Specialization in Holistic Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The specialization in holistic clinical mental health counseling prepares students to understand clients from a body/mind/spirit and systems perspective. Designed for students who are interested in licensure as a mental health counselor, Salve Regina's program meets licensure requirements for many states throughout the country.

Our program is drawn from wisdom in many fields, including counseling, psychology, neuroscience, holistic foundations, multicultural and anti-oppressive studies, and transformative and constructivist theory. The specialization creates a foundational perspective to mental health, focusing on self-awareness around issues of intersectionality, privilege and oppression, with the purpose of helping students understand their impact on clients and the larger system.

Students receive training and work in a variety of clinical settings, incrementally increasing their ability to serve individuals and groups. Students are trained to better understand clients from a developmental perspective and consider multicultural factors such as ethnicity, race, religion, gender, disability, size, socioeconomic status, and sexual and affectional orientation.

Course Requirements

19 courses | 60 credits

Required courses:

• COU500: Professional Orientation and Ethics
• COU501: Human Growth and Development
• COU502: Cultural Equity in Counseling
• COU503: Theories of Counseling
• COU505: Trauma Informed Counseling
• COU506: Research Methods
• COU513: Working with Intimate Relationships in Counseling
• COU515: Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
• COU518: Assessment and Appraisal
• COU526: Group Process
• COU527: Career Counseling
• COU535: Substance Use in Counseling
• COU541: Capstone: Integrated Meaning Through Action and Advocacy
• HLC504: Holistic Foundations
• HLC505: Interpersonal Helping Skills
• HLC507: The Body Mind Connection
• One elective course, chosen in consultation with the faculty advisor

Clinical requirements:

• COU551: Practicum in Counseling
• COU590: Internship and Seminar I
• COU591: Internship and Seminar II

These courses include 600 hours of clinical training in mental health settings, 45 hours of clinical supervision in the community and more than 100 hours of clinical supervision in the classroom.

Clinical training emphasizes ethical practices, holistic understanding related to biopsychosocial case conceptualization, diagnosis and treatment planning, and understanding the impact of various systems within a client’s life. By exploring the therapeutic relationship between the client and the counselor, our students obtain a better understanding of the role of marginalization and privilege within the counselor-client experience.

State Licensing Requirements

Licensure requirements vary from state to state, and our program meets the academic requirements for most states. Following completion of the master’s degree in clinical counseling with a specialization in holistic clinical mental health counseling, students can apply to become a clinical mental health counselor-associate (LMHC-A). At the second tier of licensure (LMHC), students complete 2,000 hours of supervised clinical internship with an on-site supervisor who meets licensure standards, and are required to take the licensure exam. No University supervision is required past the 60-credit degree. Licensed mental health counselors must obtain continuing education after graduation; required hours vary based on state regulations.

We recommend that students research the specific requirements for licensed mental health counselors in the state where they intend to practice. Licensing laws and regulations vary across states and can change from year to year. Salve Regina is not responsible for knowing the requirements of states other than Rhode Island. It is the student's responsibility to know the licensure requirements in the state where they intend to practice.