Psychotherapy Unit

About us

INTRODUCTION

Asutosh College Psychotherapy Unit offers counselling for the mental wellbeing. We are one of the few Colleges in India where students can receive easily accessible psychoanalytic treatment with mental-health needs. Besides our students, the Psychotherapy Unit is open to all the teaching and non-teaching staff of Asutosh College. The Unit is specialised and run by the Psychology Department of the College, which, besides dealing cases of academic pressure, career establishment, relationship and family issues, internal problems, and depressions due to various stresses, also counsels some extreme cases drawing specialised attention.

Counselling as a profession grew out of the progressive guidance movement in the early 1900s. The modern era is marked by speed, change, and challenges. To cope with demands of our times, people, especially the youth, often succumb to mental illness. To prevent this and develop their potentialities, counselling is required to restore the mental equilibrium. Now it has been diversified throughout the world. Its emphasis is on prevention as well as on therapy. The aim of counselling is to help individuals of all ages and stages, find meaning, direction and fulfilment in life. Keeping these in view, the Department of Psychology, Asutosh College has set up the Psychotherapy /Counselling Unit for students and colleagues in need of help in times of mental crisis. The focus is on development, mindfulness, meaningfulness, and overall wellbeing of those seeking help.

Psychotherapy is a general term that is used to describe the process of treating psychological disorders and mental distress through the use of verbal and psychological techniques. During this process, a trained psychotherapist helps the client tackle specific or general problems such as a particular mental illness or a source of life stress.

Depending on the approach used by the therapist, a wide range of techniques and strategies can be used. Almost all types of psychotherapy involve developing a therapeutic relationship, communicating and creating a dialogue, and working to overcome problematic thoughts or behaviors.

Psychotherapy is increasingly viewed as a distinct profession in its own right, but many different types of professionals offer it, including clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, marriage and family therapists, social workers, mental health counselors, and psychiatric nurses

TYPES OF PSYCHOTHERAPY

Psychotherapy can take different formats depending on the style of the therapist and the needs of the patient. A few formats that you might encounter include:

  • Individual therapy, which involves working one-on-one with a psychotherapist.
  • Couples therapy, which involves a therapist working with a couple to help improve how the two function in their relationship.
  • Family therapy, which centres on improving the dynamic within families and can include multiple individuals within a family unit.
  • Group therapy, which involves a small group of individuals who share a common goal. (This approach allows members of the group to offer and receive support from others, as well as practice new behaviours within a supportive and receptive group.)

THE BEGINNING

Asutosh College has initiated Psychotherapy/Counselling Unit for beloved student and dear colleagues with the blessings and support of Dr. Dipak Kumar Kar, Principal, Asutosh College under the guidance of Dr. Pooja Chatterjee, Head and Assistant Professor in Psychology and with the continued support of the department faculties of Team Psychology from 01/08/2011. The focus is on development, mindfulness, meaningfulness, and overall wellbeing.

In 2021, after Dr. Pooja Chatterjee expired, the Unit continues to work under Dr. Rimjhim Ray, Head and Assistant Professor in Psychology, Dr. Jhuma Mukherjee, SACT in Psychology and other faculty members.

OBJECTIVES

  • To provide counselling to beloved students for developing sound physical and, mental health and for achieving the goals in College settings.
  • To provide counselling to beloved colleagues as well as students to resolve their personal and psycho-social crises like:
  • Grief Counselling,
  • Suicide Prevention Counselling,
  • Relationships Counselling,
  • Drug and Tobacco abuse Counselling,
  • Covid-19 related Counselling.
  • Humanistic approaches
  • Psychoanalytically Oriented Psychotherapy
  • Rational Emotive Behaviour therapy
  • Colour Therapy
  • Directive Counselling
  • Brief Counselling
  • Problem focused Counselling
  • Anger Management
  • Interpersonal therapy
  • Stress related problems
  • Major life transition
  • Group therapy.
  • Deep breathing
  • Jacob’s relaxation training
  • Daily feelings Journal
  • Colour Therapy
  • Yoga Therapy

WHAT PSYCHOTHERAPY CAN HELP WITH

Psychotherapy comes in many forms, but all are designed to help people overcome challenges, develop coping strategies, and lead happier and healthier lives.

If you are experiencing symptoms of a psychological or psychiatric disorder, you might benefit from an evaluation by a trained and experienced psychotherapist who is qualified to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions.

Psychotherapy is used to treat a wide range of mental health conditions, including:

  • Addiction
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Depression
  • Eating disorders
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Phobias
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Substance use disorder

In addition, psychotherapy has been found to help people cope with the following:

  • Chronic pain or serious illnesses
  • Divorce, or break-ups
  • Grief or loss
  • Insomnia
  • Low self-esteem
  • Relationship problems
  • Stress management

INFRASTRUCTURE

At present counselling is done at the Department of Psychology.