Since color therapy does not currently have any licensing standards, you can likely pursue this career through independent certification. A large number of upcoming color therapy professionals may choose to partner their training in color therapy with other licensed fields in counseling for the best career experience. Completing a master’s in counseling and licensure before color therapy training can help graduates maximize their potential in the field after completion. Read more for ways that you can study color therapy online through different educational paths.
What Is Color Therapy Counseling?
Color therapy, or chromotherapy, is an alternative approach to psychological and biological healing that includes the use of different colors of light during the therapeutic process. The foundational elements of this therapy include the thought that different colors on the spectrum can be used for different purposes, such as lowering anxiety, increasing energy, or soothing.
At the most basic level, individuals receiving color therapy may simply view different colors to feel the effects through their bodies. Different colors represent different feelings, with green being one of the safest and most stable colors for viewing during this type of therapy.
In some cases, color therapy equipment is used to illuminate different parts of the body for the purpose of healing. As an example, a color therapist may shine a purple light on a patient’s forehead to stimulate relaxation or calming sensations.
Different colors can also be implemented in an artistic fashion when clients engage in creative activities. Painting or drawing are two popular forms of color therapy and are thought to stimulate the mind and promote positive well-being.
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School and Program Information | Online Program? Entry Requirements |
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Northwestern University
Online MA in Counseling
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Northwestern University
Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy
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GRE Not Required Bachelor's Required |
The COAMFTE-accredited MFT@Northwestern is offered by The Family Institute at Northwestern University. Full-time students can complete the program in as few as 21 months. No GRE is required, but applicants must hold an undergraduate degree. Full and part-time tracks available. Learn More |
Walden University
MS in School Counseling
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School counselors help students overcome obstacles and shape successful futures. Walden’s online MS in School Counseling program will give you a solid foundation in school counseling theories, approaches, and best practices while enabling you to gain hands-on experience. Learn More |
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Clinical Mental Health Counseling master's degree emphases include: Childhood and Adolescence Disorders, Christian Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Trauma. Designed to meet the academic requirements of the National Board for Certified Counselors for the National Certified Counselor credential, the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor credential and the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. As a private university, GCU has the same in-state and out-of-state tuition. Learn More |
Liberty University
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Color Therapy Counseling Degrees Available
If you are interested in becoming a color therapist, you can partner your education in counseling with certification courses in color therapy for the optimum experience. This type of career option does not require licensure or certification from state to state, so students can often combine various professional training programs to match their career desires. Students can also engage in online color therapy courses for more flexible education. Below are some of the educational options that students interested in color therapy can pursue.
Bachelor’s Degree
Students interested in learning more about psychology and human emotions as foundations for color therapy can participate in bachelor’s programs in psychology. Alternatively, bachelor’s programs in counseling can also be excellent for partnering with this type of therapy.
Bachelor’s programs usually take students around four years to complete, including general education courses and those related specifically to psychology. During this program, students can learn more about the biological development of the human mind, how it changes and develops throughout the life span, and normal and abnormal development along the way.
Master’s Degree
Some professionals choosing to provide color therapy may begin their experience with a master’s in counseling. This degree option can lead to licensure as a professional counselor, potentially opening up more career options.
Master’s in counseling programs include supervised work experiences and are typically followed by two years of required field training. During graduate programs, you can learn more about assessing the psychological needs of your client and utilizing proven counseling tools during their treatment.
Color therapy certification is typically completed by finishing training courses or certification programs through various agencies, most of which offer education in color therapy online. During this training, you can learn more about how exposure to different colors on the spectrum can influence emotional and behavioral change.
Featured Online Master’s in Counseling Programs
The online master’s in counseling at Bradley University can be a great option to pursue since it holds current accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and can lead to licensure. The program includes specializations in both Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Professional School Counseling and includes two virtual residencies.
Capella University’s online master’s in counseling program is an accredited option with a completely online curriculum. Capella’s program is offered in a flexible format, offering focused programs in Addition Studies, School Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Color Therapy Counseling Courses
Introductory courses, such as color therapy basics, can provide students with knowledge of each color of the spectrum and its emotional effect on the human mind.
Color therapy courses can also introduce students to different forms of color therapy, such as the use of colored paints and images, aromatherapy, and color viewing. Training courses in color therapy may also involve using full or pulsating colors for illumination on different parts of the body.
Additional courses in color therapy may explore the psychology of colors and how exposure to different colors affects the human brain, showing cellular and emotional changes in response to color exposure.
During your training in color therapy, you can also learn about how utilizing colors in your workspace can play a role in your client’s balance and frame of mind. These details can be beneficial to therapy providers who are seeking positive experiences from their clients during the therapy process.
Depending on the training provider, your courses can vary during your certification experience. Our team encourages you to explore different training programs to find the one that best fits your career plans.
Path to Working in Color Therapy Counseling
- Bachelor’s/Certification: The bachelor’s path to becoming a certified color therapist involves completing a bachelor’s in psychology or another related field. This can provide students with a foundational knowledge of psychological development and mental health alongside their color therapy certification program.
- Master’s/Certification: Some learners in this discipline may choose to pursue licensing as a counselor before training in color therapy. This process includes completing an accredited master’s in counseling program, engaging in supervised work experiences, and applying for licensure in their state. Certification courses or training programs in color therapy can be completed in a short time through the online setting.
- Certification/Training: There are currently no licensing or certification standards for color therapy; however, candidates may want to pursue counseling licensure to open up more career opportunities. Some practitioners wishing to provide color therapy services in the holistic or spa setting can master color therapy online to start providing this service to their clients.
Important Color Therapy Counseling Organizations to Know
The International Wheel of Color Association (IWOC) is an international professional organization that is joined by color therapists all over the world. This organization can provide you with the opportunity to network with other professionals in your field; networking can be increasingly beneficial to new and upcoming therapists.
This organization may also grant access to new studies and findings in this field as a means for learning about new technologies for use in your own practice. Since this is a newer form of therapy, new techniques may emerge regularly for you to utilize.
Since color therapy is still growing in popularity, professionals can benefit from joining agencies like this one for job search opportunities and partnering with other professionals during the learning process. Being a part of a social network of like-minded professionals can provide you with a sense of security as you begin your new career.
Color Therapy Counseling Career Options
Depending on the training you have engaged in during your educational experience, you can experience unique career opportunities in the field. Students who have only completed the color therapy training without a degree can likely find careers in health spas or holistic medicine offices as color therapists. Color therapists can also be found working in professional massage, in direct counseling, and even for physical therapists across the country.
These alternative therapists can work with clients in different age groups and are often offered as part of a larger pool of services from their organization. You can have access to more career settings if you engage in more intensive educational training during your college experience.
In the counseling domain, color therapists can provide various forms of light therapy depending on the needs of their clients. As color therapy becomes more widely known in the treatment of mental health disorders, these professionals can possibly be found in more settings in mental health treatment.
Graduates who have received their master’s in counseling and pursued further certification in color therapy may have more career options. Since licensed counselors are permitted to practice privately, pursuing licensure may be more beneficial than just the initial training.
Sources:
Google Books, “Color Therapy: Plain & Simple”
International Wheel of Color Association
International Wheel of Color Association, Training/Courses
International Wheel of Color Association, What Is Colour Therapy?
National Center for Biotechnology Information, “A Critical Analysis of Chromotherapy and Its Scientific Evolution”