Somatic Psychology

Concentration

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Concentration Description

The Somatic Psychology concentration emphasizes coursework aligned with professional practice in contexts such as somatic education, psychotherapy practice, health and wellbeing coaching, employee wellness programs. The approach to learning somatic psychology at Meridian University is rooted in the transformative learning paradigm at the heart of Meridian’s programs, with a particular emphasis on embodied approaches to teaching and learning.

Embodied pedagogy draws on the scholarly research in education that understands the lived experience of the body as a legitimate but marginalized source of knowledge, and the cultivation of deeper access to embodied knowledge as an opportunity for students to develop a locus for authoritative knowing embedded in their own bodily experience. Because the body features prominently in the articulation of social difference, helping students become more attentive to the embodied interactions in the classroom also supports them to be more skillful in the navigation of power differentials in relationships with others.

Practices, methods, ideas, and topics engaged within this concentration’s courses, by way of example, include: Body metaphors, nonverbal felt experience, embodiment, historical trauma.

"... for that called Body is a portion of the Soul as discerned by the five Senses..."

William Blake

Sample Courses

Leadership and Embodiment

Foundations of Somatic Psychotherapy

The Poetic Body

Approaches to Somatic Psychology

Cultivating the Senses

Movement Practices and Cognitive Development

"We’re living in a time where the reset button of history has been hit. Radical social, economic and environment changes are becoming the norm and creating a rapidly changing world that demand new patterns of thinking, being and doing for our own personal development, as well as for collective well being."

— Jean Houston Chancellor, Meridian University

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Academic Structure

Meridian’s academic structure gives students the flexibility to navigate the University’s curricular architecture in ways that match their passions, professional goals, and other life commitments.

The structure is designed to serve a diverse student body, who live around the globe, have varied cultural and clinical visions for their careers, and are at different stages in their professional journey.

Students enroll in a degree program, can elect a concentration, and register for one or multiple courses each quarter. In addition to core courses for the specific degree program and anchor courses that represent the Transformative Learning intent of Meridian’s curriculum, students select elective courses that align with their Meridian concentration, background, and career path.

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Learning Formats

Meridian University offers two learning formats: Online and Hybrid.

The Online format is ideal for students completing their degrees remotely, combining synchronous and asynchronous learning.
The Hybrid format is tailored for those seeking a blend of online learning and in-person classes at Meridian’s Los Angeles Campus.

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Introducing Unique Impact Scholarships

Available to Meridian University students worldwide, Meridian University's Impact Scholarships represent the University's commitment to supporting graduates to take transformative action in the fields of Business, Education, Leadership, and Psychology.