses using a logotherapeutic approach, Stage I: Health care team interventions. International Forum for Logotherapy, 19 (1), 15-19.

Kass, J. (1995). Contributions of religious experience to psychological and physical well-being: Research evidence and an explanatory model. In L. VandeCreek (Ed.), Spiritual Needs and Pastoral Services: Readings in Research. (pp. 189-213). Decatur, GA: Journal of Pastoral Care Publications.

Kass, J. (1991). Contributions of religious experience to psychological and physical well-being: Research evidence and an explanatory model. The Caregiver (Journal of the College of Chaplains), 8 (4), 4-11.

Kass, J., Friedman, R., Leserman, J., Caudill, M., Zuttermeister, P., Benson, H. (1991). An inventory of positive psychological attitudes with potential relevance to health outcomes: Validation and preliminary testing. Behavioral Medicine, 17 (3), 121-129.

Kass, J., Friedman, R., Leserman, J., Zuttermeister, P., Benson, H. (1991). Health outcomes and a new measure of spiritual experience. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 30 (2), 203-211.

Klagsbrun, J. (1998). Focusing. The Encyclopedia of Mind Body Disciplines. New York: Rosen Publishing Company.

Klagsbrun, J. (1984). Getting the picture: The use of imagery to clarify Therapeutic Impasses, Psychotherapy Vol. 21.

Lindsley, J.G. (1999) Diurnal variation in the frequency and amplitude of digital skin temperature oscillations. Chronobiology International, 16 (supplement 1)

Lindsley, J. G., Stephenson, L. A. (1999). Sleep, health and well-being. In Rippe JA (ed). Lifestyle Medicine. Section XXI: Environmental Stress. Malden, MA: Blackwell Science, 1226-1241.

Lindsley, J.G., Dowse, H.B., Burgoon, P.W., Kolka, M.A., Stephenson, L.A. (1999). A persistent circhoral ultradian rhythm is identified in human core temperature. Chronobiology International, 16 (1), 69-78

Lindsley, J. G. (1994). The insomnia syndrome: Befuddler of the psychotherapeutic enterprise in Ellison JM, Weinstein CS, Hodel-Malinofsky T (eds.). The Psychotherapist's Guide to Neuropsychiatry. Washington, DC/London, England: American Psychiatric Press, Inc., 279-302.

Ziff, J. & Ruppert, E. (1994). The mind, body, and soul of violence. Transactional Analysis Journal, 161-177.

Ziff, J. (1992). Protocol for multi-modality counseling, Privately Published by Author.

Ziff, J. (1991). Stress. Lesley Magazine, Winter.

Ziff, J. (1989). I and thou: The client practitioner relationship in somatic education. Somatics, Fall.

Ziff, J. (1986). Mirrors in time: The psycho-spiritual journey through the Jewish year, Jason Aronson, Inc.