In today’s fast-paced and often overwhelming world, mental health and wellness have moved into the spotlight. People are increasingly realizing that traditional methods of therapy—often focused solely on cognitive approaches—can miss crucial aspects of the human experience. As individuals become more aware of the interplay between their emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual lives, there’s a rising demand for holistic and integrative approaches in psychology.

If you’re passionate about psychology and wellness, and you’re seeking a Master’s in holistic psychology that can truly integrate these dimensions, the MA in Integrative Psychology from the Integrative Psychology Institute might be exactly what you’re looking for.

What is Holistic Psychology?

Holistic psychology recognizes that mental wellness can’t be achieved by focusing on thoughts or behaviors alone. Instead, it emphasizes treating individuals as complex, interconnected beings. This perspective integrates mental, emotional, physical, relational, and spiritual health into one comprehensive approach.

The Integrative Psychology Institute expands upon these foundations, delivering an education that doesn’t isolate one method over another but weaves multiple modalities into a powerful therapeutic framework.

The Power of Integrative Psychology

Traditional psychological training often limits itself to cognitive-behavioral methods, ignoring essential components such as the body, relationships, and existential aspects of human experience. In contrast, integrative psychology bridges multiple therapeutic disciplines, creating therapists equipped to respond flexibly to diverse client needs.

At the Integrative Psychology Institute, students gain skills in several vital areas:

Somatic Therapy: Understanding how the body and nervous system directly influence emotional and psychological health.
Attachment-Based Therapy: Addressing early relational patterns and their lasting impacts on adult behavior and relationships.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Techniques to restructure thoughts, behaviors, and emotional responses.
Functional Medicine & Human Optimization: How nutrition, lifestyle, and biological factors affect mental health.
Spiritual and Existential Psychology: Deep exploration of purpose, meaning, and connection to something beyond oneself .

An Integrative Curriculum Rooted in Ancient Wisdom

The Integrative Psychology Institute bases its philosophy on the profound ancient metaphor from Plato, who described human nature as a chariot guided by a charioteer and drawn by two distinct horses—a disciplined white horse and a wild black horse. This allegory mirrors modern psychology’s understanding of intellect, emotion, and somatic experience.

The institute’s curriculum is carefully crafted around three core human dimensions:

Intellect: Represented by the charioteer, this aligns with executive function, reasoning, and decision-making (our prefrontal cortex).
Identity & Emotion: Symbolized by the white horse, encompassing our sense of self, emotional regulation, and social engagement.
Soma (Body): The black horse represents our instinctive, bodily-felt experience, holding deep patterns of trauma, stress, and unconscious emotions.

Together, these form a holistic foundation for profound therapeutic work, preparing students not only to think integratively but to practice integratively.

Unique Degree Structure: Earn While You Learn

This Master’s holistic psychology degree is designed practically, allowing students to earn credit while building a thriving coaching practice. The program duration is just 18 months, delivered primarily online, with two enriching in-person retreats. This flexibility lets you advance professionally while maintaining your life balance.

Four Specialized Concentrations

Students personalize their educational path in the second year by choosing from four concentrations:

Clinical Somatic Therapy: Advanced body-based therapeutic approaches for trauma and emotional healing.
Psychedelic Therapy: Safe and ethical use of psychedelic-assisted therapies to achieve transformative mental health outcomes.
Addiction Transformation: Integrative treatment methods targeting the root causes of addiction, including trauma-informed and somatic approaches.
Educational Psychology: Strategies for creating trauma-informed educational environments that support emotional and academic success .

Exceptional Faculty and Practical Coursework

The faculty at the Integrative Psychology Institute includes leading therapists, neuroscientists, healers, physicians, nutritionists, and holistic coaches. Courses cover essential topics such as Functional Medicine Approaches to Mental Health, Human Development, Trauma & Attachment, Advanced Integrative Assessment & Treatment Planning, and Ethics & Professional Practice.

Students complete experiential coursework that develops practical therapeutic skills, relational competence, and personal qualities necessary for outstanding holistic practice. The coursework emphasizes real-world applications, mentorship, and personal development.

Accreditation & Licensure Options

The Integrative Psychology Institute recognizes the importance of professional licensure and accreditation. The MA in Integrative Psychology itself is not structured for licensure. However, students interested in licensure have the option to continue into an MS in Clinical Counseling, fulfilling the requirements for licensure across most states and provinces.

The institute is currently pursuing accreditation through the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), with completion expected in alignment with the graduation of the first counseling cohort. This ensures that students intending to pursue licensure can confidently move forward with their professional aspirations.

Career Opportunities for Graduates

Graduates emerge well-prepared for diverse professional roles. Career paths include:

Integrative therapists
Mental health and wellness coaches
Holistic practitioners
Educators and school counselors
Consultants for corporate wellness programs

Graduates frequently establish successful private practices or contribute significantly within healthcare settings, educational institutions, and community organizations.

Admissions & Financial Aid

Applicants do not require prior psychological experience, though an interest in mental health, wellness, and holistic practices is encouraged. The admissions process includes an online application, a short Zoom interview, and a $75 fee.

Tuition is $25,000, and financial aid includes merit-based scholarships covering up to 25% of tuition, private student loans, and flexible payment plans. The institute proudly offers a progressive transfer credit policy, honoring prior professional training in fields such as yoga, massage therapy, Somatic Experiencing, IFS, and other recognized wellness programs .

Flexible Learning Schedule

Courses are structured in manageable 9-week quarters, totaling five quarters per academic year, with scheduled breaks designed to balance studies, work, and personal life. Two short in-person retreats in Portland and Los Angeles further enrich the learning experience .

A New Paradigm in Psychology

The MA in Integrative Psychology from the Integrative Psychology Institute offers a unique opportunity for students seeking meaningful, holistic approaches to mental health. It’s an ideal program for those wishing to integrate cutting-edge psychology with body-centered healing, spirituality, and practical professional skills.

If you’re ready to embark on a transformative educational journey in holistic psychology, the Integrative Psychology Institute warmly invites you to explore this revolutionary master’s degree.

Ready to learn more about how an MA in Integrative Psychology can transform your career and personal growth? Visit our program page, review our detailed program PDF, and schedule your admission interview today.

Holistic Psychology Master’s Degree: Discover a New Approach To Therapy