Helping Foster Children Through Dream Work and Other Depth Psychological Tools

Posted by Melissa Ruisz Nazario on Oct 29, 2018 11:00:00 AM

A blog post by Melissa Ruisz Nazario, based on an interview with Mai Breech, conducted by Bonnie Bright, Ph.D.

Listen to the full audio interview with Mai Breech here. (approx. 27 minutes)

Mai Breech, a Psy.D. doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute, has a long history of working with orphans and foster children. In 2007, she founded the Children’s Art Village, a grassroots non-profit organization providing art and music to children in Ghana, India, and Nepal so that they can express their creative selves through a means that doesn’t require language, but rather utilizes their creativity. Over the years, the Children’s Art Village has served over 3,000 children annually, and continues to do so. Typically, the programs are summer programs, offering art and music camps for these children in very different orphanages that she partners with. 

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Posted in: The Psyche, Therapist, Trauma, Psychotherapy, clinical psychology, Psychology, graduate school, creativity, depth psychology, dreams, Pacifica Students, Pacifica Graduate Institute, relationship, relationships

Trauma is Remembered in the Body: How Somatic Studies Can Help Heal Homeless Youth and Beyond

Posted by Melissa Ruisz Nazario on Sep 21, 2018 5:15:00 PM

A blog post by Melissa Ruisz Nazario, based on an interview with Daniel Ballin, LCSW, conducted by Bonnie Bright, Ph.D.

Listen to the full audio interview with Daniel Ballin here. (approx. 31 minutes)

“Somatic studies” is an umbrella term that includes somatic psychology (working with the experience of the body to support mental health), somatic movement therapy(working with the experience of the body to promote improved movement functioning), and many forms of complementary and alternative medicine. A somatic perspectivealso flourishes within the fields of education, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, performance studies, and dance. [1]

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Posted in: Trauma, Alumni, Psychology, graduate school, depth psychology, Pacifica Graduate Institute, somatic

“All Psychology is Depth Psychology” and 6 Other Thought-Provoking Ideas That Will Change Your View of Depth Psychology

Posted by Krystyna Knight on Aug 10, 2018 8:43:38 AM

A blog post by Melissa Ruisz Nazario, based on an interview with Jesse Jacob conducted by Bonnie Bright, PhD

Listen to the full audio interview with Jesse Jacob here. (approx. 31 minutes)

Jesse Jacob does not settle for status quo assumptions or lazy thinking in depth psychology. He finds the term “depth psychology” strange because it implies other psychologies are then shallow. A 4th year Clinical Psychology PsyD student at Pacifica, Jesse previously studied language to understand how it shapes and affects an individual’s thinking. In his interview with Bonnie Bright, he provides alternative perspectives on commonly used depth psychological phrases and concepts. For example, he recalls a fellow student in his cohort saying, “Depth psychologists treat the whole person,” to which Jesse responded, “So do other psychologies only treat half the person?”

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Posted in: clinical psychology, Psychology, graduate school, depth psychology, Pacifica Graduate Institute, Spiritual

Student Services at Pacifica

Posted by Krystyna Knight on Jul 9, 2018 10:37:09 AM

Many students and alumni have said that when they started their academic careers at Pacifica, they did so because it felt like they had found their calling, or that they had come home. Some say that is due to the tranquil and meditative environments our campuses provide for learning and growth. Another reason, however, is due to the student services we provide here. When you come to Pacifica, you not only join an inclusive learning community of students, but you also gain access to dedicated and caring Student Services departments throughout your entire academic career here.

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Posted in: graduate school, Education, Pacifica Graduate Institute, student services, resources

MA Counseling Psychology: 2018 Thesis Presentation Day

Posted by Krystyna Knight on May 21, 2018 1:15:30 PM

The Friday before commencement is the M.A. Counseling Psychology Program's Thesis Presentation Day. Students who wish to present their thesis to fellow classmates, family, staff, and professors have the opportunity to showcase their research findings and experiences throughout the process. Today we would like to highlight all of the presenters and the titles of their papers. Thesis presentations for the M.A. Counseling Psychology Program will take place on Friday, May 25th at Pacifica's Ladera Lane Campus from 9am to 5 pm in Classrooms A, B, and G, with lunch to be served from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm.  This event is free and open to the public.

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Posted in: Counseling Psychology, Pacifica Events, Pacifica News, graduate school, Pacifica Students, Pacifica Graduate Institute

Dissertation Award of Excellence

Posted by Krystyna Knight on May 11, 2018 3:15:33 PM

Pacifica Graduate Institute confers the annual Dissertation Award of Excellence to recognize original research that significantly contributes to the field of depth psychology or mythological studies. Entries are based on the presentation and clarity of ideas, sound methodology and interpretation of findings, innovative quality, and contribution to the field of depth psychology or mythological studies.

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Posted in: graduate school, Education, Pacifica Students, Pacifica Graduate Institute

My first days at Pacifica: First year student reflections

Posted by Nikole Hollenitsch on Feb 14, 2018 3:16:01 PM

My Pacifica Experience. A guest post by Somatic Studies Specialization student Chanda Williams.

1. Leading up to the start of classes, what excited you most about the program and Pacifica?

I feel as if this has been a decision long in progress. Since I learned about Pacifica, I was intrigued and wanted to study in all of the programs! So I needed time to get clarity regarding my passions and my work in the world. I was most excited to see the reading list for my Somatic Studies courses, and to discover that I already owned a few of the books. I considered that to be a great sign that I am on the right path. I also looked forward to meeting my cohort and learning more about them.

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Posted in: graduate school, Pacifica Students, Pacifica Graduate Institute, somatic

The Thomas Fire | Office of Admissions at Pacifica Graduate Institute

Posted by Nikole Hollenitsch on Dec 12, 2017 1:25:52 PM

Dear Prospective Students,

We want to thank you for your patience and understanding as we respond to the impeding Thomas Fire. As of right now, voluntary evacuation orders are in effect for residential neighbors near our Lambert Road Campus and mandatory evacuation orders have been given to our residential neighbors near our Ladera Lane Campus here in Santa Barbara.

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Posted in: Pacifica News, graduate school, Pacifica Graduate Institute

My first days at Pacifica: First year student reflections

Posted by Nikole Hollenitsch on Nov 10, 2017 2:57:14 PM

My Pacifica Experience. A guest post by Mythological Studies student Carol Myers.

Pacifica reached out and hooked me initially, with a presentation by Pacifica Mythological Studies graduate Kwame Scruggs. Last fall, I heard him speak briefly about his work with young men in Akron, Ohio, using myth and drumming. I liked his attitude and the way his head and heart worked, and I thought Pacifica and the Mythological Studies Program had something to do with that. In no time at all, I started the application process. I also attended the Pacifica Experience day in January of 2017. In spite of temperatures in the 30’s and relentless rain, there was a warmth and energy I liked. In particular, I recall the panel of students representing several programs offered at Pacifica. One of the students representing the Mythological Studies Program was Leonora Francesca ; I liked the way she spoke and I liked the way she thought. And I figured Pacifica and the Mythological Studies Program had something to do with that. I also met countless other students in several programs: administrators, teaching faculty, and staff who were marvelous! And I thought Pacifica had a lot to do with that! In addition, of course, I thoroughly explored the website, blog, videos, and catalog, all of which shined with energy, ideas, and creativity in action.

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Posted in: graduate school, Pacifica Graduate Institute, integrative therapy

What’s It Like to Come to Class at Pacifica?

Posted by Nikole Hollenitsch on Oct 25, 2017 10:34:50 PM

A guest post by Craig Chalquist, Ph.D.

On my first day of class I was nervous. Probably all of us were. The catastrophe of 9/11 gave all we did an added poignancy, raising the question of what we were there for in the face of such tragedy and its fallout.

At Pacifica we sit in a circle, which could be daunting at first for the shy, but I was relieved to see a small group of us. That, I came to realize, was the norm at Pacifica.

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Posted in: graduate school, Pacifica Graduate Institute