News and Events: Press Release

June 29, 2010

  • By D. Veasey
  • Director of Media Relations
  • Regis University
  • University Relations
  • 303.458.3537
  • 303.204.5986 cell
  • dveasey@regis.edu

Regis University Colorado Springs Campus launches Post-Graduate Certificate in Counseling Military Families

( COLORADO SPRINGS, CO.) –Regis University’s College for Professional Studies has launched a Post-Graduate Certificate in Counseling Military Families at the University’s Colorado Springs Campus.

According to Linda Osterlund, assistant professor and Colorado Springs Program coordinator for Graduate Counseling Program, the certificate includes six graduate courses offered to master’s level counselors who desire specialized training in counseling the military population beyond their coursework in clinical mental health counseling or marriage and family therapy. Community professionals with a master’s degree in counseling or closely related area of clinical psychotherapy are eligible for admission to the certificate program.

"The goal of the Regis University counseling program in Colorado Springs is to meet the demands of the Pikes Peak region by educating and graduating marriage and family therapists who are also prepared to work with military families," Osterlund said. "Our strategy for achieving that goal is to educate new therapists with a strong foundation in counseling skills, and by providing a post master's certificate in counseling military families for current therapists and practitioners."

Osterlund cited a need for the certificate, referencing a DORA e-update from 2008 which noted that "Only four percent of community mental health providers in Colorado are trained to work specifically with couples and families holding licensure as Marriage and Family Therapists" and the sizable military population in the Pikes Peak region.

"Given the unique stressors on military families, systemic models offer the most promise for successful treatment because they use the individual’s strengths and also examine and increase the health of the individual's environment for healing, particularly family members and friends," Osterlund said.

Prerequisites for the admission to the certificate program include a master’s degree in Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy or related clinical mental health degree or enrollment in a master's degree clinical mental health counseling program; and the following courses completed within the degree or as part of professional continuing education training: Group Counseling; Appraisal: Test and Measurement; and Career Counseling.

Four of the six courses were already developed and offered as part of the master's in Marriage and Family Therapy degree. The two additional courses were specific to the military family system, and treatment of family members suffering from crisis, trauma and loss. The Graduate Counseling Program at Regis University has two master's degree programs, a Master's Degree in Counseling and a Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy Osterlund noted that the coursework is offered in weekend intensive and evening formats, allowing students to complete the plan in about one year.

For more information about the program, contact Osterlund at 719-264-7011.