California Institute for Human Science: Current Students

Alumni

Michael R. Henry, Ph.D.

My experience at the California Institute for Human Science began in the fall quarter of the 2000-2001 school year. I had been contemplating returning to school (I had obtained my bachelors degree in 1979) for about two years. I had been working fulltime in my own business as a farrier (horseshoer) and was beginning to realize that this chosen occupation would not be practical the older that I became. Circumstances in my life directed my interest toward a second career as a clinical psychologist. I chose CIHS because of its unique approach to the discipline of psychology, the convenience of being able to work full time while going to school at night, and the ability to pay tuition each month.

So, at the age of 45, I began my first quarter at CIHS. I knew that my goal of becoming a licensed clinical psychologist would be a daunting task; I had to first obtain my Master’s degree, then complete the courses for my Doctorate, write my dissertation, complete 3000 hours of supervised clinical experience, and pass the national and California licensing exams. I decided that the best way to approach what lie ahead was as if I were eating an elephant: one bite at a time.

I was immediately pleased with the quality and comprehensiveness of education that I received at CIHS. The faculty was well-rounded; highly educated and experienced, and from a variety of walks of life. The individual attention and care that I received from my professors made me strive to obtain a complete understanding of each course. The hours were long and the assignments intense; my free time was spent devouring texts and writing papers. I began to develop friendships with my fellow students as we endured the days, months, and years together. From the start was the presence of mutual respect between the faculty and students. We were treated as equals that would someday perhaps join them in their quest to educate others.

After two years I completed my Master’s degree; after three more my Doctorate. During the last two years of doctorate work I managed to fit in clinical experience. I was now 50 years old. One year later I passed the national psychology licensing exam. Two years after that I passed the California licensing exam. That was March 16, 2009. My nine year journey had ended (or just began?).

During the past two years, my bride and I moved to Colorado, were I am now also licensed, in order to begin a program using Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (I just can’t seem to not have horses around me). I have kept in touch with my many friends at CIHS and have had the privilege of teaching an online Law and Ethics class. My career as a psychologist has many facets; I have a private practice, I am a school psychologist, I work with the developmentally disabled, I work with a not so savory population mandated for treatment by state probation and parole departments, I am a teacher, I am in the process of publishing an instrument measuring relationship dynamics, and I hope to be an author.

Ten years ago I could not have imagined how my life would be changed because of the education that I received at CIHS. A school is successful not because of its name, its grand architecture, or its ability to graduate students. It is successful because of the individuals that make the institution work: the administration, the faculty, and the staff, and the relationships that they form with their students. I will always cherish those individuals at CIHS, throughout the years they have been my teachers, parents, counselors, and friends; I will always be a part of what CIHS represents.

California Institute for Human Science
701 Garden View Ct.
Encinitas, CA 92024
760-634-1771