Relaxare-Counselling Cell
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/he faces with stress or anxiety. It is 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 2022. The faculty members in the Psychology department serve as in-house counsellors. External Counsellors are also available to provide counselling.
The Counselling Cell was named Relaxare in the year 2023 as it aims to instil a sense of calmness and tranquillity in the client as opposed to anxiety and agitation.
The goals of Relaxare are:
- To enhance coping skills
- To improve relationships
- To facilitate behaviour, change and psychological wellbeing
- To promote decision making
- To encourage the students to reach their potential
Objectives for counselling (Dunsmoore and Miller)
- To empower students with information on matters important to success
- To keep students informed about strategies that will be of help in solving their problems
- To establish feelings of mutual understanding between student and teacher
- To help the student work out a plan for solving their difficulties
- To help the student know themselves better – their interests, abilities, aptitudes and opportunities
- To encourage and develop special abilities and right attitudes
- To inspire successful endeavour toward attainment
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.
- Longer 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, parents of children from various clinical units also avail the services.
At times, students are counselled because of the concerns of their 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 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 students themselves come for follow up.
