A woman presents her expressive drawing during a group art therapy session. The positive and relaxed reactions of the other participants, who are smiling and holding their own artwork, highlight a moment of creative sharing and connection.

Mental Health & Well-Being Programs

Training Professionals Through Immersive Fieldwork

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The demand for compassionate, highly skilled mental health professionals has never been greater.

For decades, Lesley University has focused on training counselors, psychologists, social workers, and expressive therapists who improve lives. What makes Lesley different? Across our programs we embrace a ​​holistic approach, carefully examining the relationship and connection between the clinician and the individual or group being served. We teach that ​​practitioners must truly know themselves before they can help others. And we are laser-focused on driving​​ professional success, offering students early access to internships and field work through our Scholar Partner Program, and a lifetime of career resources and support.

Our programs seamlessly integrate ​​rigorous and highly relevant classroom learning with ​​immersive internships received upon acceptance and a ​​life-long support network. You’ll hit the ground running and enjoy an impactful career doing work that makes a difference.

dance movement in classroom

A Comprehensive Curriculum, ​​a Holistic Approach

For decades, Lesley has specialized in mental health education

For decades, Lesley has specialized in mental health education, and our mental health and wellness programs are rooted in a holistic, interdisciplinary, trauma-informed, and social justice-driven approach. We train students to see the whole person, understanding mental health in the context of each individual’s unique perspective and lived experience.

As a Lesley student, you’ll master foundational theoretical concepts and be exposed to a broad range of tools and modalities. Across our curriculum, you’ll find a strong emphasis on self-care; because we understand that when students build the self-awareness and emotional resilience that helps them look after themselves, they can more effectively navigate a long-term career helping others.

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The Self as Instrument - The Heart of Lesley’s Philosophy

At Lesley, we believe that effective mental health practitioners must truly know themselves before they can help others. Our programs are united by the principle of “self as instrument”, the idea that who you are is as important as what you know.

At Lesley, it’s not about mastering a set of tools, it’s about becoming the tool: an authentic, grounded presence capable of facilitating transformational healing. This philosophy extends through our ​​undergraduate, ​​master's, and ​​PhD level programs, ensuring a holistic and cohesive pathway for those students who wish to pursue an advanced degree.

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Professional Preparation Done Differently

Real-world training is crucial to becoming an effective mental health practitioner, and at Lesley, we do it a bit differently. Here, we offer guaranteed internships at the time of acceptance, often with generous funding attached.

Our Scholar Partner Program allows students to work alongside seasoned clinicians and practitioners at one of our highly respected partner organizations, gaining crucial practical experience that you’ll bring back to the classroom. Lesley takes the uncertainty and guesswork out of researching and finding internships, allowing you to stay focused on making a difference by putting your classroom learning into practice.

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With You Through Every Stage of Your Career

You’ll also join a community that’s with you for life. As a Mental Health & Well-Being graduate, you’ll have access to resources that provide alumni and professionals in the field through every stage of their careers, including:  

  • Lesley’s New Mental Health Community of Practice – A resource that provides a support group, workshops, and other resources for practitioners who are new to the field
  • Ongoing mentorship and networking opportunities
  • One of the region’s most extensive alumni networks for mental health practitioners
  • Continuing education and professional development courses, seminars, licensure support, and timely, relevant microlearnings
  • Priority job matching and curated career fairs 
Students drinking coffee outside on the Lesley campus

A Close-Knit Cohort, a Caring Community

Careers in mental health are deeply rewarding but also challenging. At Lesley, you’re never alone. From day one, our students are grouped into close-knit cohorts, building connections with peers who support them through their studies, into their careers, and beyond. On each step of your education journey, you’ll work alongside faculty and staff who provide mentorship, guidance, and friendship, and ensure that students have the tools and resources to take care of themselves as they prepare to care for others. It’s a level of caring that students carry with them into their careers, and it’s why many of the relationships that students form here last a lifetime. 

​Learn more about how we support professionals working in the field through every stage of their careers.

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Undergraduate Programs
A close-up of a female attendee at a workshop, wearing glasses and a black shirt. Her rapt attention on an off-camera speaker conveys a sense of deep engagement and learning.
Master's Programs
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PhD Programs
Members of the Pathways for Paraprofessionals cohort pose for the camera

Explore our Scholar Partner Program, which guarantees internships upon acceptance as well as other types of internships and field placements that uniquely prepare Lesley students for career success.

See Where Lesley Students Work through our Scholar Partner Program

  • Advocates 
  • Aftermath 
  • ARTrelief
  • Boston Neurodynamics
  • Buildwave
  • Cadbury Commons
  • Cambridge Women’s Center
  • Child and Family Services 
  • Dimock Center
  • Eliot Community Human Services 
  • Girls LEAP
  • Italian Home for Children 
  • Justice Resource Institute 
  • Kiwi Recovery
  • Northeast Health Services 
  • North Suffolk Community Services 
  • Reset Boston 
  • Riverside Community Care
  • South Shore Child and Family Counseling Services 
  • Threshold Programs
  • Victory Programs 
  • Vinfen

Take the next step

Ready to begin your journey with Lesley? ​Share some basic information by filling out one of the forms below so that we can reach out to you with more information about our programs. Or, email admissions@lesley.edu to connect with a member of our admissions team.

Undergraduate Inquiry Form  |  Graduate Inquiry Form  |  Threshold Inquiry Form