• name:Dr. Aroline K Tom
  • position:Founder & CEO

Personal biography

Bright Ray - Authentic mental health & well-being services in a single platform! It was an ambitious dream and the tasks involved reflected that ambition. Stepping into this daring adventure has been a perpetual passion of mine emboldened by my curiosity towards the field of psychology and my experience being a mental health professional for more than a decade in different capacities such as an academician, researcher, therapist, and trainer. My cherished collaboration with Dr. Susha (my mentor and philosopher) has allowed us both to grow together and expand our team with committed professionals who hold strong credentials. While digitalising the process and services wasn't an easy feat, our team was dedicated to reach those who need our skilled support across the globe. Those relentless efforts has equipped us today to offer all of our services through online platforms including counselling, training, wellness coaching or any other support. That ambitious dream has made strides towards rewarding results. At Bright Ray, we are delighted to be a part of your wellness journey as a fellow traveller!

Academic Qualifications

PhD in Psychology under CHRIST (deemed to be) University, Bengaluru on the topic “Self-Care Practices, Professional Quality of Life and Challenges: An Exploration among Counsellors in Kerala”.

Masters in Psychology (MSc) from Calicut University (University Topper)

Membership in Professional Associations

Associate Member- American Psychological Association

Member - Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists (IACP)

Professional Member- Indian Academy of Professional Supervisors

Life Member- Association of Allied Health Professionals

Life Member- Kerala Counsellors’ Forum

Life Member- Conference of Catholic Psychologists of India

Member- International Editorial Advisory Board for International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science ISSN 2454-6186

Life Member- Association For Psychological Counselling, Christian Counselling Centre, Vellore

Member- Association of Neuro Linguistic Programming, India, Ref - ANLP7339

Additional Qualifications

Certification in Professional Supervision from Australian Counselling Association

Certification in Healing with the Arts from University of Florida

Certification in Solution Focused Brief Therapy

Certification on Existential Well-being Counselling: A Person-centred Experiential Approach from KU LEUVEN University

Certification in Women Entrepreneur Development Programme, IIM Kozhikode

Certification in Research Methods from University of London

Certification in Research Ethics Online Training from The Global Health Training Centre

Qualified UGC – JRF in Psychology

Qualified State Eligibility Test( SET) in Psychology

Certified Practitioner in Neuro Linguistic Programme (NLP)

Work Experience

External Consultant & Subject Expert, Integrated Child Protection Scheme- Department of Women and Child Development, Govt. of Kerala

Assistant Professor (guest), Department of Counselling Psychology, Loyola College of Social Sciences, Trivandrum, Kerala

Faculty, Post Graduate Diploma Course in Counselling conducted by University of Kerala

Trainer in specific Development Programmes at Loyola Extension Services, Trivandrum, Kerala

Guest Lecturer in Psychology at Govt. Higher Secondary School, Malappuram, Kerala

Psychologist at Rehabilitative Institute for Cognitively and Communicatively Challenged, Malappuram, Kerala

Major Professional Engagements

Mental Health promotional talks and discussions in All India Radio

Experiential training workshops on Stress Management and Self Development as part of Capacity Building Program for the Officials from KASE, Animal Husbandry Department, Motor Vehicle Department and Excise Department organized by Digital University, 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

State Panellist of External Mentors of Walk With Scholar Programme by Department of Collegiate Education

Curriculum Development Activities and Training of Trainers (TOT) programs organised by Additional Skill Acquisition Program (ASAP)

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

Invited lectures and experiential learning sessions on Basic Counselling Skills, Gender sensitization and Interpersonal Communication at UGC- Human Resource Development Centre (Academic Staff College), University of Kerala

Session on “Life Skills – Concept and Examples” for Student Police Cadets broadcasted in Drisyapadam- Kite Victres Channel

Experiential training session on Counselling Process & Techniques for 90 Paediatricians (Pan India)

Sessions on “Mental Health and Well-being of Young Adults” for UG & PG students of different colleges across Kerala

Specific Training Programme For School Teachers as part of Souhridaya teachers training programme carried out by Department of Higher Secondary Education as part of Adolescence Counselling and Health Care Programme

Staff Development Programme for Colleges & Schools ( Vimala College Trissur, Marian Arts & Science College, NISH, Marthomma College of Science and Technology, Viswaprakash Central School Trivandrum, Loyola School Mukunthara, Emmanuel College Trivandrum)

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

Series of Awareness programmes (Parental/Adolescence/Counselling) for varied groups organised by many Government departments, Schools, NGOs and Residence Associations

Counselling Training Programme for college teachers as part of Walk With Scholar Programme & Scholar Support Programme organised by Department of Higher Education

Counselling Training Programs For Community Workers of Trivandrum Social Service Society

Manasasthrashilpasala on Depression as part of regional conference of CCPI, Kerala Chapter

Clergy Awareness Programme on Mid Life Crisis of Priests at Bishops Clergy, Diocese of Kannur, Kerala

Major Research Works & Publications

Evaluative study on “Family Strengthening and Responsible Parenting Initiatives” of Department of Women and Child Development, Govt. of Kerala

Authored three books, Koumaravum Kudumbavum : Chila Vichinthanagal (ISBN : 978- 93-5311-487-9) , Self-Development Techniques(ISBN: 978-93-5311-040-6) and Resource Book on Disorders of Childhood (ISBN-978-93-5311-252-3)

Book Chapter “Pretty Women Under The Veil of Secrecy- Vulnerability, Violence and Gender Inequality of Female Sex Workers: A Kerala Perspective” in Making of Distinctions: Towards a Social Science of Inclusive Oppositions, edited by Antony Palackal, Nandita Chaudhary and Giuseppina Marsico published by Information Age Publishing, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

Article on “Supervision- A Glance into the Counselling Practice in India with Special Reference to Kerala” in Wisdom (Newsletter of Indian Academy of Professional Supervisors)

Article on “Mental Health of Youth: Post Pandemic Perspective” featured in Newsletter, ASAP Kerala

Article on “Study Habits for School Children” in Thalir – a Children’s Magazine by Kerala Balasahithya Institute

Article on “Exploration of Parenting Styles in Mentally Retarded Children”, International Journal of Educational Aspects, Management Studies and Applied Science, Volume 2, issue5, ISSN: 2320-0383

Co-authored article on “Test Anxiety and Emotional Intelligence among Adolescents”(2017), Indian Journal of Positive Psychology, Volume 8, Issue 3, ISSN: 2229-4937

Presented a paper on “Attitude Towards Seeking Professional Counselling Help Among College Students” ( 4th International Conference on Counselling, Psychotherapy and Wellness (ICCP 2019) at Christ Deemed to be University, Bangalore)

Presented a paper on “A Positive Look At The Power Of Human Strengths: Forgiveness and Subjective Happiness Among Young IT Professionals” (5th International & 7th National Indian Psychological Science Congress, Punjab University, Chandigarh)

Presented a paper on “ Pretty Women Under The Veil of Secrecy- Vulnerability, Violence and Gender Inequality of Female Sex Workers: A Kerala Perspective” (ICSSR sponsored Collaborative Inter National Seminar On “Gender at the intersection of identity and community: Viewing the landscape of culture in a Changing World” Organised by Department of Sociology, University of Kerala)

Presented a paper on “ Test Anxiety and Emotional Intelligence among Adolescents” ( National Conference On “Contemporary Psychological Issues Among Adolescents- The Way Forward ” Organised by Sacred Heart College, Thirupattur and University of Periyar)

Presented a paper on “Exploration of Parenting Styles in Mentally Retarded Children” ( National seminar on “School Psychology: Mental Health Challenges” Organised by Indian School Psychology Association & Department of Psychology, University of Calicut)