Sam Wang’s Post

Being a Psychology fraternity and years of experience in counselling and academics I would never suggest to narrow down beauty and utility of Psychology only to Clinical Psychology. The recent BSc course rolled out by RCI is a good initiative as it talks of rigour in training clinical psychologists from the nascent stage. However, the course is meant only for students with science background plus training would be provided in clinical psychology. Therefore, naming it as a degree to have a licensed counselling psychologist is questionable. Being vice president of BCPA and more than fifteen years experience in the field, I think BA and Bsc courses in counselling psychology with current NEP suggestion would be appropriate programmes to build counselling psychologists. As a counselling psychologist work on varied topics ranging from prevention and maintaining daily wellbeing across life span and segments, both counselling and clinical psychologist together could provide better care and wellbeing services. If we all join hands (clinical, counselling, social, career, community) together we can actually barge the mental health and wellbeing needs of our country. Bringing everything down to one field is neither good for comprehensive training nor specialization needs of each field could be met by RCI. We at BCPA are strongly advocating to understand the need to build a field of counselling psychology. RCI are welcome to discuss the same with us. As both organisations with several others are dedicated towards catering to mental health needs of people with a diverse set of approaches and capabilities. let's first, sign this petition to get counselling psychologist a separate status and not get them confused with clinical psychologist. https://chng.it/CMs5fxf2jD

This is one of the most interesting courses I have completed in my counselling career. Brainspotting is a therapeutic technique that's gaining attention and popularity in the field of counseling and psychotherapy. Developed by David Grand, PhD, brainspotting is a relatively new approach that focuses on accessing, processing, and releasing deep emotional and somatic experiences. Here are some key points and thoughts on brainspotting: Focused Technique: Brainspotting involves identifying specific "brainspots" or eye positions that correlate with the activation of traumatic or emotionally charged experiences in the brain. By maintaining focus on these spots, individuals can access and process underlying emotions and memories. Somatic Experiences: Unlike traditional talk therapy, brainspotting recognizes the significance of somatic experiences—physical sensations and responses—in processing trauma and emotional distress. This approach acknowledges that trauma and emotional issues are not purely psychological but also deeply rooted in the body. Nonverbal Communication: Brainspotting allows clients to explore and process their emotions without relying solely on verbal communication. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals who struggle to articulate their feelings or who have experienced trauma that is difficult to verbalize. Integration of Neuroscience: Brainspotting integrates concepts from neuroscience, particularly the understanding of how the brain processes and stores traumatic experiences. By leveraging the brain's natural ability to heal itself, brainspotting aims to facilitate emotional processing and resolution. Complementary Approach: Brainspotting can be used as a standalone therapy or integrated into existing therapeutic modalities, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). It offers therapists and clients another tool for addressing trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns. Overall, brainspotting represents an innovative approach to trauma therapy and emotional healing. As with any therapeutic technique, its effectiveness can vary depending on the individual, the therapist's skill and experience, and the specific context in which it's applied. As research and clinical experience with brainspotting continue to evolve, its role in mental health treatment may become more defined.

Ongoing confusion in the field of psychology, with new information coming to light, has made me wonder about the future in this field. We all are susceptible to such obstacles- I was wondering what if someday some organisation is set up to check on the gyms in the country. Now, only one body will certify the trainers, and, therefore, all those so-called certified trainers- the credibility of the person certifying them goes unquestioned- will go unethical within moments of such notification. Talking to people part of the Bhartiya Counselling Psychology Association, they too say that RCI, which focused on the special population and then clinical, is now trying to indulge in counselling psychology. The attempt, whatsoever, has loopholes like studying clinical psychology and then becoming a counselling psychologist and giving science students the opportunity, but there is no clarity over students who get psychology as a humanities subject in their school and not those opting for science. After discussing with people in the clinical field, I affirm their focus is on assessment before they use psychotherapies for the client. The clinical field is more related to tackling disorders- identifying, assessing and then using psychotherapies- while counselling psychologists tackle daily stressors, maladaptive behaviours, etc., using evidence-based approaches or other psychotherapies.  Now, the demand for regulating the field of counselling psychology is there because there are people who do certificate courses and start taking counselling, and there is no law to protect the clients from them. Though that certificate course may teach them to work on themselves, working with a population without having training in the area does raise questions, despite what knowledge a person has. Then there are those social media influencers, life coaches, etc., who offer counselling because they feel they are good at giving advice or may have overcome some severe issues in life. Again, therapy is not purely about offering suggestions.  Anyway, RCI not looking at the ground reality and working on notifications which fail to give clarity makes us question the authority in charge. The chaos that is increasing among the students, and the time the already trained professionals- having a master's degree and training with psychotherapeutic approaches- will have to spend if they go for an M.phil to get a license where the coursework is more into the clinical aspect of the field is chaotic. Besides that, the number of seats available all over India per academic session is another problem. I don't know when we will get the answers and the clarity for the future of counselling psychologists here in India. Till then, other fellow counselling psychologists can check the Bhartiya Counselling Psychology Association (www.bcpa.in) and their petition:  #counsellingpsychologist #clinicalpsychologist #psychology #mentalhealth #rci #rehabilitationcouncilofindia

For people who don't know, I'm Arushi, a trained trauma-informed psychotherapist with 7 years of experience. There's an important reason why I'm mentioning these words here.  I moved to Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh almost 3 years back. In these 3 years, I've seen enough to be able to understand the "psuedo-healer" culture that prevails here. In the lanes of Dharamkot, one will see posters of "meditative healing practitioner", "barefoot counsellors", NLP coaches, therapists taking their friends as clients, inner child healing practitioners offering sessions for money I can't even imagine asking for, as a trained trauma-informed psychotherapist.  Today as I shared this with my fellow practitioners, I received an acknowledgement that my annoyances are valid, and my questions, indeed, are important to ask. Some personal experiences:  1. A therapist working with people who are their friends, because the place is quite small. Where's the ethical boundary? 2. A therapist asking for some medical advice from a friend of mine and offering her one session free. Is therapy a transactional barter relationship? 3. Someone mentioning they are a barefoot counsellor and can provide informal counselling. They also mentioned that they can't see clients, but what is informal counselling? 4. Going with a Gaddi (community) family to Tanda Medical Hospital to understand why a family member is eating anti-psychotics since 9 years. What's the assessment? What's the treatment plan? The questions were not only dismissed. I was asked to move out even though the Mental Health Care Act, 2017, allows all of us to ask these questions. 5. An organisation wanting to work on mental health don't even know the nuances of what's the role of psychologists, psychiatrists, and using terms "stress disorder" so mildly.  6. A well-known organisation calling facilitators to work with intergenerational trauma and inner child healing who haven't been trained in the field of Psychology and Mental Health. 7. So many people using the words - therapist, healing, counselling.. so loosely.  I'm in no way saying we don't require more healers. We also require healing for healers. However, it makes me question the importance of my degree in Psychology and the 7 years of work. No, not because I'm not worthy, but because my starting base in Dharamshala would not be starting my private practice. It will be creating awareness at the root level.  Looking forward to hear your perspectives. :)

RESEARCH TOPICS IN COUNSELING AND PSYCHOLOGY     ATTENTION: BEFORE YOU READ THE PROJECT TOPICS BELOW, PLEASE READ THE INFORMATION BELOW.THANK YOU!   NOTE: WE WILL SEND YOU THE ABSTRACT, TABLE OF CONTENT AND CHAPTER ONE OF YOUR APPROVED TOPIC FOR FREE. CHOOSE FROM THE LIST OF TOPICS BELOW. SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AND THE APPROVED PROJECT TOPIC TO ANY OF THESE NUMBERS-08068231953, 08168759420   WE WILL THEN SEND THE ABSTRACT, TABLE OF CONTENT AND CHAPTER ONE FOR FREE   NOTE ALSO: WE CAN ALSO DEVELOP THE FULL PROJECT WORK CALL: 08068231953, 08168759420     RESEARCH TOPICS IN COUNSELING AND PSYCHOLOGY   1.   The Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Self-Esteem 2. Exploring the Efficacy of Online Counseling Platforms 2.   Cross-Cultural Differences in Coping Mechanisms for Stress 3.   The Role of Family Dynamics in Adolescent Depression 4.   Examining the Effectiveness of Mindfulness Meditation in Anxiety Reduction 5.   Gender Differences in Coping Strategies for Workplace Stress 6.   The Relationship Between Childhood Trauma and Adult Attachment Styles 7.   The Influence of Parenting Styles on Emotional Intelligence in Children 8.   The Psychosocial Effects of Long-Term Remote Work on Employees 9.   Investigating the Connection Between Personality Types and Career Satisfaction 10. Assessing the Impact of Bullying on Mental Health in Adolescents 11. The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership Success 12. Cultural Competence in Counseling: Challenges and Strategies 13. Examining the Link Between Sleep Quality and Mental Health 14. The Impact of Early Intervention Programs on Childhood Behavioral Issues 15. Psychoeducation and its Role in Mental Health Treatment 16. The Relationship Between Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders 17. Exploring the Influence of Family Support on Addiction Recovery 18. The Use of Animal-Assisted Therapy in Treating PTSD 19. The Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Treating Social Anxiety 20. Investigating the Connection Between Nutrition and Mental Health   READ MORE www.freshprojects.com.ng  

In Taiwan, certain types of conversations exceed the boundaries of general communication and are considered professional psychological counseling. According to the Psychologists Act and professional ethical standards, the following content and activities must be conducted by licensed psychological counselors: --- 1. Conversations Related to Psychological Diagnosis and Assessment Emotional States: In-depth discussions about anxiety, depression, anger, fear, and other emotional issues, including assessments or analyses. Behavioral Issues: Analyzing specific behaviors to determine if they reflect psychological problems or disorders (e.g., compulsive behaviors, binge eating). Interpretation of Psychological Tests: Explaining and analyzing psychological test results (e.g., personality tests, stress assessments). --- 2. Conversations Involving Psychological Therapy Traumatic Events: Discussing and addressing personal emotions and psychological trauma related to sexual assault, domestic violence, major losses, etc. Deep Psychological Exploration: Uncovering issues related to the client’s subconscious, childhood experiences, past psychological wounds, or emotional burdens. Behavior Modification: Helping clients change unhealthy behavioral patterns or negative thought processes (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy). --- 3. Crisis Intervention and Emergency Handling Suicidal Thoughts or Self-Harm: Intervening when a client expresses suicidal intentions or engages in self-harm behaviors. Threats to Others' Safety: Addressing situations where a client poses potential harm to others (e.g., violent or aggressive plans). Potential Mental Illness: Discussing topics that may involve mental illness diagnoses (e.g., hallucinations, delusions). --- 4. Interpersonal and Major Life Issues Marriage or Family Conflicts: Exploring complex family relationships, partner conflicts, or parent-child issues in-depth. Major Life Changes: Discussions around significant life transitions such as divorce, unemployment, or bereavement that require emotional support and adaptation. --- 5. Professional Advice and Guidance Mental Health Guidance: Offering professional advice on stress management, emotional regulation, sleep issues, etc. Psychological Growth and Self-Exploration: Helping clients understand their inner needs, values, or goals to foster personal development. --- Why Do These Conversations Require a Licensed Psychological Counselor? 1. Professional Knowledge: Psychological counselors are trained to assess and address psychological issues, avoiding misguidance. 2. Ethical Standards: Counselors follow confidentiality and nonjudgmental principles, providing a safe environment for communication.

Psychologists play an important role in promoting mental health and assisting individuals in managing various mental health disorders. In developed countries, people from diverse backgrounds, including professionals, students, and homemakers, seek the guidance of psychologists. The acceptance of this practice is widespread among families and society as a whole.   However, it is disheartening to acknowledge a different reality that exists in our country. Many educated individuals express concerns about seeking help from psychologists, fearing that others will perceive them as "crazy." Consequently, those who have undergone therapy or consulted a psychologist often conceal this information.   This tendency to hide one's challenges can have detrimental effects on both physical and mental well-being. It may lead individuals down a path they never intended, causing their lives to veer off course. This situation is truly saddening.   By succumbing to societal judgment, we subject ourselves to the constant stress of conforming to conventional norms. When faced with challenges, our minds become trapped in a cycle of repetitive thoughts, hindering our ability to think beyond a certain point. However, we can easily dispel our doubts and random thoughts by engaging in conversations with experienced individuals who possess a wealth of knowledge, without the need for medication. All it takes is a firm decision to seek help.   At times, many of us find ourselves stuck in a rut or experiencing indecisiveness in our personal or professional lives. During such periods, we struggle to concentrate and often make incorrect decisions. In addition to psychologists, there is another profession known as a "Life Coach" who can provide valuable assistance without judgment. Although this profession may not be widely recognized in our country yet, a life coach focuses on helping individuals overcome their current challenges while also aiding in goal identification and action planning.   It is essential to break free from the fear of judgment and embrace the support available to us. Seeking help from mental health professionals, whether psychologists or life coaches, can lead to personal growth, improved well-being, and a more fulfilling life.   There are several key distinctions between a psychologist and a life coach: 1. When seeking guidance from a life coach, rest assured that you will not face any judgment. 2. Unlike psychologists, life coaches do not offer direct counseling services. 3. Life coaches do not possess the expertise to diagnose mental health disorders. 4. It is important to note that life coaches are not authorized to prescribe medication or administer therapy unless they have received specific training such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and so on.   Ultimately, the responsibility for your mental health and well-being lies solely with you. Prioritizing self-love enables you to extend love and care to others as well. #mentalhealthmatters

Seeking guidance from a life coach, rest assured that you will not face any judgment...the responsibility for your mental health and well-being lies solely with you. Prioritizing self-love enables you to extend love and care to others as well. #wellbeing #mentalhealth #wellness #paradigmshift #selfcare #loveyourselffirst #thoughtful #mindfullness #lifecoach #shiftinthinking #lookaround #optiontosolution

Speaking with a professional #wellbeing coach, a #psychologist, or an experienced #counsellor can help us identify various ways to become involved and live a #trauma-free life, which enables us to move forward without encountering more challenges when we hold ourselves responsible for numerous failures and pass #judgement quickly, pushing us to the next level of a #traumatic situation.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝘃𝘀 𝗥𝗖𝗜 𝗱𝗲𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗲 The recent blunder by the Rehabilitation Council of India in awarding a license to Counselling Psychologists after a 4 year undergraduate degree is not only laughable, it is offensive to all the Counselling Psychologists contributing to the current MHP workforce. I'm a RCI licensed Clinical Psychologist and when I founded my company The Emotional Wellness Initiatives in 2020, a majority of my team was made up of Counselling Psychologists. That holds true today, 4 years later, as well. And I intend to keep it that way in the future. The purpose of my post today is not to undermine the work Clinical Psychologists do (I am one too, after all!). It is to highlight what Counselling Psychologists do and I think more Clinical Psychologists need to speak up about the role of Counselling Psychologists to enhance the parity in the field. So here are my reasons why I love to work with Counselling Psychologists: ✅They are not boxed-in by "diagnosis" ✅They have a natural knack to look at clients in their entirety than a cluster of symptoms ✅They are able to work as efficiently without a formal diagnosis, as with one ✅They are more open minded about trying newer approaches in therapy ✅They are less apprehensive about taking experimental chances in therapy ✅They have limitless potential to expand their expertise due to the openness of their role I have even had the pleasure of working with some fantastic second-career Counselling Psychologists. Yes, they finished their Masters through correspondence but I saw a spark in them and a very strong natural knack to make it as a good therapist. I gave them chances in my company and have watched them blossom into amazingly effective therapists. So restricting the Counselling Psychologist licensing degree to science students and awarding the license after 4 years of undergraduate degree is an insult to the entire crop of Counselling Psychologists in the field today - to their immense contribution to mental health and to their efforts invested in becoming a better therapist every day. 𝗜 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮 and I will always have respect for the career track they have followed through the BA + MA + additional training pattern. RCI needs to come up with a licensing qualification AFTER the BA + MA track, instead of introducing another form of elitism by restricting it to science students. I urge all Clinical Psychologists to speak up for the Counselling Psychologists and stand by our colleagues. 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 '𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧' 𝙛𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩. 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 '𝙤𝙪𝙧' 𝙛𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚'𝙨 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 '𝙙𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙪𝙡𝙚' 𝙍𝘾𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙙 𝙨𝙤 𝙛𝙖𝙧 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝 𝙛𝙞𝙚𝙡𝙙. 𝙇𝙚𝙩'𝙨 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙞𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧! #mentalhealth