Philosophy & Mission

Southwestern College has a broad-based poly-theoretical and multicultural approach to understanding human functioning and growth. Mainstream theoretical approaches including cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, systems, and psychodynamic are presented and applied as solid foundational bases for practice and licensure. Many other cutting-edge approaches such as transpersonal, somatic therapy, biopsychology, ecopsychology and energy psychology form a holistic perspective, making Southwestern College a progressive training institution in touch with ancient world wisdom and modern social science traditions as well as current developments in the ever more complex fields of counseling and psychology.

While studying and learning to apply these theories and conceptual models, students are encouraged to engage in deep reflection, self-exploration, body-awareness and a spiritual practice of their choice. The guiding philosophy is that the greater one's own self-knowledge across all dimensions of living, the more effective, intentional and conscious each student will be as a professional helper or healer. At Southwestern College experiential learning engages the student in a process of practicing active counseling skills while drawing from their own life experience, inner knowing, and wisdom. This is perhaps the signature component of the training experience.

At Southwestern College, transformational education fosters a climate of innovation in learning. Theoretical knowledge, professional skills and character development serve the life goals of the student and the developmental needs of society. Students clarify their values and apply them in new ways as they reflect on their psychological processes and learn to facilitate change in others.

At Southwestern College , transformational education is:

Person-Centered. We recognize the student at the heart of the learning experience and call forth the potential for development and service from each person.

Holistic. We facilitate intellectual, emotional and spiritual development. We foster growth through an integrated approach to learning the theories of psychotherapy.

Experiential. We teach concepts through experience, interweaving academic and applied learning. We promote the development of knowledge, skills and character strength.

• Reflective. We create a conscious dialogue between theory and experience. This fosters self-awareness as a foundation for professional practice.
  
  Somatic. We introduce body psychotherapy through movement disciplines and awareness exercises.

The mission of Southwestern College is to:

• promote lifelong learning through innovative educational programs that incorporate academic and experiential learning;
• provide graduate-level degree programs that prepare students to become helping professionals; and
• provide professional development and personal growth opportunities through non-degree programs and community services.

Southwestern College strongly promotes a holistic approach to counselor training and development. By guiding student through profound intentional, transformational experiences, we prepare them to be conscious, effective, professional agents of change. Our belief is that more global movement toward peace and understanding begins at these very personal levels and ripples outward through our therapeutic efforts.

Read more about our master's degree programs and our certificate programs.