Doctor of East-West Psychology

Our Approach

The mission of the Ph.D. in East-West Psychology at CIIS is to explore the convergence of Eastern, Western, and Indigenous psychologies and spiritualities in the spirit of dialogue and integral inquiry. Our students engage in research subjects that explore the meaning of this convergence for a diverse, multicultural, and peaceful world.

We encourage students to build bridges between disciplines or fields of research (e.g., psychoanalysis and Buddhism), research methodologies (e.g., theoretical, phenomenological, narrative, heuristic), approaches to knowledge e.g., (using first-, second-, and third-person standpoints), and epistemologies (e.g., Eastern contemplative and Western scientific).

East-West Psychology students contribute their expertise to the expansive field of integral philosophies through original research for their dissertation. Many students use their dissertation to contribute to growing bodies of research in areas such as mindfulness, somatic spirituality, eco-psychology, Indigenous and earth-based wisdom, community-building, restorative justice, integral yoga, and non-ordinary states of consciousness.

Career Paths

Upon graduation, students are prepared for a wide variety of careers. By utilizing integral approaches and the versatile skill set conferred by our rigorous academic training, graduates find success and fulfillment as:

• Educators, researchers, and writers
• Advocates, activists, and community organizers
• Environmental stewards and eco-leaders
• Entrepreneurs and consultants
• Counselors and mental health para-professionals
• Non-profit leaders

Curriculum

The Ph.D. in East-West Psychology at CIIS consists of 40 units of online or in-person coursework, including an introductory course with a retreat component, two comprehensive exams, proposal writing, and dissertation research. Students work closely with their advisors to design an individualized curriculum and participate in research classes designed to help articulate their dissertation research project.

Curriculum Highlights

EWP 6329 Conscious Diversity: Inner and Outer—A Diversity Process Class (2 units) We live in a diverse world and need to be able to respond appropriately, not just from the heart, not just from the mind, but from skillful means, in ways that enhance cross-cultural relationships, value differences, and deepen one's ability to act responsibly, think critically, and negotiate borders that might otherwise divide. This course will draw upon the inspiration and work of Arnold Mindell and his application of Process Work (Process Oriented Psychotherapy), World Work and Deep Democracy, in order to gain skills that will cultivate awareness, cultural sensitivity, and inclusivity. Students will acquire tools and concepts designed to resolve tensions, utilize strengths, support collaboration, and create welcoming environments. Students will begin to learn how to become skillful practitioners, facilitators, and changemakers, modeling the world they want by the way they work with themselves. It is up to each of us to contribute to a new tomorrow, a diverse rich world, where everyone feels at home. 

EWP 6245 Archetypal Psychology (3 units) James Hillman, founder of Archetypal Psychology, bases his explorations on a complex metaphorical strand derived primarily from many of C. G. Jung's ideas, methods, and deeper attitudes. However, Jung often focuses his psychology on more structural and conceptual methods and assumptions, whereas Hillman speaks of his grounding as "soul-making" based upon imagination or a "poetic basis of mind." In dream explorations, as well as in other interpretative work, one finds Archetypal Psychology to be polytheistic and radically multiplistic, yet exact. "Stick to the image," insisted Rafael Lopez-Pedraza, an early co-founder. "Save the phenomena!" cried Hillman in those earliest rollicking gatherings. These two mottos define and insist on a specific discipline of imaginal work. This course will focus on working with dreams using this archetypal approach. Assumptions, methodology, and further implications will be thoroughly explored using dream material brought to class by the participants.

EWP 6326 Chinese Body-Mind Healing Systems: An Interdisciplinary Approach (3 Units) This course adopts an interdisciplinary approach drawing on Chinese philosophy and cultural history, anthropology, and psychology to the study of Chinese body-mind healing systems. We will study and analyze the basic concepts and theories of traditional Chinese medicine in its intellectual and cultural context. The course will emphasize the following components: (i) comprehensive study of fundamental concepts and theories of traditional body-mind healing systems, such as Qi, heart-mind, yin yang, five phrases, manifestations of internal organ systems, meridians, including original source materials in English translation; (ii) practice basic diagnostic skills and traditional Chinese health regimens; and (iii) critically assessing contemporary globalization and integration of traditional medicines in Western health system.