An interview with Psy.D. Clinical Psychology Alumna Johanna Hays, Psy.D.

I received my BA in Psychology from California State University Northridge in 2007, and completed my MA in Counseling Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute in 2009.

I completed my doctoral degree from Pacifica in December 2013 and conducted my research on the integration of Somatic Experiencing® with psychodynamic psychotherapy. Concurrent with my doctoral studies, I completed the three-year Somatic Experiencing® certification and currently have a private practice in which I integrate both SE and hypnotherapy together to work with individuals who experience symptoms of trauma and pain.

I attended the Hypnotherapy Motivation Institute in 2005 prior to beginning my graduate studies, and it was this connection to the unconscious and the power of image and story that resonated with me at Pacifica.

An interview with Ph.D. Clinical Psychology Alumnus Doug Henry, Ph.D.

What was your work path, following graduation from Pacifica?

I went to work full-time for four years in the inpatient psychiatric unit at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital where I did evaluations, group, individual, and family therapy, was also in private practice in SB, and did training and consulting work with the SBPD (Hostage) Negotiation Team and the CIT – Crisis Intervention Team of the SBPD as well.

After working with acute patients, I was eager for a change. While locked inpatient hospital work is terrific training - you really see crises so often that you are less likely to be shocked or flustered over time - it is difficult and even unhealthy, for many psychologists, to sustain this for long periods. My next position was as lead assessor for Santa Barbara County department of Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Services (ADMHS), in the Calle Real Adult Outpatient Clinic. Upon licensure in California I was promoted becoming fluent in managing teams of mental health professionals. This too was a tremendously valuable experience: I gained insight how to be effective in an environment where clinicians are overloaded by the number of patients seeking services and the scope of their needs. As we all know, this is characteristic of the majority of the behavioral health systems in the U.S., particularly public systems.

A guest post by Somatic Studies student Cacky Mellor

The Depth Psychology with an emphasis in Somatic Studies program at Pacifica was recommended to me during my senior year of undergrad. From research online and talking with mentors, I knew immediately this was my dream program. This belief was reaffirmed three years later when I stepped onto campus for the first time on the first day of classes.

A guest post by alumnae Stacey Shelby, Ph.D.

My first career was as a marketing and communications executive for 15 years prior to coming to Pacifica.  When I enrolled, I was in the throes of a full-scale “midlife crisis,” which included being finished with my marketing career, but I was lost and bewildered about what I wanted next.  I initially dipped my toe in at Pacifica by taking the Dream Tending intensive public course with Dr. Aizenstat, founder and then-president of Pacifica.  During that time, I became enamored with Pacifica and was drawn to the MA/PhD Depth Psychology Program.  I remained perplexed as to what might manifest after, but being at Pacifica felt like coming home – both to myself and to my tribe, that feeling was my compass. 

A guest post by Aaron Mason; M.A. in Engaged Humanities and the Creative Life Program Alumnus; 2015

"...we are here becoming depth psychologists and doctors of stories and working with the soul of the world..."

PGIAA Proudly Announces the 2015 Recipients of the Wendy Davee Award for Service and the Chancellor's Award for Excellence

Award Ceremony to be held Friday, January 16^th
at 2015 Annual Meeting -“Coming Home”

 
We are honored to announce the recipients of two annual awards presented by the Alumni Association in partnership with Pacifica’s Office of the Chancellor.  Our recipients will be honored during the Association’s upcoming Annual Meeting, “Coming Home”.  Plan now to join us for The Chancellor’s Opening Reception as we celebrate our alums.

• December 16- The Community Psychology, Liberation Psychology, and Ecopsychology fieldwork presentations
• January 16-18- Pacifica's Alumni Association Annual Meeting
• January 21-24- Dream Tending 2015 Certificate Program
• January 25- Earth Charter Meeting
• January 28- Book signing and reception
• January 29- Shakespeare in Depth: A Four-Week Online and Weekend Residential Workshop with Susan Rowland
• February 7- The Pacifica Experience