DEGREE PROGRAM:

Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology: Somatic Therapy

Earn your degree in Clinical Somatic Psychology, designed to blend somatic therapy with a deep understanding of the nervous system, trauma, compassionate inquiry, and embodied presence.

Why Get A Masters Degree in Somatics?

A Master’s degree is critical for those wanting to practice as a therapist. However, Psychology degrees are still designed for the old paradigm of conventional therapy.

Our revolutionary masters program is built around embodied presence, somatics, and experiential learning.

Program Overview:

  • Degree: Master of Arts, Clinical Somatic Psychology

  • Online Degree with 2 in-person courses (4 days each)

  • 50 Credit Hours, 1,380 hours total coursework

  • 380 classroom hours + 750 hours self-directed coursework

  • 250 hours of required direct client sessions.

  • Option for licensure preparation (read disclosures in the FAQ section).

Key Considerations:

  • Cost: ~$25,000 ($500 / credit hour). Financial aid, loans, & payment plans available.

  • Accept transfer credit from Somatic Experiencing, IFS, yoga/meditation Training, coaching institutions, massage school, chinese medicine school, and more.

Degree Requirements:

The Clinical Somatic Psychology master’s program is a comprehensive 50-credit training program that integrates somatic psychology, advanced movement practices, group facilitation, and cutting-edge insights into trauma and embodiment. The program blends academic coursework with experiential learning and clinical training to prepare graduates for a career as a Somatic Therapist.

Core Coursework:

These are courses every student is required to take.

  • • Explore the principles of somatic psychology, including embodiment, interoception, and self-regulation.

    • Examine the role of the nervous system in trauma, emotional processing, and behavior.

    •Learn foundational somatic techniques for self-awareness, grounding, and client interventions.

  • • Study the connection between movement and emotional regulation, trauma healing, and mental health.

    • Practice movement-based interventions for stress reduction, nervous system regulation, and expressive therapy.

    •Understand the role of somatic movement in therapy across different populations and modalities.

  • • Learn foundational coaching techniques, including goal-setting, motivational interviewing, and client accountability.

    • Explore the ethical and legal differences between coaching and therapy, including scope of practice.

    •Practice structured coaching conversations, helping clients build resilience and self-awareness.

  • • Understand the autonomic nervous system, polyvagal theory, and the physiology of stress and trauma.

    • Learn somatic regulation techniques such as breathwork, movement, and vagal toning exercises.

    •Apply nervous system awareness to client interventions, focusing on co-regulation and self-regulation.

  • • Examine attachment theory and its impact on emotional development, relationships, and nervous system regulation.

    • Understand how early life experiences shape the body’s response to stress and trauma.

    •Learn somatic techniques for healing attachment wounds and improving emotional resilience.

  • • Integrate somatic awareness into therapeutic settings, focusing on embodied presence and attunement.

    • Learn how to assess client body language, tension patterns, and nervous system states.

    •Practice trauma-informed somatic interventions to support emotional and physical regulation.

  • • Examine ethical considerations in somatic therapy, including boundaries, consent, and trauma-informed care.

    • Explore cultural humility and diversity in body-based healing practices.

    •Develop inclusive approaches to working with diverse populations through a somatic lens.

  • • Learn the essentials of launching and running a private practice, including legal considerations and business structures.

    • Explore ethical marketing strategies and client acquisition for somatic practitioners.

    •Develop financial and administrative skills to support long-term practice sustainability.

  • • Deepen coaching skills with advanced techniques for emotional processing and nervous system regulation.

    • Learn how to structure long-term coaching relationships with a focus on personal transformation.

    •Practice integrating somatic coaching interventions for anxiety, stress, and trauma recovery.

  • • Refine somatic techniques for working with complex trauma and chronic stress patterns.

    • Explore client case studies to apply advanced somatic interventions in therapeutic settings.

    •Learn how to combine somatic work with talk therapy, coaching, and other therapeutic modalities.

  • • Explore the science of mindfulness and its impact on the nervous system and emotional regulation.

    • Learn mindfulness-based somatic techniques for reducing stress, enhancing body awareness, and improving resilience.

    •Practice facilitating embodied mindfulness exercises in both individual and group settings.

  • • Learn how to work with different aspects of the self through modalities like Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Gestalt therapy.

    • Explore how trauma fragments the self and how somatic awareness can support integration.

    •Practice guiding clients through inner dialogue and somatic techniques for healing and self-connection.

Electives:

You’ll choose at least 3 of these courses. Some of these courses are held in-person.

  • • Explore advanced movement practices, including dance therapy, Feldenkrais, and somatic experiencing.

    • Learn how movement can support trauma release, emotional processing, and nervous system regulation.

    •Develop individualized movement-based interventions for therapeutic settings.

  • • Study the history, research, and ethical considerations of psychedelic-assisted therapy.

    • Learn about key substances such as psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine and their effects on mental health.

    •Explore harm reduction, preparation, and integration techniques for working with clients in psychedelic-assisted settings.

  • • Dive deeper into advanced therapeutic applications of psychedelics for trauma, depression, and existential distress.

    • Learn facilitation skills for psychedelic experiences, including creating safe set and setting conditions.

    •Explore case studies and practice integration techniques to support long-term healing.

  • • Understand the neurobiological basis of trauma and how EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) facilitates healing.

    • Learn the foundations of hypnotherapy for working with trauma, anxiety, and subconscious belief patterns.

    •Practice techniques for guiding clients through trauma resolution and somatic memory processing.

  • • Explore how attachment, body language, and nervous system regulation impact relationship dynamics.

    • Learn somatic techniques for improving communication, intimacy, and conflict resolution in couples therapy.

    •Practice body-based exercises for increasing emotional connection and relational healing.

  • • Examine the relationship between trauma, the nervous system, and sexual health.

    • Learn somatic approaches for healing sexual shame, intimacy challenges, and embodied pleasure.

    •Explore trauma-informed strategies for working with clients around sexuality and relationships.

  • • Learn the principles of leading somatic-focused group therapy and support circles.

    • Explore group dynamics, co-regulation, and trauma-informed facilitation techniques.

    •Practice structuring and leading somatic exercises for groups in therapeutic settings.

  • • Explore breathwork as a tool for nervous system regulation, emotional release, and trauma healing.

    • Learn and practice techniques such as holotropic breathwork, coherent breathing, and diaphragmatic regulation.

    •Understand safety considerations and contraindications for breathwork in clinical settings.

  • • Study the relationship between energetic systems (chakras, meridians, biofields) and mental health.

    • Learn practical energy healing techniques such as Reiki, polarity therapy, and somatic energy clearing.

    •Explore the intersection of somatic psychology and energetic healing in therapeutic practice.

Practicum/Internship:

The internship coincide with your clinical internship, where you will gain real-world experience seeing clients. Your academic advisor will assist you in securing an internship.

  • • Conduct an independent research project exploring a key area of somatic psychology.

    • Synthesize program knowledge into a final paper or presentation demonstrating applied understanding.

    •Receive faculty mentorship and peer feedback to refine research and practical applications.

  • • Begin hands-on clinical experience in a supervised setting, applying somatic therapy techniques.

    • Develop client assessment and intervention skills with professional feedback.

    •Reflect on personal growth, ethical considerations, and challenges in the therapeutic process.

  • • Deepen therapeutic skills by working with diverse client populations and complex cases.

    • Expand proficiency in somatic-based interventions and trauma-informed care.

    •Participate in supervision, case studies, and peer discussions to refine professional competencies.

  • • Demonstrate mastery of somatic clinical skills through advanced client work.

    • Integrate multiple therapeutic modalities into a holistic approach to mental health.

    •Prepare for post-graduate practice by developing a professional portfolio and receiving final evaluations.

Licensure Prep (only for those seeking licensure):

After you complete the above coursework, you’ll have the option to complete additional coursework which is required to meet the educational licensure standards in most states. Please note this is an additional module, and is not included in the total cost of the standard degree program.

  • • Explore the effects, benefits, and risks of psychotropic medications used in mental health treatment.

    • Understand how medications interact with somatic therapy and integrative approaches.

    • Learn ethical considerations, client education strategies, and collaboration with prescribing professionals.

  • • Study the DSM-5-TR and other diagnostic tools to assess and differentiate mental health disorders.

    • Learn how to conduct comprehensive client assessments with a somatic and integrative perspective.

    • Explore cultural considerations, ethical concerns, and the limitations of diagnostic labeling.

  • • Develop treatment plans integrating traditional psychotherapy with somatic and holistic approaches.

    • Learn structured protocols for mood disorders, trauma-related conditions, and personality disorders.

    • Adapt interventions using movement, breathwork, and nervous system regulation techniques.

  • • Gain foundational skills in intake assessments, treatment planning, and client advocacy.

    • Learn ethical and legal considerations in case management, including referral coordination.

    • Explore trauma-informed approaches and working with diverse populations in mental health care.

  • • Explore the assessment and treatment of severe trauma-related conditions, including complex PTSD, dissociative disorders, and personality disorders.

    • Learn advanced somatic and nervous system-based interventions for clients with deep-rooted trauma histories.

    • Understand the ethical, clinical, and self-care considerations when working with high-risk and complex cases.

FAQs: Masters Degree Program

1. Will I become a Therapist from this program?

Yes, you can refer to yourself as a Therapist after completing a masters degree. Without a masters degree, you may not refer to yourself as a therapist.

2. Is this program accredited?

  1. We have aligned our program to meet the strict accreditation standards of the DEAC, an accrediting body registered with the Department of Education. We expect to be fully accredited by 2026.

    Accreditation is important for 2 reasons:

    1. Allows students to secure federal financial aid.

    2. Required for many state licensing boards, if you are sitting for licensure.

Because most of our students do not seek federal financial aid, or licensure, most students meet their career goals through our degree.

3. Does this degree prepare me for licensure?

Our program is not explicitly designed to prepare you to sit for licensure in any state, as licenses generally restrict the use of somatic practices.

Licensure requirements for state and international boards vary widely and are subject to change over time. While successful completion of the degree program offered by the Integrative Psychology Institute is a critical step toward meeting educational requirements for licensure, it does not guarantee that a state or international licensing board will approve a graduate’s application.

The U.S. Department of Education regulation 34 CFR 668.43(a)(5)(v) requires institutions to disclose whether a program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in each U.S. state.

Licensure application decisions are made solely at the discretion of each jurisdiction’s licensing board. While the Integrative Psychology Institute provides general guidance on licensure requirements, such guidance should not be interpreted as a guarantee of licensure approval.

For detailed licensure information, students are encouraged to review the resources provided in the official licensure disclosure document and contact the licensing boards for the specific state(s) or country where they plan to seek licensure.

Students are responsible for verifying that the program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in the location(s) where they intend to practice. While the Integrative Psychology Institute supports students pursuing licensure in states where the program is aligned with board requirements, the institute cannot guarantee licensure approval in states where alignment has not been established or for international licensure.

If you have questions about licensure, please refer to the provided resources or contact your intended jurisdiction’s licensing board for clarification.

4. Will I be able to transfer credits from previous training towards the degree?

Yes. All training hours from our Psychosomatic Practitioner training will go towards this degree. We also accept transfer credits from non-conventional education like yoga trainings, massage training, and other integrative health education. These will be assessed during your official enrollment process.

5. What are the pre-requisites? Do I need a Bachelors degree?

You do not need a bachelors degree to take our courses. However, if you want to seek your Masters Degree through us, you do need a Bachelors degree in any subject to qualify. If you do not have a Bachelors degree, you can complete one concurrently while enrolled, or take our coursework as professional certifications.