Founded in 1973, CIIS's Integral Counseling Psychology program was the first transpersonally oriented, East-West psychology graduate program in the world. The program's groundbreaking vision of psychotherapy practice draws upon the major spiritual traditions of the East and of the West; recent cultural and social sciences research; and the innovations made by contemporary psychoanalytic, humanistic, systemic, and transpersonal psychologies.

The Integral Counseling Psychology program is unique in that it adheres to the guidelines of the major professional organizations in the field, while at the same time it incorporates the integral philosophy of the late Haridas Chaudhuri, CIIS's founder. Chaudhuri believed that "integral" meant "essential to wholeness." According to his view, all aspects of a person's being are important and of value. Integral psychology holds that the individual can and should turn inward in the search for wisdom and effective energy, and then share this wisdom with the broader community. The Integral Counseling Psychology curriculum integrates a spiritual perspective with actual psychotherapy practice. The transpersonal orientation provides an overarching framework for clinical training in depth therapy.

In the context of a supportive community of faculty and students, the program offers rigorous clinical training and psychotherapeutic practice. It also integrates experiential and theoretical approaches to learning in order to promote a deepened personal awareness.

Graduates earn an M.A. in Counseling Psychology, fulfilling all academic requirements for the state of California license in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT).

FLEXIBLE WEEKEND OPTION AVAILABLE The Integral Counseling Psychology program at CIIS offers a flexible weekend option designed for working adults and students who plan on completing the program within 2 ½ years. This option is based on a strict cohort model, which means students enter and complete the program as a group, creating a network of support that not only facilitates learning during study, but also one that continues when graduates transition into their counseling careers. Students attend 10 weekend sessions from September through May, and one weeklong retreat in August. ICP Intensive and Cohort Dates