COUNSELLING PSYCHOLOGY

Profile of the Department

The Department of Counselling Psychology was started in the academic year 2020-2021.

Purpose & Philosophy

To equip the students to become effective helpers with not only professional development but also personal development. Therefore, before learning to help others through ethical and proven counselling skills, students need to have the right mindset to bloom as counsellors; and as the first step in this never-ending process of understanding themselves, they will explore within themselves to discover their peronal strengths and areas for growth, their preferences and beliefs incluing biases and prejudices. They will go through individual and group counselling guided by professional counsellors either in the department or elsewhere.

To enable the students to imbibe the Jesuit ideals: Pursuit of Excellence, Discovering the inner potential, Development of Personality, Scientific research, Critical Thinking and Effective Communication, and Commitment to become men and women for the service of others through Counselling Psychology.

The philosophy behind this PG Program in Counselling Psychology is holistic. Acknowledging that our body, mind, relationships and spirituality interrelate with and influence one another, an integrated Bio-Psycho-Socio-Spiritual approach is maintained in every course of this program. This will focus on not only post-problem treatment but also prevention through a multifaceted approach: individual, familial and community and institutional levels.

The courses in this program are designed to equip the students with the knowledge of the proven concepts, theories in psychology and traditional and brief therapies and techniques, psychological testing, research methodologies in psychology and multicultural counselling skills. Students will be conversant with the copious information we get through recent researches all over the world. Supervised Counselling practice will help the students discover their personal style of counselling and hone their counselling skills and techniques.

With the training imparted during this PG course, students will be both knowledgeable and confident to practice counselling and motivated to continue to learn. Ethical standards inluding professionalism, confidentiality, respect for clients and their cultures and sincere commitment to work for the wellbeing of all people.

Brief History

The Department of Counselling Psychology was started in the year 2020 as Corona Epidemic wave as fast spreading and played havoc in the whole world. The department Staff consisted of Rev.Dr. Emmanuel Arockiam SJ, Head of the Department; Rev.Fr. Richard Hirudayaraj SJ and Dr. A. John Balaiah. The department functioned in the Third Floor of the Arrupe Libray. Due to Corona Virus, 12 First Batach of Students had all the classes in the Virtual Mode during the First Semester and half way through the Second Semester. In the year 2021- 22, the department admitted 7 students to the First M.Sc. programme. Dr.Sr. Sobhana joined the department staff in the year 2021-22 for two years. In the year 2022-23, 28 students were admitted to the First year. In the Year 2023-24, 15 students were admitted to the First year. Dr. V. Suganthi joined the staff in the academic year 2023-24. In the year 2024-25, the department was shifted to the Southern Side of the formerly known as Britto Hall. In the year 2024, Dr. A. John Balaiah was appointed as the Head of the Department and Ms. Christeeba F.M joined the Staff. In the year 2024-25, 39 students were admitted to the department.

Ms. Christeela and Ms. Shylin served as students' Counsellors of the College for two years under the Secretary appointment from the year 2022-2024.

Our Department Brochure