The hour-long session conducted by Dr. G. Revathi on November 26, 2024, for the students of Social Work at the Amrita School for Social and Behavioural Sciences, provided an engaging and interactive overview on counselling.

A renowned and respected Counsellor and Psychotherapist, with an M.S. in Counselling Psychology & PhD in Organisational Psychology, Dr. Revathi brings with her 21 years of rich experience spread across academia, education and industry.

The session provided key insights into the various aspects of mental health and counselling in the field of social work, including the difference in responsibilities between counsellors, who handle psychological issues, and mental health social workers, who address mental health issues on a societal context. She also shed light on key terms and methodologies used in counselling and psychotherapy, such as person-centred, Gestalt, behaviour therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy, reality therapy, feminist approach, family system and in post-modern approaches like solution-focused brief (SFBT) and narrative therapy. She also shared diverse employment possibilities in educational institutions like schools as guidance counselling and socio-motional counselling, in healthcare institutions such as hospitals and treatment centres, rehabilitation clinics like addiction and physical rehabilitation centres, as well as in the corporate sector and NGOs.

One of the most definitive moments in the talk was the discussion on the perception of mental health in India. Dr. Revathi provided insight into issues such as labelling and social and cultural stigma, hesitancy to invest in mental health treatment and intervention, and the difference in approach towards mental health between urban and rural communities.

She highlighted the key role young members of the community have played in raising awareness and acceptance of mental health and the pathbreaking role technology, through websites and apps, in bridging the gap between patients and professionals.

She also emphasised the importance of ethical conduct and professional integrity in counselling, demonstrating that right conduct and integrity are the backbone of counselling and intervention. She reiterated the importance of respecting the beneficiary’s rights and dignity, ending the session with a powerful statement, “Even if a therapist cannot help, take care not to harm.”

Five Ethics in Counselling

General principles to be followed during counselling are

Principle A Beneficence and Nonmaleficence, Principle B Friendly and Responsibility, Principle C integrity, Principle D Justice and Principle E.

Dr. Revathy highlighted the qualifications of psychiatrist and their role, who all are licensed clinical psychologists in the Indian context who are registered counsellors, what are their minimum qualifications, etc. Her knowledge and experiences gave valuable insight into psychotherapy, how society or social stigma affects professional limitation and some specialised areas of practice.

The session wrapped up after a heartfelt vote of thanks from Dr. Parvathy V. (Chairperson, Department of Social Sciences, School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Amritapuri), who expressed her appreciation for Dr. Revathy’s edifying session on counselling in the mental health profession.