School of Behavioral Health

Loma Linda University School of Behavioral Health has seen a number of exciting advancements since the beginning of the Vision 2020 campaign.

The Department of Psychology has advanced the curricular, clinical and research activities in concentration areas consistent with contemporary and leading-edge trends in healthcare. They have focused on providing students with the tools to excel in clinical service delivery and scholarship.

The Department of Social Work and Social Ecology has seen a great need for graduates knowledgeable in working with high-risk individuals, children, families and communities within inpatient and outpatient behavioral health settings, including hospice, schools, medical centers and community organizations. With a strong practice foundation and clinical specialization, students know they are well-equipped to fill these professional needs upon graduation. The Department of Counseling and Family Sciences’ Child Life Specialist program has been professionally endorsed, raising the standard for this academic program.

The marriage and family therapy programs have been focused on global mental health, and what true cross-cultural treatment can look like. The doctoral program with a marriage and family therapy specialty is focused on the neurological contributions to diagnosis and treatment. The counseling programs have been able to promote and expand their practice research base. The field of family studies actively moved from descriptive theory into a more evidence-based world, a move mirrored by the school’s programs. This includes moving into advanced ways of understanding and studying families, which has resulted in more research opportunities for students.