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Clinical Psychology Training in India

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 Psychiatry in India:
Training & training centres
Second Edition

Editors:
T.S. Sathyanarayana Rao
Abhinav Tandon

Publisher:

Indian Journal of Psychiatry

www.indianjpsychiatry.org
Psychiatry in India : Training & training centres
Second edition, the supplement of Indian Journal of Psychiatry

Editors:
T.S. Sathyanarayana Rao
Abhinav Tandon
© Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 2015
Original ISBN No: Print ISSN 0019-5545 E-ISSN 1998 - 3794
Archived at www.indianjpsychiatry.org
First print: 2011
Revised & Updated edition : 2013
Second Edition: 2015
Composed and Printed at:
Ramya Creations
2nd Floor, Madvesha Complex
Nazarbad Main Road, Mysuru 570 010, India.
Phone: 0821 2445187 Email: [email protected]
Cover design by :
Darshan M.S.
Consultant Neuropsychiatrist
Formerly Resident, Dept. of Psychiatry, JSSMC
Mysuru, Karnataka, India.
& Late Anjana M.S.

Copyright © 2015 The entire contents are protected under Indian and International copyrights.
Disclaimer: The information and opinions presented in the Journal and in this book Indian Research in Psychiatry: A
Journey of six decades reflect the views of the authors and not of the Journal or its Editorial Board or the Publishers.
Publication does not constitute endorsement. Neither the Indian Journal of Psychiatry / Indian Research in Psychiatry: A
Journey of six decades nor its publishers nor anyone else involved in creating, producing or delivering the materials
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contained herein is in every respect accurate or complete, and they are not responsible for any errors or omissions or for
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Editorial Office
T. S. Sathyanarayana Rao
Professor and Formerly Head, Department of Psychiatry,
JSS Medical College Hospital, JSS University
M.G. Road, Mysuru - 570004, India
Tel : 0821-2335187
Mob: +91 9845282399 Fax: No. 0821- 2335501
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
Website: www.indianjpsychiatry.org
 Editorial Team
Honorary Editor T. S. Sathyanarayana Rao, Mysuru

Honorary Associate Editors K.S. Shaji, Trissur

Sandeep Grover, Chandigarh

Honorary Deputy Editor Prasad G Rao, Hyderabad

O.P. Singh, Kolkata

Honorary Assistant Editor Abhinav Tandon, Allahabad

Honorary Field Editors Swaminath G, Bangalore

Ajay Singh, Mumbai
Bhatia M.S., Delhi
Chittaranjan Andrade, Bangalore
Debasish Basu, Chandigarh
Devasish Ray, Kolkata
Kamala Deka, Dibrugarh
Kangan Pathak, Guwahati
Margoob Mustaq Ahmed, Srinagar
Om Prakash, New Delhi
Nilesh Shah, Mumbai
Prathap Tharyan, Vellore
Rajshekhar Bipeta, Hyderabad
Sonia Parial, Raipur
Sujata Sethi, Rohtak
Sujit Sarkhel, Ranchi
Suresh Kumar, Chennai
Tandon S.K., Bhopal
Thara, Chennai
Vikram Kumar Yeragani, Bangalore
Vinod Sinha, Ranchi
Vivek C. Kirpekar, Nagpur
41
Clinical Psychology Training in India
L.S.S. Manickam

Clinical psychology is an applied branch of psychology that integrates

science, theory, and practice to understand, predict, and alleviate
maladjustment, disability, and discomfort as well as to promote human
adaptation, adjustment, and personal development. It also focuses on the
intellectual, emotional, cognitive, biological, psychological, social, and
behavioral aspects of human functioning across the life span, in varying
cultures, and at all socioeconomic levels[1]

As an independent discipline, clinical psychology was started in the year 1955

at the Department of Clinical Psychology, All India Institute of Medical
Sciences (NIMHANS). The program was titled as DMP (Diploma in Medical
[2]
Psychology) and was recognized by the Medical Council of India Similar
program was later started at the Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi in
1962. This two year course was offered in different titles until 1996 it was
titled as M.Phil in Clinical Psychology. In 1997 the Rehabilitation Council of
India (RCI) started regulating this two year regular, full time program that is to
be pursued after obtaining regular Masters in Psychology degree and selected
to the program through an entrance examination. Following this several
other institutions started offering this program and currently there are 11
centers in the country that are offering this program ( Appendix1).

Though American Psychological Association views Clinical Psychology as a

general practice and health service provider specialty in professional
psychology, in India it is yet to get the appropriate recognition due to the
paucity of clinical psychologists [3] The role of Clinical psychologists is to
assess, diagnose, predict, prevent, and treat psychopathology, mental
disorders and other individual or group problems to improve behavior
adjustment, adaptation, personal effectiveness and satisfaction. The current
M.Phil in clinical psychology program envisages a person with Masters in
Psychology to become a service provider as well as a scientist.

What distinguishes Clinical Psychology as a general practice specialty is the

breadth of problems addressed and of populations served. Clinical
396 Psychiatry in India : Training & training centres
Psychology, in research, education, training and practice, focuses on
individual differences, abnormal behavior and mental disorders and their
prevention as well as lifestyle enhancement. However the present two year
training is inadequate and it may be replaced with a 3 year Psy.D program in
Clinical Psychology after sufficient revamping and /or 4 year PhD in Clinical
Psychology after the Masters in Psychology. This may prevent brain drain and
would also ensure appropriate employment opportunities in par with the
other specialties. While making changes care has to be taken so that the
trained clinical psychologists could also be motivated to take up research as
well as teaching assignments in Universities which need a Ph.D degree as the
basic qualification for employment as per the current rules and regulations.

Clinical Psychology Training Models in India

If one evaluates the different training programs that are offered in India, there
are 4 models of Clinical Psychology training in India [1]

1. Mental Hospital Model: This is the oldest model that was started in
1955, at the All India Institute of Mental Health (now NIMHANS), which
was associated with the mental hospital. The students get supervised
training while working with inpatients and out patients attending the
mental hospital and later got extended to the Neurology Departments.
Currently it is followed in institutes like CIP, Ranchi, IHBAS Delhi, and
RINPAS, Ranchi. In addition, in view of the guidelines of training
provided by RCI, the trainees get rotatory supervised training in General
Hospital set up. There are more centers that have evinced to start this
model of training in centers attached to the Mental hospitals /Institutes
of Mental Health at Agra, Chandigarh, Chennai and Hyderabad.

2. Super Specialty Model: This model was started in 1999 at Manipal

University and was based on the guidelines of RCI. The program is
offered at the independent department of clinical psychology under the
faculty of Allied Health Sciences and in close link with other
departments of medical college hospital, including department of
psychiatry. The students get supervised training at different
departments like Pediatrics, Cardiology and Neurology. Training
programs at RIMPS, Manipal and Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai
follow this model. There are more centers in the South including JSS
University, Mysore that had taken initiative to start programs based on
this model.

3. Rehabilitation Institute Model: The program of this nature was started

at Sweekar, Secunderabad in 2005. The training occurs primarily in a
rehabilitation center, with exposure to other areas of clinical
psychology, including mandatory posting in rotation in different
 L.S.S. Manickam: Clinical Psychology Training in India 397
medical specialties including psychiatry. More Non Governmental
Organizations working in the area of mental health and disability can
initiate similar programs, that largely cater to the disabled population.

4. University Department Model- This is primarily the model that is

followed in US, popularly known as the Boulder Model. In the past it was
opined that this model has to be experimented in India since it provides
greater opportunity for the clinical psychologists to grow. However it
was started at the University of Kolkata in 2006 and later at Amity
University, UP. The program although based at the University
department, includes the mandatory postings in different medical
specialties including psychiatry, as specified by the regulatory council,
RCI. This gives the opportunity for the trainees to acquire the skills to
provide help to the student community at large through clinics
established within the University campus.

We are yet to evaluate the different models of training. However considering

the vastness and the diversity of our country, we need to make more
innovative approaches in our training. Community based model and school
based model can be tried out. As in the developed countries, the specialties
like school psychology and community psychology, as distinct disciplines may
not emerge soon in our country. Therefore, we may have to experiment with
different models of clinical psychology training. Non-governmental
organizations providing clinical psychology service in rural settings and that
has facilities to provide mandatory training in hospital setting may start the
program with emphasis on rural mental health.

Clinical Psychology And The Emerging Fields

Clinical Child Psychologists who work with children and who help the
learning disabled children in their assessment as well as in providing
psychological support and remedial training have already established
themselves like the psychotherapists and those who work in addiction
centers. However there are some other fields that are emerging in our
country.

Clinical Health Psychology

The training programs that were offered in the medical college setting has
brought out research relating to different health conditions. Research in this
area helped to develop specialties like, psycho oncology, psycho nephrology,
cardiac rehabilitation, and also develop programs for changing life styles
related to cardiac patients and other disciplines related to medicine. It had
also promoted research and service related to dental health.
398 Psychiatry in India : Training & training centres
Clinical Forensic Psychology

The family courts as well as other courts including High Courts seek the
expert opinion of the clinical psychologists. With the increase in use of the
brain mapping and profiling procedures and with the introduction of various
forensic psychological investigative procedures the branch of clinical forensic
psychology is emerging. The scope is high since the homegrown terrorism as
well as international terrorism is posing challenge to the people of our
nation. Interrogation of the suspects has to be done carefully and the clinical
forensic psychologists are trained in that skill. With the starting of clinical
psychology program at the forensic setting at Gujrat, yet another model of
training is likely to emerge.

Rehabilitation Psychology

Working with disabled persons, and focusing on the assessment and caring
for them, the branch of rehabilitation psychology has already emerged.
Though, the rehabilitation psychologists are trained by the clinical
psychologists, their training takes place in the setting where the service
delivery to the intellectually challenged occurs. However it may take some
time for the rehabilitation psychologists to get focused on the chronically
mentally ill as well as those who need neuropsychological rehabilitation.

Clinical Neuropsychology

From administration of 'imported' neuropsychological tests in the eighties,

we have grown to a phase where we have developed different
neuropsychological batteries in several indigeneous languages for the
different populations that help us to assess the extent as well as the area of
dysfunction. Cognitive science is emerging as a distinct discipline of much
significance and therefore the clinical neuropsychologists have a larger stake.
Moreover the advancements made in the area of nuero psychological
rehabilitation is very helpful for a wide variety of population.

The Need of the Hour

The "Status of Disability in India- 2000” report provided by the RCI estimated
that India required 20,000 clinical psychologists in 2000 to meet the exclusive
needs of the disabled persons[4] The number of clinical psychologists that is
required to meet the challenges of disabled persons as projected in this
report by 2020 could be double this figure- about 40,000. However the role of
the clinical psychologists are not limited to the disabled alone. If the clinical
psychologists have to render services as a general practice health provider,
the number required even to meet the present needs is far higher than what is
estimated.
 L.S.S. Manickam: Clinical Psychology Training in India 399
The country would have trained around 2000 clinical psychologists so far. But
the number available in the country for providing service is far less. Clinical
psychology training has to take a big leap in India in the second decade of this
century. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Government of India
is well aware of the need for increasing the number of trained mental health
professionals in the country. Therefore directives have been given for starting
clinical psychology training programs in centers of excellence in different
parts of the country. However to materialize this in increasing pace requires
the support of all the mental health professionals as well as the other health
professionals.

The IACP has about 650 professional members and another 280 associated
members including other professionals such as psychologists who are
specialists in other areas including counseling, education etc and
psychiatrists, social workers, lawyers and other professionals interested in
clinical psychology. As a NGO it has got consultative status with some of the
Ministries of the Government of India and as a result the representatives of
the association are called for consultations. We are hopeful that
Rehabilitation Council of India or another new council that is likely regulate
the clinical psychology training programs in future, do consult IACP in
molding and nurturing the training program. The changes that are in anvil in
restructuring the councils, we trust would bring about the desirable results
that help the growth of the profession of clinical psychology and psychology
in a larger perspective- in taking up the challenges of this great country.

REFERENCE
1. Manickam L S S. Enabling the Disabled, Ind J of Clin. Psy 2009: 36;7-10.
2. Handbook of All India Institute of Mental Health, Bangalore: All India Institute of Mental
Health (NIMHANS) 1959.
3. American Psychological Association. 2009 Presidential Task Force on the Future of
Psychology Practice Final Report. Washington: American Psychological
Association;2009.
4. Singh JP. Ten Years of Progress: RCI towards Nation Building. New Delhi: Rehabilitation
Council of India, 2004.

Appendix 1
(iacp.in)

RCI Recognized Training Centers offering M.Phil In Clinical Psychology in

India
1. Sweekar Rehabilitation Institute for Handicapped, Secunderabad- Andhra Pradesh
sweekaar.org/secbad.html
2. Post Graduate Institute of Behavioural and Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chatishgarh
3. Institute of Human Behavior And Allied Sciences, Delhi. ihbas.delhigovt.nic.in
 400 Psychiatry in India : Training & training centres
4. Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi, 834006, Jharkand cipranchi.nic.in/Index.html
5. Ranchi Institute of Neuro-Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (RINPAS), Ranchi Jharkhand
rinpas.nic.in/index.html
6. Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka manipal.edu
7. National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka.
nimhans.kar.nic.in
8. Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, Manipur, www.rims.edu.in
9. Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, www.srmc.edu
10. Amity Institute of Behavioural Health & Allied Science, Noida, UP amity.edu
11. Department of Psychology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata,700009.:
[email protected]

L.S.S. Manickam
Professor in Clinical Psychology
Department of Psychiatry
JSS University Mysore

Hon. General Secretary of the

Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists.
[email protected]

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