Behavioral Medicine

Behavioral Medicine is an interdisciplinary field concerned with the development and integration of sociocultural, psychosocial, behavioral and biomedical knowledge relevant to health and wellness. Through the study of interactions of behavior with biology and the environment, this emerging field seeks to improve the health and well-being of individuals, families, communities and populations. Questions to be explored include "How are psychologists preparing themselves to work in an integrated health care system?" and "What practices are emerging at the intersection and creative edge of medical care and behavioral health?" We will work with case studies on how behavioral medicine is being integrated into medical care in disease prevention, health promotion, treatment and rehabilitation settings.

We will explore the theoretical foundations of behavioral medicine within an integrative healthcare model, as well as engage in mind-body practices and expressive arts therapy laboratories from a transpersonal psychological orientation. Applied paraprofessional skills training will focus on energy psychology, applied kinesiology, somatic practices, qigong and mindfulness in psychotherapy. The program will include a variety of approaches to learning including seminar, theoretical assessments, open space learning formats, dialogue and extended workshop learning modalities. Students will be supported in developing practices based on the principles of behavioral medicine and in developing project studies in this field. This program is of interest to students considering careers as health care practitioners.