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A Helping Hand

OUR PROCESS

The Counseling Cell at SPJIMR is a standalone entity, aimed at helping students of the institute find psychological help at an arm's length.  We provide a variety of services that include crisis intervention, personal counseling, psychotherapy, group counseling, and resource and referral assistance to off-campus agencies, through our established network of psychologists and psychiatrists across the city. Every enquiry is taken up by a certified psychologist, providing one-on-one counseling sessions. Counseling provides a safe and trusting environment where the psychologists listen to the students/clients in a non-judgmental manner, understand their concerns, and help the students/clients resolve them. Confidentiality of both the enquiry and the session is strictly maintained. Usually, counseling takes place through face-to-face conversations but since the beginning of lockdown due to Covid-19, counseling sessions are being conducted through video calls or phone calls.

Process
Reaching Out

REACHING OUT

For Self: If you feel the need to talk to someone about mental wellbeing, feel free to make an enquiry by reaching out to us over email. All counseling requests need to be coordinated through the counseling cell. The team would make sure that they respond within 24 hours. A certified psychologist would be assigned to you who would set up a session on a mutually agreed upon date and time. Due to limitations due to Covid-19, we would arrange a session over video or audio call 

For a Friend:  If you feel that professional counseling might be beneficial for a friend of yours, let them know that you believe a counselor would be of help in this situation. Inform the friend that the service is both confidential and free of charge. A mutual decision is best. Don’t force the issue if he/she takes a defensive posture – simply restate your concerns and recommendations. If the friend is receptive, you can suggest that he/she write for an appointment at the counseling cell.  If the situation seems urgent you can directly write to the counseling cell stating the situation of the student/friend and how to contact them

FAQs

  • What is Counseling?
    Counseling is a process carried on in a one-to-one environment between a professionally competent counselor and a client. Our experts address typical life stresses related to the emotional, social, work, educational and physical health concerns people may have at different stages in their lives, alleviate feelings of distress, and also help improve their sense of well-being. 
    Disclaimer: In situations that involve continuous and comprehensive mental and behavioral health care which involves training, education and supervision are beyond our scope, nevertheless we have a network of clinical psychologists and psychiatrists that we can refer to.

  • Who needs Counseling?
    It is a common myth that counseling is only for people who are very disturbed. In fact, Counseling can be helpful for any person, who can think, feel and behave appropriately most of the time but sometimes, may require help to enhance, develop, change or improve his/her condition. 

  • For what kinds of concerns can you approach the counseling cell?
    You can reach out to the counseling cell for anything, including but not limited to:

    • Career/work adjustment concerns.

    • Relationship difficulties‐including marital and family difficulties.

    • Stress management and coping with life events.

    • Organizational problems.

    • Personal/social adjustment.

    • The development of one’s identity.

    • Difficulties with relating to other people in general.

  • Will the Counselor prescribe medication?
    Counselors/ psychologists are not authorized to prescribe medications. Upon their assessment, if they feel that the individual requires medications they will be referred to a psychiatrist for further evaluation and/or treatment. This will be done with the consent of the individual.

  • Who are the services for?
    The services of the Counseling Cell are open to all the current students of SPJIMR

  • Are services confidential?
    YES, they are. In keeping with accepted professional practice, counseling is confidential. No information is released to the administration, to faculty members, to parents, or to outside agencies (such as graduate schools, employers, etc.) without the student’s explicit written authorization in advance.

  • What is the cost?
    Counseling is provided for free to all the current students of SPJIMR. However, if the situation demands a deeper intervention by one of our networks of psychologists or psychiatrists in Mumbai, the cost needs to be borne by the student. 

  • Is the Counseling Cell a part of Vishwas?
    Vishwas is a faculty-driven and student-run initiative towards mental wellbeing. The Counseling Cell functions separately from Vishwas and is managed by trained psychologists 

  • How do I get in touch? 
    The students can send an email to the counseling cell on counsellingcell@spjimr.org The team makes sure that they respond within 24 hours to the mail

  • I want to refer my friend to the counseling Cell, but he/she is apprehensive about seeking help. What should I do?
    We do not recommend forcing a student to take psychological help. However, we urge you to try and persuade your friend in reaching out to us if you feel it is indeed needed. If the situation seems urgent you can directly write to the counseling cell stating the situation of the student/friend and how to contact them.

FAQ
Contact

The Team

Head

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Dr. Lata Dhir

(M.A., M.Phil., Psychology, Ph.D.)

Professor - Leadership and Organization Behavior
Group Head - Design Thinking    

Licensed Psychologist from the Rehabilitation Council of India

Pioneer of 'Vishwas', an initiative for Nurturing Mental Well-being  
Member of American Psychological Association

Erasmus Mundus Scholar  

Cooridnator

WhatsApp Image 2021-04-30 at 3.17.32 PM.

Ms. Madhura Gondhalekar

(M.A., Psychology, specialization in Applied Clinical Psychology)

Research Associate - People and Performance area

Coordinator - Vishwas and counseling cell

Team
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