Overview
The Master of Arts Degree in Integrative Health and Healing is a 36-credit degree program which examines health, wellness and illness from a holistic perspective. This approach involves comparing, connecting and integrating conventional, alternative and complementary approaches to promoting health and wellness as well as towards prevention and healing.
This program offers a unique and extraordinary opportunity to study the best of Eastern and Western medicine and psychology in a hands-on, interactive learning environment, providing not only up to date scientific knowledge but also experience and practice of many diagnostic and healing techniques focused on treating the whole person. This enables students who already are health professionals to learn and apply integrative models and methodologies that address health and wellness promotion and/or healing. In addition, the program also aims to expand the knowledge of non-medical “lay-learners” who choose to enroll in the program to develop a better understanding of integrative, alternative and complementary models and treatments and learn how to select and manage them according to their specific cases and needs.
The Master of Arts Degree program has three major components:
First Component:
Students are introduced to the historical origins and the theoretical and methodological foundations of the integrative holistic approach to health and wellness.
Special regard is given to the basic holistic assumptions that:
a) The human being is a complex system, comprised of several interrelated mental and physical sub-systems (cognitive, emotional, neural, endocrine, immune etc.). At the same time, humans are encompassed in social and natural supra-systems (family, society, ecosystem etc.), which influence the functioning of the sub-systems and are subsequently influenced by them, andb) Physical, mental and social well-being are not separate factors but, on the contrary, are interdependent ones.
Second Component:
Students explore a wide variety of Eastern and Western medical and psychological concepts, theories and tools. In this part of the program, some of the approaches we examine are:
Mind-Body Medicine
Chinese Traditional Medicine
Ayurvedic Medicine
Acupuncture
Homeopathy
Integrative Psychotherapy
Mindfulness-based Methodologies
Yoga Postures
Pranayama Breathing Techniques
and many others.
Study emphasizes the need to gain knowledge in various modalities, to integrate diverse perspectives on how the body functions, and to develop a holistic medical model in order to achieve health and wellness. The program also provides explanations, experiences and practices of many diagnostic and healing techniques focused to treat the whole person, thus enabling students to design and apply personalized models of health, wellness and (eventually) healing.
Third Component:
In the third part of the program, students learn why and how the integrative health and healing approach is spreading across our community, due to both its effectiveness (in many cases much higher than that of conventional approach) and its way of managing the relationship with patients (taking a much more human and empathetic approach instead of the conventional impersonal approach). Regarding effectiveness, students will learn that by treating the health of the whole patient – physical, mental, interpersonal and transpersonal/spiritual and not just the immediate symptoms of a specific organ or dimension -- the efficacy of integrated holistic treatments is more long-lasting and with a lower regression rate. Regarding the relations between health professionals and patients, students will learn that the official biomedical model - considering body, mind, spirit, society and environment as separated factors - entrusts the care of the body to doctors, the care of the mind and the emotions to counselors and psychologists, and the care of the spirit to ministers and priests. This results in no one taking care of the whole person and on the contrary considers the patient as a soul-less machine. Today more and more people are tired of being considered as bodies separate from minds separate from the spirit, and are speaking up about having their most elementary rights denied to them as soon as they enter a hospital. They instead want to be considered as whole human beings and treated as such. In this vein, students will learn practical psycho-social tools for managing communication and relationships with clients/patients.
It's important to note that many holistic and naturopathic treatments which have been traditionally considered un-reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses are now being offered within traditional medical establishments as a part of their overall care strategy. The integrative approach does not necessarily imply a higher financial cost of giving or receiving care, but it does open up opportunities for practitioners and patients to explore any and all modalities which may benefit them.
The Master of Arts in Integrative Health and Healing is for:
Women and men who are seeking for a wider conception of health, wellness and healing, both for professional and personal purposes.
Healthcare and wellness professionals (physicians, nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, chiropractors, alternative practitioners, health and wellness coaches etc.) who wish to expand the boundaries of their professional knowledge and skills.
Life coaches, business leaders, organizational developers who wish to enhance their profession with powerful holistic integrative theories and tools.
Teachers and educators who have a holistic conception of education and would like to help students developing not only their knowledge but also their whole person, with special regard to health and wellness.
By taking the Master of Arts in Integrative Health and Healing in combination with the Transformative Coach Training program, you can specialize in Health and Wellness Coaching.
Classes meet on-site one weekend per month (Friday from 5 to 9 pm and Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm and sometimes also Sunday). The degree is completed in 24 months.
The MA in Integrative Health and Healing utilizes an integrated curriculum, where course content is delivered holistically across each of the program’s weekend class sessions.
Areas of focus include:
Adopting Integrative Care in Clinical Environments
Classical Homeopathic Medicine
The Art and Science of Eating
The Philosophy and Practice of Ayurvedic Medicine
Naturopathic Medicine: Philosophy, Principles, and Practice
The Philosophy and Practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Expressive Art Therapy
The Energy Body, the Chakra System, Dowsing, and Shamanism
Health of the Human Spirit: Holistic Stress Management
Active Dreaming for Health and Healing
Cymatics and Cymatherapy: Principles and Practice of Vibrational Healing
Courses and Descriptions (36 credits):
IH 501: Foundations of Integrative Health and Healing - 3 credits
This course introduces students to the major health and healing traditions, and explores their diverse philosophical and practical foundations. Students examine the ancient healing arts, as well as the allopathic, complementary, and alternative practices that have evolved from them. Study emphasizes the need to gain knowledge in various modalities, to integrate diverse perspectives on how the body functions, and to develop a holistic medical model in order to achieve health and wellness.
IH 502: Mind-Body Medicine - 2 credits
Infused with mind, spirit, and energy, the body is so much more than the sum of its physiological parts. In this course, students explore psycho-neural immunology research that demonstrates how the mind-body relationship affects health and healing. Study provides a comprehensive understanding of wellness and preventative practices, such as meditation, relaxation, biofeedback, visualization, guided imagery, hypnosis, dream analysis, psychotherapies, and addiction rehabilitation.
IH 504: Body-Oriented Therapeutic Approaches: Osteopathy, Chiropractic, and Posturology - 3 credits
Health and energy are dynamic states, subject to changing environmental and lifestyle conditions. In this course, healing techniques such as massage, therapeutic touch, chiropractic, energy work, reflexology and holistic posturology are examined in light of their physical, psychological, and bioenergetic effects. Students gain in-depth understanding of selected energy work techniques through direct experience.
IH 506: Eastern Medicine: Ayurveda, Acupuncture, Acupressure, Qi Gong - 4 credits
Classical philosophies of Eastern medicine, such as Ayurveda, Qigong, acupuncture, and acupressure, are analyzed in this course. Students also examine the emergence of Eastern medicine in the West, and are encouraged to explore the complementarity of Eastern and Western modalities. Students gain in-depth understanding of selected techniques through direct experience.
IH 507: Integrative Nutrition - 2 credits
A central tenet of holism is that health evolves within a broader context of ecological and cultural practices, and it is impossible to separate individual health from the health of the whole system. In this course, students explore this “whole systems” metaphor, examining the impact of ecological and cultural practices on broad health related issues. Specifically, diet and nutrition, water purity, and air quality are studied relative to their impact on health and wellness.
IH 508: Aspects of Energy Medicine: Homeopathy, Bio-Energetics, Reflexology - 4 credits
The interconnection between energy, consciousness, and health is an important factor to consider in the development of optimum wellness. This course explores bio-energetic theory and the nature of energy flow. Students examine individual and collective energy systems and modalities such as chakra analysis, homeopathy, and electromagnetism. Consciousness studies are introduced, and students explore synergistic cognitive and affective energy systems that affect health and healing.
IH 509: Alternative Pharmaceuticals: Aromatherapy, Flower Essences, Herbal Remedies, and Neutraceuticals - 2 credits
Allopathic medicine has long relied upon the use of drugs to treat disease. Allopathic pharmaceuticals, however, are not the only substances that have provided extraordinary healing and curative effects throughout history. In this course, allopathic pharmaceuticals are compared to herbal remedies, Chinese medicines, and neutraceuticals. Students analyze the pharmacological effects of various substances by reviewing clinical research, case studies, and other indicators of efficacy. Substances are examined in terms of their healing, preventative, and vitalizing effects.
IH 510: Spirituality and Health - 3 credits
Research demonstrates that spirituality, on both the individual and communal levels, has a profound influence on individuals’ ability to experience health and healing. This course explores the historic traditions of healing that relied primarily on spirituality, religion, and shamanism. Diverse schools of thought are analyzed and compared with major Western and non-Western perspectives. Individual and organized communal prayer and ritualistic practices which function to promote health and healing are also examined relative to their impact on health and wellness.
IH 511: Natural Healing - 3 credits
The belief that technology is able to cure all human suffering has resulted in the near exclusion of alternative and complementary modalities in most allopathic medical centers. This course examines the vis medicatrix naturae (the healing power of nature), which is generally ignored in today’s medical model. Students evaluate the Planetree approach, and examine the role of personal fulfillment, art, music, and humor as viable approaches that facilitate self-healing.
IH 514: A Practitioner’s Mentorship - 3 credits
Students are required to undertake two mentorship experiences. Each mentorship should fall within a self-selected area of interest and should demonstrate professional development and personal growth through disciplined inquiry. The mentorships are conducted with noted practitioners, and each requires a minimum of 45 hours of contact time. Comprehensive reporting is required, including documentation of the experiences, systematic journal keeping, assessment of learned concepts, and formal comprehensive written and oral reports.
IH 516: A Practitioner’s Internship - 3 credits
The internship placement often grows out of the mentorship experience, but differs from the mentorship in its intensity and specificity. The internship is an opportunity for students to engage in supervised independent study, and success is measured against predetermined competencies exhibited onsite in “real” practice situations.
IH 517: Culminating Project - 4 credits
The Culminating Project requires each participant to design, implement, and report on a self-directed project. Each participant is required to conduct an in-depth research study. The research project, based on emerging developments in a unique area of Integrative Health and Healing, must demonstrate rigor in the pursuit of new insights, rigorously pursues new insights, knowledge, and perceptions. This culminating project is reported in a formalized paper and presented to the cohort, demonstrating the final accomplishment of the student within the program.
Full course descriptions are available in our Catalog of Programs
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Artemis Morris, ND - Academic Co-Director
Biography
Dr. Artemis Morris is a Naturopathic Physician, Licensed Acupuncturist, professor of nutrition, researcher, author, and public speaker. Artemis is the co-academic director of the Integrative Health and Healing Program at The Graduate Institute and professor of nutrition at The Human Nutrition Institute at University of Bridgeport, where she also taught nutrition for the Naturopathic Medical School. She completed her Naturopathic Doctorate and Masters in Acupuncture at Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington and has been in practice for over 18 years. Dr. Artemis is the medical director and founder of Artemis Wellness Center, LLC an integrative wellness center that focuses on women’s health and wellness. Artemis has served as the director of the natural health center at Masonic Healthcare Center in Wallingford, the largest geriatric healthcare center in CT where she did research on acupuncture and pain management. Dr. Artemis has been researching the Mediterranean Diet and plants of Crete since 2005 and lectures at medical conferences on The Mediterranean Diet and other natural health topics. Dr Artemis Morris co-authored the book The Anti-Inflammation Diet for Dummies. Her practice philosophy is inspired by the quote from Paracelsus that states, "The art of healing comes from nature and not from the physician. Therefore, the physician must start from nature with an open mind."
artemis@learn.edu
Bernie Siegel, MD - Academic Co-Director
Biography
Bernie Siegel, M.D. excelled at Colgate University and Cornell University Medical College. He completed his surgical residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital and the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. While a pediatric and general surgeon in New Haven, he authored Love, Medicine and Miracles: Lessons Learned About Self-Healing from a Surgeon's Experience with Exceptional Patients, Humor and Healing, and Meditations for Difficult Times. He founded the Exceptional Cancer Patients therapy and healing program in New Haven in 1978. His book Prescriptions for Living was published by Harper Collins in 1998. Bernie's insights on the nature of human experience and the science of medicine are integrated in his unique approach to the practice of healing, and in his view of storytelling and visual arts as paths for creating wellness. His latest book, The Art of Healing (2013), reveals his insights into the healing power of drawings, dreams, and intuition. Visit his website at berniesiegelmd.com.
FACULTY
Gene Ang, Ph.D.
Biography
Gene Ang, PhD, runs a healing practice based at the Mind Body Spirit Center in Westlake Village, CA and sees clients for Pranic Healing, Reconnective Healing, and the Reconnection. He teaches a number of seminars and workshops that focus on the integration of science, spirituality, and healing. Gene was formally trained as a Neurobiologist at Yale University, where he earned his PhD in basic mechanisms of brain development, followed by a post-doctoral fellowship on the effects of ultrasound on the developing cerebral cortex. After completing his post-doctoral fellowship, Gene decided to take on the role as a facilitator for healing through energy medicine. His work centers around aligning the subtle energy body and its channels, meridians, and energy centers to help restore balance and harmony so that healing can occur -- whether it be physical, emotional, mental, and/or spiritual healing.
Ann Marie Chiasson, MD, MPH
Biography
Ann Marie Chiasson MD, MPH, CCFP is Canadian Board Certified in Family Practice and pursued a Fellowship in Integrative Medicine through the University of Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine. Dr. Chiasson holds an MPH in public health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a MD, with honors, from Dalhousie School of Medicine in Nova Scotia, Canada. She completed her residency in Family Medicine in Canada and worked as a primary care physician in Northern Canada for the Central Interior Native Health Service, and in Tucson, Arizona. Dr. Chiasson has also trained with Dr. Brugh Joy (Joy's Way &Avalanche) and Maria Elena Cairo, She works with Dr. Lewis Mehl-Madrona (Coyote Medicine, Coyote Healing, & Coyote Wisdom) co-facilitating Spirituality and Healing conferences. Dr. Chiasson has had extensive experience exploring energy medicine and alternative healing practices including time spent with Mayan shamanic healers and psychic surgeons in the Yucatan peninsula. Currently, Dr. Chiasson has a private integrative and energy medicine practice in Tucson, AZ where she offers consultations, treatments, seminars, and retreats. She also teaches through the Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona. She co-authored with Dr. Andrew Weil Self-Healing with Energy Medicine.
Thomas Giamatteo, DC
Biography
Director of Integrative Wellness Center
Co-Developer of Integrative Manual Therapy (IMT)
President and major formulator of IMT Wellness – a Nutreceutical and Nutritional wellness company for functional medicine and nutrition
Co-founder of the Integrative Manual Therapy Association
Author of over 1700 medical manuals, books and professional publications
Team Chiropractor for Olympic Cycling Team 1996
Fellowship in Manual Medicine & Cranial-sacral Therapies
Certification – Applied Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice
Certificate in Traditional Chines Medicine and Acupuncture
Henry Grayson, Ph.D.
Biography
Dr. Grayson studied and trained at Boston University for his Ph.D. His 4-year post-doctoral certificate from Postgraduate Center for Mental Health. Dr. Grayson it the Founder and Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Trustees of the National Institute for the Psychotherapies, a leading postgraduate training Institute in New York and the Institute for Synergetic Therapy. In addition, he is the Co-Chairman of the medical PTSD Division of the Stand for the Troops Foundation. Dr. Grayson is the author of Your Power to Heal: Resolving Psychological Barriers to Your Physical Health, (Release date: April 2017 from Sounds True), Mindful Loving: 10 Practices for Creating Deeper Connections and the bestselling 9 1/2-hour CD Audio Series for Sounds True, The New Physics of Love: The Power of Mind & Spirit in Relationships. Academic titles include Three Psychotherapies: A Clinical Comparison, Short Term Approaches to Psychotherapy, and Changing Approaches To The Psychotherapies. Dr. Grayson’s professional affiliations include: Fellow of the American Group Psychotherapy Association, Diplomat of the American Board of Professional Psychology; Diplomat and former board member of The Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology, member of the American Psychological Association, The New York State Psychological Association, The Connecticut Psychological Association, The Association for Transpersonal Psychology, The Institute of Noetic Sciences, The Society for the Scientific Study of Subtle Energies Medicine, EMDR International Association, a former Board Member of the Eastern Group Psychotherapy Society, and is the Founder and past President of the Association for Spirituality and Psychotherapy, and a member of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.
Marc Grossman, O.D.
Biography
Doctor of Optometry. Marc Grossman Co-authored International best seller Magic Eye Beyond 3D: Improve Your Vision, published by Andrews and McNeil in 1996. He lectures nationally on topics such as Natural Vision Improvement, Psycho-Emotional Aspects of Visual Conditions, Vision & Learning, Holistic Integrative Visual Therapy, and Chinese Medicine and Vision Care. He is a Consultant to school systems, rehabilitation centers and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Marc’s background includes degrees in Optometry, Biology, Physical Education and Learning Disabilities, coupled with yoga, bioenergetics, nutrition, Chinese medicine and acupuncture, the Alexander technique and Feldenkrais.
Robyn A. Housemann, Ph.D.
Biography
Robyn is the Chairperson of the Department of Health Promotion and Exercise Science at Western Connecticut State University, 2016-present. She is also the Coordinator Holistic and Integrative Health Option from 2014 – present and was the Director of the Institute for Holistic Health Studies from 2006-2015.
Director, American Cancer Society, 2003-2006. She received a BS degree (URI, 1981) in Electrical Engineering, an MPH degree (SLU, 1994), and a Ph.D. (SLU, 2000) in Health Services Research (Behavioral Science/Health Education and Organizational Psychology). She is a Reiki Master and has been practicing Reiki since 2005. She has completed workshops in Shamanic Reiki, Magnified Healing®, and Brain Gym®. She has over 25 years of experience teaching group fitness classes and is an advocate for Holistic and Alternative Health.
Somesh N. Kaushik, ND, BAMS, MPH, MPA, E-RYT 500
Biography
Dr. Somesh N. Kaushik is the Ayurvedic specialist/consultant at the Institute. After completing B.A.M.S., a 6½ years of Ayurvedic training in 1983 from Kurukshetra University, India. He worked as an Ayurvedic Medical Officer before moving to U.S. He earned M.P.H. and M.P.A. from University of Alabama, Birmingham and N.D. from the University of Bridgeport, where he taught Ayurvedic medicine and Public Health courses and worked as the Director of Admissions for the College of Naturopathic Medicine. Before moving to Connecticut, he worked as an Epidemiologist and Director of HIV/AIDS sero-surveillance with Alabama Department of Public Health while maintaining an Ayurvedic practice. He has been a faculty member with the University of Bridgeport, Division of Health Sciences since 2001 He has over 26 years of experience as an Ayurvedic physician. He offers seminars and lectures on Ayurvedic medicine. Dr. Kaushik brings a unique experience as an Ayurvedic college trained Ayurvedic physician and a Naturopathic doctor with experience in public health and health education. He is also an experienced registered Yoga teacher.
C. Norman Shealy, MD, PhD
Biography
C. Norman Shealy attended medical school at Duke University in Durham, NC and completed graduate study at the Humanistic Psychology Institute (Saybrook Institute). He is currently President of Holos Institute of Health, President of Holos University Graduate School, Professor Emeritus of Energy Medicine at Greenwich University, and was the Founding President of the American Holistic Medical Association. Norm is one of the world's leading experts in pain management. He was among the first physicians to specialize in the resolution of chronic pain. A pioneer in developing safe and effective treatments such as Biogenics, he founded the first comprehensive pain and stress management facility in the country, The Shealy Institute. He is respected world-wide for his innovative and successful approaches to rehabilitation. Visit his website at normshealy.com.
Biography
Sergey Sorin, M.D., DABFM, is a Board Certified Physician with extensive experience in Urgent Care, Occupational Medicine and Emergency Medicine. He has served as Medical Director at the Bath, NY VA Hospital as well as several other organizations including Physician Weight Loss and Wellness Center, Tri-State Surgical Weight Loss Practice and Delphi/Workfit Healthcare.
He is currently CEO and Medical Director of the Shealy-Sorin Wellness Institute, also known as International Institute of Holistic Medicine, which is the world’s premier Holistic Clinic continuing the work and almost 5 decade legacy of C. Norman Shealy, M.D. Ph.D, developer of TENS, spinal cord stimulation, Biogenics and Transcutaneous Acupuncture among other health innovations.
PROGRAM COORDINATORS
Karen Pace, MA - Lead Program Coordinator
Biography
Karen Pace, MA, has 25+ years in the Financial Services Industry, experience ranging from Computer Trainer to Technology Vice President. Prior to corporate life, she spent 4 years in education as a high school and community college business teacher. During her teaching tenure, Karen was responsible for setting up the first self-paced computer lab at Mount Hood Community College Center for Women. Karen is most proud of her participation in holistic transformative education at TGI and achieving her Master’s Degree in Integrative Health and Healing. Karen is also the founder and creator of the company Peacebar.
karen@learn.edu
Biography
Dawn Fusco is a licensed Dental Hygienist with a broad range of healthcare experience. A recipient of the Hu-Friedy Clinical Excellence Award, she has over 20 years of experience in the field of dentistry within various settings. She achieved her Master of Arts in Integrative Health and Healing from The Graduate Institute, a bachelor’s Degree in Dental Hygiene from the University of New Haven, and an Associates Degree in Dental Assisting from Tunxis Community College.
fusco@learn.edu
Kim Ruggiero, MA - Program Coordinator
Biography
Kimberly Ruggiero studied at The Graduate Institute receiving her Master of Arts degree in Consciousness Studies as well as receiving a certificate in Transformative Coach Training in 2016. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Indiana University in 1985. In 2000, she began her formal art training at the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, in Lyme, CT for 5 years. In recent years she has won recognition for her intimate figurative paintings. Her work is found in private collections throughout New England and Florida. Kimberly has been trained in Mindfulness Meditation through Engaged Mindfulness Institute and facilitates a Mindfulness Meditation group at The Graduate Institute from October 2016 to the present time.
ruggiero@learn.edu
Deb Tyrrel, BSN, MA - Program Coordinator
Biography
Deborah Tyrrel received her M.A. Integrative Health and Healing from The Graduate Institute and a B.S.N. from Fairfield University. She has 30 years of experience in nursing, including 15 years as Director of Nursing within Assisted Living Facilities. Deb holds certifications in Sustainable Nutrition, Herbology, Auricular Acupuncture, and Buddhist Meditation.
Tyrrel@learn.edu
Laurie Walter, MA, BSN, RN, HNB-BC - Program Coordinator
Biography
Laurie Walter is a Registered Nurse with over 10 years of experience in peri-operative care and nursing education. She obtained her MA in Integrative Health and Healing from The Graduate Institute and her BSN from Sacred Heart University. She is a certified Yoga Teacher, certified Reiki Master, and she holds the Holistic Nursing Certification, HNB-BC. She is the recipient of the Clinical Leadership Award from Sacred Heart University.
walter@learn.edu
Alisa Wright, MA - Program CoordinatorBiography
Alisa Wright is a passionate and enthusiastic teacher who is committed to providing a teaching environment that is engaging, promotes creative and productive thinking skills, and is well balanced. In addition to being a Program Coordinator for IHH, Alisa is a teacher in Connecticut Region 6 in Litchfield, CT and was awarded the Region 6 Teacher of the Year in 2018. Other awards and honors include: the CAS Exemplary Elementary Educator Award in 2017; The Connecticut DEEP: Green Circle Sustainability Award recipient, 2002-2015; Producer of documentary film Regarding Amelia that went on to receive the Follett Creativity Grant Award, CASL: Outstanding creative and collaborative lesson—documentary film; Awarded Fuel Up to Play 60 grants for Warren, Morris and Goshen, 2013; RSD6 Innovative Collaborative Mini-Grants: Sample and a Stroll RSD6 Gardens Community Celebrations, 2017; Homemade Wholsesome Grows and Development, 2015; Morris Garden Redesign, 2015; The Snowy Day Literacy Science and Technology, 2013; Recipient of Walmart Local Teacher of the Year, 2005, National Gardening Association Grant, 2004. Alisa received a B.S. in Early Childhood Education, 1989, a M.S. in School Health, 1995, both from Southern Connecticut State University 1995 and M.A. in Integrative Health and Healing from The Graduate Institute in 2015.
wright@learn.edu
