Counselling Centre

Introduction

The Counselling Centre, Bharati College was set up in 2002. In fact, Bharati College was one of the pioneering colleges of Delhi University to have a Counselling Centre that was open on all working days. The Centre is supported by a team of teachers. It works with students and staff to provide free counselling, and to offer a containing and safe space in the service of all in the College.

Each one of us experiences difficult emotions that have to be remembered, repeated and worked through. Somewhere we have to take personal responsibility and surrender our pain for depth and richness in life as we move on.

The Counselling Centre is one step in this direction. It is in the service of students, faculty and the non-teaching staff. In recent years, a number of students, some from violent and dysfunctional families, and others depressive, with a suicidal bent, have been coming to the Centre. Some had severe difficulties in interpersonal relationships, and felt comforted in a safe and containing space. Detailed records have been maintained for each case.

Empathy, trust and neutrality go a long way in containing emotional frailty. It must be mentioned that short term work has yielded results in enhancing the emotional health of quite a few over the years.

The most common difficulties that are encountered as a Counsellor are:

• Stress due to unhelpful parenting strategies
• Sexual abuse and incest
• Moderate anxiety and depression
• Panic attacks
• Nightmares
• Separation anxiety and fear of independence
• Taking recourse to drugs
• Gender identity crisis and fear of accepting it
• Academic failure, inability to concentrate
  
• Loss of appetite/overeating or excessive dieting as a way to manage difficult feelings
• Difficulty in maintaining interpersonal relationships
• Grief
• Lack of Career Guidance

Operational Details

Counselling is the first step in the direction of Mental Health.

The Counsellor - Ms. Sheetal Choudhary (BA, MA in Psychology,) from University of Delhi. She also completed Advanced Diploma in Child Guidance and counselling from NIPCCD. She is a therapist, facilitator and life skills trainer. She is registered with Rehabilitation council of India. Her areas of expertise are child and adolescent counseling, career guidance, family therapy, social skills and parent counseling. She believes that every human can reach their highest potential; all they need is a space where people are nurtured and celebrated for who they are. She uses an empathetic and non-judgmental approach that promotes catharsis, healing and growth.

Counselling Centre has been given an analytic couch by the College, so that counselling sessions are in the standard configuration.

The Rules of the Centre are as follows:

• The Centre is available to all students, faculty and staff members of the College.
• The duration of the Session is 45 minutes.
• Total confidentiality is assured.
• No prior appointment is required, Walk-in is accepted.
• Days and Timings are - Monday and Thursday ( 12:00 Noon - 2:30 pm).

Feelings Ka Adda

The Psychology department has launched a new initiative aimed at promoting positivity. As part of this initiative, several steps have been taken:

1. Created a comprehensive Google form for volunteer selection, which includes sections based on Statement of Purpose, previous experience, and preferred department.
2. Conducted volunteer interviews, led by Tavishi Sanghi, resulting in the final selection of 25 out of 54 shortlisted students.
3. Organized a capacity-building workshop for volunteers, scheduled for March 5th, 6th, and 14th, featuring 8 esteemed psychologists.
4. Developed ethical guidelines for students visiting the vent-out space, outlining the aims and limitations of peer support.
5. Designed a feedback form for students utilizing the booth.
6. Designed the logo, created an Instagram handle, and established an official email address for the project.

Proposed Activities

• We have scheduled the project for March 11th and 18th, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, with the booth located in the central lawn.
• We have planned activities include peer support listening, positive affirmations, free hugs, and a dopamine jar to promote positivity.