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Counselling Cell

Serenity

Counselling is a process in which a person can talk to a professional in a completely confidential setting when she feels uncomfortable or overwhelmed by the challenges she faces of with stress or anxiety.

Counselling students has been a part and parcel of this Institution ever since its inception, as it is felt that educating the students is only part of the responsibility of any educational institution. It is also our responsibility to foster the skills that enable the students to face life with confidence. To facilitate this it is imperative that the emotional needs of the students should be addressed. Every aspect that makes up the individual interacts with and influences each other. Thus psychological wellbeing is one of the determinants of academic performance.

The Counselling cell formally came into existence in 2010 with the Principal taking the lead as a professional counsellor, having completed her doctorate in Clinical counselling. The other faculty members in the department serve as in-house counsellors. External Counsellors are also available to provide counselling.

The Counselling Cell was christened “Serenity” in the year 2017 as it aims to instil a sense of calmness and tranquillity in the client as opposed to anxiety and agitation.

The goals of the ‘Serenity’ are

To enhance coping skills
To improve relationships
To facilitate behaviour change and psychological wellbeing
To promote decision making
To encourage the client to reach her potential

‘Serenity’ is continually committed to promoting the psychological well-being of the students.

‘Serenity’ has adopted the Objectives for counselling given by Dunsmoore and Miller which are as follows

Objectives

To give students information on matters important to success.
To get information about the student which will be of help in solving her problems
To establish feelings of mutual understanding between student and teacher
To help the student work out a plan for solving her difficulties
To help the student know herself better – her interests, abilities, aptitudes and opportunities.
To encourage and develop special abilities and right attitudes
To inspire successful endeavour toward attainment.
To assist the student in planning for educational and vocational choice.

Standard Operating Procedure

Counselling is concerned with “normal” problems rather than mental health problems. However, in cases where further intervention is required in the form of medication, the students consult a Psychiatrist. It is also more concerned with

Present events
Conscious, rational thinking
The individual’s role function in different settings wherein choices are to be made and actions are to be taken

Counselling is offered at various levels

At the most basic level is peer counselling where the students of the department answer questions and offer counselling to their fellow students. They present various topics in the classes as well as put up relevant information on the notice board.
Class mentors meet each student individually at least once a year to find out if there are any issues that need to be addressed. If so, they offer counsel. Students may also come to them [or other lecturers] for solution or guidance for certain problems or issues. Lecturers may initiate the process in certain cases.
More long lasting or severe problems are addressed by the in house counsellors or external counsellors. The students either come voluntarily or are referred by other lecturers. The Cell does not confine its efforts to the students of the college. There have been times when the services have been provided to students of sister institutions.

At times, students are counselled because of the concerns of the students’ parents. At other times the parents may be called if the student permits to discuss various issues or if parental intervention is required such as when referrals need to be made.

Records are maintained in the form of brief case histories or in a register. However, confidentiality is assured. At times, other lecturers may be advised that a particular student needs to be handled with special care, if it is in the best interest of the student.

Follow up sessions are scheduled if it is thought they are necessary to note the progress made. At times the student herself comes for follow up.

The Cell also has an e-mail id through which students can approach the counsellors.