MA in Clinical Psychology, Healthy Aging

Lend strength to older adults and their families.

Older adults are the world’s fasted growing most underserved population and the demand for practitioners with expertise in working with this population has far outpaced availability. This program focuses not only on the psychological, physical, and social needs of adults over the age of 50 as well as their families, but also on the resilience and strengths within this population from an holistic perspective (looking at the whole person in their system). In this concentration you will gain information and skills to help people overcome the life challenges that evolve individuals age including strategies to shore up families and other supports. With a unique emphasis on strength-based, holistic approaches, you will learn perspectives and interventions uniquely geared towards this important and expanding population. You will be proud to complete MA in Clinical Psychology concentration in Healthy Aging, which earned AUSB the CAMFT Award for Outstanding School, recognizing the program’s innovative model of education for future professional providers of mental health services to our country’s fastest-growing and most underserved population – older adults and their families.

This degree is offered by AU Santa Barbara.

Program Overview

AUSB’s Healthy Aging concentration is unique in its focus on a strength-based, holistic counseling approach that supports resilience in older adults and their families. Students in the Healthy Aging concentration meet all course requirements towards MFT licensure while focusing on the psychological, physical, and social needs as well as strengths of this growing population of older adults and their families.

The concentration includes:

• All of the courses required for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist in the 95-unit program
• Assessment and counseling skills around the challenges and opportunities of healthy aging from a wellness/holistic perspective
• Support and prevention resources for families and caretakers of older individuals
• Emergency and crisis intervention training
• Clinical on-site training in the field and supervision in working with clients in this population

Degree Requirements

Requirements

• Total Units 95 for Healthy Aging MFT (or 104 units with optional 9th quarter MFT/LPCC track).
• This concentration meets the educational requirements for California licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist with a concentration in counseling with older adults.

Course Sequence

Fall Quarter:

• Theories of Psychotherapy in Context
• Human Development and Diversity
• Multicultural Awareness: Self, Culture, and Context
• Crisis, Disaster and Emergency Response*

Winter Quarter:

• Research Methods
• Clinical Skills I: The Psychotherapeutic Relationship
• Contemporary Theories of Psychotherapy
• Social, Cultural, and Systemic Aspects of Aging

Spring Quarter:

• Theories of Family Systems
• Psychological Assessment: Evaluating Individuals and Systems in Context*
• Clinical Skills II: The Psychotherapeutic Process
• Psychopathology
• Group Theories*
• Professional Ethics and the Law

Summer Quarter:

• Psychopathology *
• Clinical Skills with Families and Couples
• Practicum: Professional Orientation -w-
• Domestic Violence: Spousal, Elder and Child Abuse
• Healthy Development Throughout the Aging Process

Fall Quarter:

• Practicum I: Clinical Evaluation and Crisis Intervention with Older Adults
• The Process of Group Psychotherapy
• Psychopharmacology for Therapists*
• Clinical Skills with Older Adults

Winter Quarter:

• Practicum II: Treatment Planning and Clinical Interventions with Older Adults and their Families
• Intimate Relationships
• Substance-Related Disorders and Other Addictive Behaviors*
• Loss and Bereavement Through the Life Cycle -w-

Spring Quarter:

• Practicum III: Case Conceptualization with Older Adults and their Families
• Advanced Family Therapy: Special populations -w-
• Psychotherapy with Children and Adolescents
• Community Mental Health
• Substance-Related & Co-Occurring Disorders in the Older Adult*

Summer Quarter:

• Practicum IV: Integrating Clinical Skills with Older Adults and their Families
• Advanced Family Therapy: Evidence-Based Practice*
• Trauma Counseling
• Human Sexuality and Counseling

Optional LPCC coursework:

• Evaluation Outcome and Research*
• Social and Cultural Factors of Assessment and Evaluation*
• Career Theories and Practice in the System *
• Psychopharmacology for Therapists *

* = online/hybrid or weekend
w = weekend only

Some examples of past programs and events:

A Caregiver Support Training Grant awarded by the Santa Barbara Foundation and in partnership with Family Service Agency (Santa Barbara)  provided scholarships for Healthy Aging Trainees for over five years

Caring Together Caregiver Symposium

The MA in Clinical Psychology program partnered with the Santa Barbara Family Service Agency and Alzheimer’s Association to present Caring Together Caregiver Symposium. Below are videos of the Keynote Presentation “Finding Gratitude and Positive Meaning in Family Caregiving” with Barry J. Jacobs, PsyD and Julia L. Mayer, PsyD and a panel discussion with professional representatives of organizations serving caregivers, as well as a Q & A session.

BA-to-Grad Pathway

Eligible undergraduate students can fast track their graduate degree, including our MFA, MA in Clinical Psychology, or PsyD in Clinical Psychology programs, by applying for admission through one of AUSB’s Pathway programs. Those accepted receive grants applied toward BA tuition. Learn more about our BA Pathway programs.