Chapter 2 | What Makes Us Different | MA in Counseling Psychology

At Bastyr, we don’t just set you up to earn a Master’s in Counseling Psychology and go on to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) or a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). We teach the interdisciplinary fundamentals of holistic, whole-person wellbeing, so that you can apply the knowledge, compassion, and skills needed in the field of counseling psychology.

Psychology has been around for centuries, dating back to 500 BC, however, most advances have been made over the past century. At Bastyr, we continue to stay up-to-date and take a fresh approach to mental health counseling, while building off of a firm foundation in science. Here, you’ll foster a deeper understanding of mind and body as you approach individual and societal mental health through an integrative lens. But that’s not all.

There are so many reasons our regionally accredited, stand-alone two-year graduate program helps diversify students in the counseling space.

Why Bastyr?

Bastyr University has paved the way as a pioneer in science-based natural medicine, and is recognized as a leading health arts and sciences university. As a student in Bastyr’s graduate counseling psychology program, you’ll gain the practical skills and confidence you need to bring a truly innovative and holistic approach that focuses on whole-person well-being.

The program is conveniently offered at both of our campuses: Seattle, Washington and San Diego, California. The course format accommodates both traditional students and working professionals who desire nontraditional course scheduling, and facilitates intensive and meaningful learning opportunities that help train exceptional clinicians. We emphasize and teach the responsibility and ethics to treat every patient as one of us, with human dignity and respect.

We also offer real-word experience at the Bastyr Center. With thousands of patient visits annually, Bastyr Center offers a valuable opportunity for you to interact with a culturally diverse client population. Through this clinical experience, you'll learn to recognize health conditions and support clients in dealing with multiple psychological disorders.

This real-world, hands-on experience will prepare you to become a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC in Washington) or licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC in California), guided by experienced mental health professionals from Bastyr's clinical faculty.