Personal biography
Entering into the world of counselling, so many years ago, was so magical as well as challenging. The varied insightful and inspiring experiences in this voyage has given me immense pleasure and peace. The numerous relationships I made as a counsellor, with clients from a wide variety of backgrounds gave me an unbelievable opportunity to row along with them through their journeys. In this process I equipped myself, enhanced my professional skills and associated with many professional bodies at the national and international level. This blissful experience was like a pilgrimage and quite humbling, mindful and grounded.
When the field of counselling in India was gaining its momentum, it became necessary to train novice counsellors who were beginning to explore this noble profession with immense enthusiasm but simultaneously a lot of confusion. Taking up this challenging task by adopting culturally suitable training strategies while not easy, was rewarding to say the least. I schooled myself through in-depth research investigations, modifications of western training tools, deliberate reading of books and articles, and engaged in endless deliberations with professionals across the globe. Extending my expertise to enable a young cadre of professionals to ethically practice counselling is really fulfilling. At this juncture, I gratefully remember those who guided me, travelled along with me and are willing to bear the torch for the well-being of future generations!
Academic Qualifications
PhD in Social Work under University of Kerala on the topic “Counselling in Schools” – Provisions and Prospects – A Study of Schools in Kerala.
Masters in Social Work (MSW) with Medical and Psychiatric Specialisation, University of Kerala.
Membership in Professional Associations
Professional Member, Indian Academy of Professional Supervisors.
Life Member, Kerala Social work Association
Life Member, Kerala Counsellors’ Forum
Life Member, Vellore Christian Counselling Association
Work Experience
Course Coordinator & Faculty for MSc. Counselling Psychology, Department of Counselling Psychology, Loyola College of Social Sciences, Trivandrum, Kerala
External Consultant & Subject Expert, Integrated Child Protection Scheme- Department of Women and Child Development, Govt. of Kerala
Faculty, Post Graduate Diploma Course in Counselling conducted by University of Kerala
Faculty, Post Graduate Diploma Course in Child, Adolescent & Family Counselling conducted by Child Development Centre, Medical College, Trivandrum under IGNOU
Faculty, Post Graduate Diploma Course in Counselling, Marthoma Counselling and Guidance Centre, Trivandrum, Kerala
Faculty, Master’s in Social Work (MSW) course conducted by IGNOU at Loyola College of Social Sciences, Trivandrum
Coordinator of Loyola Students’ Counselling Centre, Loyola College of Social Sciences, Trivandrum, Kerala
School Counsellor in Trivandrum International School
Family Counsellor at St. Vincent Ayurveda Treatment and Counselling Centre, Medical College, Trivandrum
Medical Social Worker, Pushpavathi Singhania Research Institute for Liver, Kidney and Digestive systems, Sheik Sarai Phase -1, New Delhi
Counsellor, Loyola Family Counselling Centre, Loyola College of Social Sciences, Trivandrum, Kerala
Major Professional Engagements
Curriculum development activities organised by Additional Skill Acquisition Program (ASAP)
Coordinated competency development programmes for school counsellors appointed in Government schools in Kerala
Employee Wellness Training Workshop Series for employees of Envestnet Asset Management (India) Pvt. Ltd
Training session on Parenting of Adolescents: A Psychological Approach for employees of Allianz Technology, Technopark, Trivandrum, Kerala
Employee Wellness Sessions for Employees of Noratel India Power Components (India) Pvt. Ltd, Technopark, Trivandrum, Kerala
Counselling training program for community workers of Trivandrum Social Service Society
Experiential Training Session Series on “Caring the Young: The Power of Influence” for Child Care Associates from Child Care Institutions under Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Kerala
Specific training programme for school teachers as part of Souhrdya teachers training programme carried out by Department of Higher Secondary Education
Experiential training session on Counselling Process & Techniques for 90 Paediatricians (Pan India)
Interactive webinars on Gaming Disorder and Adolescent Parenting as part of Responsible Parenting Webinar Series conducted by Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Kerala
Staff development programmes and series of competency development workshops for therapists of National Institute of Speech and Hearing(NISH), Trivandrum
Counselling training programme for college teachers as part of Walk With Scholar programme organised by the Directorate of Collegiate Education
Curriculum planning organised by Social Justice Department and Department of Education, Government of Kerala and submitted a concept note on ‘The need for inclusion of counselling in the school curriculum’
Series of Awareness programmes (Parental/Adolescence/Counselling) for varied groups organised by many government departments, schools, NGOs and residence associations
Consultation on Our Responsibility to Children (ORC) conducted by Government of Kerala (2013)
Consultation for Nirbhaya, a Kerala Government project for women and children, to plan various training programmes throughout Kerala and also engaged as a Resource person for all these training (2012)
Sessions on “Parenting: Role of Family in Preventing Suicide” in the workshop on Suicide Prevention among Adolescents and Children (SPACE) at Alapuzha, Thrissur, Thalassery and Malappuram, jointly organised by UNICEF and Kerala Social Security Mission
Module development and training for school teachers: “Counselling Training for Teachers” to enhance their awareness and efficiency
Designed and coordinated a Family Life Education Programme for Trivandrum Social Service Society, Trivandrum Diocese
Organised several State-level Workshops such as ‘Counselling in schools’, ‘Learning Disability’, ‘Family Therapy’, and ‘Child Psychology’ for teachers and counsellors
Staff development programmes for different organisations like Asianet, Trivandrum International School, Dr. Gopinath Scans, St. Joseph School Trivandrum