The philosophy of the Somatic Psychology Program is based on the belief that conscious participation in our own bodily experience is important to both psychological and physical health. Starting with an understanding that psychological forms and processes are rooted in bodily structures, the program's curriculum is a unique integration of Western and non-Western approaches that explore the ways in which the body is formed in social, cultural, psychological, ecological, and spiritual environments. Students are trained in the clinical practice of movement-oriented, body-centered psychotherapy.

Somatic psychology draws upon both traditional and contemporary healing practice and theory. It covers a range of psychodynamic approaches such as object relations, self psychology, and intersubjective theory; and somatic approaches such as authentic movement, sensory awareness, continuum body-mind centering, Lomi, bioenergetics, Hakomi, and Rosen work.

Students in the Somatic Psychology Program learn somatic and psychological counseling skills; those wishing to pursue further academic work and research are prepared to do so. The Institute's Clement Street Counseling Center is the only academically-based community somatics clinic in the U.S. It offers students an opportunity for training experience which integrates a body-oriented psychotherapy approach with other therapeutic modalities.