Graduate Art Therapy Psychology
All classes are offered every other semester unless otherwise noted.
GPY4200 Communication and Counseling Skills (3)
Systematically studies communication skills and the major approaches to family counseling and psychotherapy. Areas such as self awareness, feelings, self-concepts, perception, nonverbal communication, and resolving interpersonal conflicts are addressed through group discussion and experiential exercises. Art Therapy approaches are included and emphasized. Art Therapy History is reviewed in this course.
GPY4205 Advanced Human Development (3)
Prerequisite: PSY2141
Analyzes major approaches to the study of human development throughout the lifespan. Ability to recognize and understand theoretical presuppositions of various approaches to human development from a systemic point of view is emphasized. Art Therapy approaches are included and emphasized.
GPY4210 Methods of Group and Family Therapy (3)
Explores the composition, development, and process of the family and the larger group as a vehicle for individual and social change, including a cursory survey of current group methodologies using verbal and nonverbal modalities. Development of effective interventions and leadership skills is emphasized. Art Therapy approaches are included and emphasized. Art Therapy History is reviewed in this course.
GPY4215 Principles of MFT (3)
Provides an overview of the theoretical concepts from the major theories of family systems therapy with an emphasis on assessment and treatment planning. Assessment and consultation skills are explored. Domestic violence and its effects on the family system are reviewed. Integrates art as a second language in family diagnosis, communication, and treatment. Art Therapy approaches are included and emphasized.
GPY4220 Psychological Assessment I (2)
Studies the design and use of psychological tests of ability, personality, interests, and attitudes. The major intelligence tests and projective tests are emphasized, along with family and art-based assessment.
GPY4225 Psychological Assessment II (1)
Continuation of GPY4220.
GPY4230 Psychopathology (3)
Prerequisite: PSY2157
Systematically examines major paradigms of mental distress including medical, behavioral, and psychosocial models. Primary emphasis is on familiarity with and differential diagnosis of conditions covered by the current DSM.
GPY4235 Substance Abuse: Theory, Assessment, and Intervention Strategies (2)
Issues within the physiological, psychological, social, and familial context are explored using both verbal and nonverbal modalities. Assessment issues are addressed. Treatment interventions appropriate to individuals and families in various phases of recovery are explored through both verbal and nonverbal modalities. Art Therapy approaches are included and emphasized.
GPY4240 Cross-cultural Issues (3)
Studies the effects of ethnicity in the counseling process with attention to the unique cultural traits and symbols of each individual within family structures. Addresses historical, ethical, and socioeconomic issues and their verbal and visual psychological impact. Art Therapy approaches are included and emphasized. Art Therapy History is reviewed in this course.
GPY4245 Human Sexuality (2)
Analyzes normal and dysfunctional sexual behavior with attention to diagnosis of sexual problems and to the major approaches to sex therapy using both verbal and nonverbal modalities.
GPY4250 Psychopharmacology (2)
Participants are provided with an overview and working knowledge of current common psychopharmacological interventions.
GPY4255 Professional Ethics and Law I (2)
Focuses on the laws related to Marital, family, and child counseling and the ethical issues that pertain to the practice of Art Therapy.
GPY4260 Professional Ethics and Law II (1)
Continuation of GPY4255.
GPY4263 Child Abuse (1)
The laws for reporting child abuse are covered. Assessment and treatment are studied and family approaches explored. Art Therapy approaches are included and emphasized. Art Therapy History is reviewed in this course.
GPY4266 Domestic Violence: Assessment and Treatment (1)
Examination of domestic violence from a systems perspective. Students learn how to conduct an in-depth assessment to uncover the forms and patterns of abuse, their impact, and the level of danger. Presentation of the phases of healing and successful intervention strategies is presented. Attention is devoted to the co-occurring addiction, cross-cultural perspectives, and legal and community resources. Art Therapy approaches are included and emphasized.
GPY4268 Starting a Private Practice (1)
Opening and successfully continuing a private practice includes a variety of personal, professional, and ethical considerations. The practice of MFT/Art Therapy does have particular stipulations that one needs to consider such as what type of clients, how to advertise, what should the office include, where to have the practice, keeping files, should you join a consultation group, how to handle taxes, will you include Interns, etc. The participant will have a clear view of what it takes to confidently open your doors to psychotherapy clients.
GPY4269 Eldercare in the 21st Century (1)
Aging in America is rapidly changing. The life span is steadily increasing and seniors are engaged in active living until older and older ages. This course will examine these changes and how they are, and will continue, to impact us as individuals and as a society. We will explore the myths of aging, the way our elders actually live and, finally, how we as a society view and care for them at the end of life. We will also look at the physical, mental, social, emotional and spiritual issues faced by aging people at different "stages" of old age. The central goal of the class will be to provide tools and information to equip art therapists to work with an expanding aging population.
GPY4286 Special Topics in Art Therapy (1-3)
Special Topics courses are 1-3 units and course topics vary each semester. Students are required to take a one-unit class in Special Topics.
GPY4300 Art Therapy Techniques: Group Experience (1)
Provides an opportunity for members to explore group membership and dynamics using art therapy techniques.
GPY4305 Art Therapy Techniques: Special Populations (1)
Focuses on the specific adaptations of art activities for special needs populations.
GPY4310 Art Therapy Techniques: Integrating Creative Arts (1)
Emphasizes integration of creative arts therapies.
GPY4315 Metaphors in Psychopathology: Children (1)
Emphasizes the dynamics, metaphors, and DSM classification of abnormal characteristics, disorders, and behavior. Offers a comprehensive overview of art therapy approaches for children with abnormal characteristics, disorders, and behaviors.
GPY4320 Metaphors in Psychopathology: Adolescents (1)
Offers a comprehensive overview of art therapy approaches for adolescents. Emphasis is on understanding major highlights of normal and pathological developments.
GPY4325 Metaphors in Psychopathology: Adults (1)
Offers a comprehensive overview of art therapy approaches for adults with mental disorders or psychiatric diagnosis as classified in DSM-IV. Emphasis is on acute inpatient treatment from both an individual and group perspective.
GPY4348 Career Counseling (3)
This course is a study of career counseling including theory as well as practical applications. Topics of focus include major career development theories including certification and licensure issues, multicultural counseling, scope of practice in LPCC and Art Therapy. Additional focus will be on assessing interest and ability and strategies for accessing occupational and educational information sources.
GPY4350 Practicum I (3)
Prerequisites: Completion of all prerequisites in art and psychology and at least two courses of the required Art Therapy Master's Core.
Corequisite: GPY4365.
Internship is a 750-hour nonresident period in which the student works with clients in an institutional or community setting. Schedule may be worked out to the advantage of the student and the agency.
GPY4355 Practicum II (3)
Corequisite: GPY4350.
Continuation of GPY4350.
GPY4360 Explorations in Sandplay (1)
This course reviews the basic tenets of sandplay and its use in psychotherapy. The work of founder Dora Kalff is viewed and discussed. Students study sandplay figures and their meaning, especially in the sequencing of trays, with a variety of patients. Experientials and the deepening of symbols are included.
GPY4365 Seminar I (3)
Corequisite: GPY4350.
Provides an opportunity for presentation of cases from the field and feedback from a faculty member and students.
GPY4370 Seminar II (3)
Corequisite: GPY4355.
Continuation of GPY4360.
GPY4384 Research: Methodology (2)
The series of research courses is taken near the end of the program. The research is completed in three segments. In the first segment students examine methods and tools of scientific research and the interpretation of research reports. Art Therapy approaches are included and emphasized.
GPY4396 Research: Project (3)
In the second segment, students submit a research proposal for an in-depth investigation of a clinical topic utilizing an appropriate methodology. Art Therapy approaches are included and emphasized.
GPY4397 Research: Thesis Completion (3)
In the final phase (thesis completion) students submit the formal written presentation. Art Therapy approaches are included and emphasized.
GPY4398 Research: Thesis Extension (1)
The Thesis Extension segment is offered as an alternative to students who do not complete their thesis in the previous three segments.
GPY4400 Trauma and Art Therapy Treatment (1)
Students explore history and verbal and graphic narratives of theory and practice in Trauma. The course features a variety of proven art therapy interventions including "externalized" dialogues and self-soothing clay experience.
GPY4415 Explorations in Art Therapy Literature (1)
An independent study review of classic and recently published literature in the field of art therapy.
GPY4450 Focusing-Oriented Art Therapy (1)
Focusing-Oriented Art Therapy (FOAT) integrates psychologist Eugene Gendlin's Focusing with Art therapy. This course covers basic approaches of FOAT, reflective listening, and application to a variety of clinical populations.
GPY6178 Introduction to Clinical Art Therapy I (1)
Explores the uses of art therapy in schools, special education, and psychiatric settings as well as in personal growth.
GPY6179 Introduction to Clinical Art Therapy II (2)
Continuation of GPY6189.
GPY6400 Trauma and Art Therapy Treatment (1)
Students explore history and verbal and graphic narratives of theory and practice in Trauma. The course features a variety of proven art therapy interventions including "externalized" dialogues and self-soothing clay experience.
GPY6415 Explorations in Art Therapy Literature (1)
An independent study review of classic and recently published literature in the field of art therapy.
GPY6992 Supervised Field Experience (1-3)
Supervised practicum hours for MFT licensure which are not part of the Practicum/Seminar sequence. This course is not a program requirement. Approval is required.