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Counselling Psychology Assignment

COUNSELLING PSYCHOLOGY ASSIGNMENT

Sanya Goel

Aryabhatta College, Delhi University

B.A. (Hons.) Psychology

Dr. Thangbiakching
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Counselling Psychology Assignment

Status Of Counselling in India

Introduction- What Is Counselling?

Rogers stated that “counselling is the process by which the structure of the self is relaxed

in the safety of the client’s relationship with the therapist, and previously denied experiences are

perceived and then integrated into an alter self.” According to Pepinsky & Pepinsky,

“counselling is that interaction which occurs between two individuals called counselor and

client, takes place in a professional setting, is initiated and maintained to facilitate changes in the

behavior of the client.”

There is a dire need of counselling in the modern contemporary world that we live in

because every individual faces some stressor in their day-to-day lives, which if left unresolved,

can interfere with daily functioning and efficiency.

The major functions of counselling include promotion, prevention, intervention,

restoration and accelerating growth of individuals. Counselling helps in developing positive

mental health of individuals.

Counselling offers a supportive and non-judgmental environment where individuals can explore

their thoughts and emotions, gain clarity and work towards living a more fulfilling life.

Counselling Practice in India and Its Emergence (When Was The Need Recognized?)

Although counselling has grown significantly in India in recent years, there are still a

number of obstacles to overcome. Even though conventional wisdom on mental health is

changing, getting professional assistance for psychological problems is still stigmatised. But as a
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Counselling Psychology Assignment

result of growing advocacy and awareness, counselling is now more widely acknowledged as a

valid kind of support.

Although the formal establishment of counselling as a profession took some time to

develop, the need for counselling in India started to gain attention in the latter half of the 20th

century.

Following independence, India underwent major social, cultural, and economic

transformations, especially in the 1960s and 1970s. Traditional family structures, educational

programmes, and job opportunities changed as a result of these developments, posing new

difficulties and stressors for both individuals and communities.

Around this time, the Indian government, educational establishments, and social groups

began to realise how critical it was to offer assistance and direction to people dealing with a

range of psychological and personal challenges. In order to help students make educated

decisions about their academic and professional futures, counselling services were initially

primarily focused on providing career and educational guidance.

But as mental health issues gained more attention both domestically and internationally,

more people in India realised they needed counselling services to address more extensive

psychological and emotional issues. Research and advocacy initiatives emphasising the

prevalence of mental health disorders and the influence of social and cultural factors on mental

well-being further contributed to this recognition.

In 1915, Calcutta University established India's first psychological laboratory. Dr. G. S.

Bose oversaw the establishment of a distinct department of Applied Psychology research in 1936
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Counselling Psychology Assignment

to implement psychological tests created in America that would be appropriate for Indian

conditions and meet the needs of Indian students in terms of their career paths. Later, psychology

became more prevalent at Patna University and Bombay University. The Vocational Guidance

Bureau was established by the Bombay government in 1947 and became the Institute of

Vocational Guidance in 1957. The Vocational Guidance Association of Bombay was established

in 1952 to oversee the work of different organisations and people providing guidance in

Bombay. Eventually, the branch of psychology and cruciality of counselling practices gained

importance throughout India.

Current State Of Psychology in India

One out of five people need counselling at least once in their lives, about 6% of people

need medications for mental health problems. According to the government’s statistics, 20% of

Indians need counselling at some point of their lives. One per cent of the population suffers from

serious mental health disorders, while 5-10% of Indians suffer from moderate disorders.

Dr Shubhangi Parkar, head of the psychiatry department at KEM Hospital, said that the

prevalence of mental health issues ranges from 10 to as many as 370 people per every 1,000

population in various parts of the country.

The need for counselling services is rising in India as mental health concerns are

becoming more widely acknowledged. This change has been attributed to a number of factors,

including urbanisation, shifting lifestyles, and increased awareness campaigns. But in many areas

of Indian society, there is still stigma associated with mental health issues, which can prevent

people from getting the care they need.

The availability of counselling services is expanding across a range of contexts, including

community centres, workplaces, hospitals, and educational institutions. Numerous governmental

and non-governmental organisations have started initiatives to offer counselling support to

various groups, including marginalised communities, workers, and students.

The counselling industry is growing increasingly standardised and controlled. In order to

guarantee high standards of practice, professional training and certification are becoming more

and more important for counsellors. Counselling psychology and related fields are offered as

degree programmes and courses by a number of universities and institutions. More uniformity

and control over counselling practises is still required in India, though.

There are initiatives afoot to incorporate counselling and mental health services into the

larger healthcare framework. This includes programmes to create mental health support services

at primary care facilities and teach primary healthcare staff the fundamentals of counselling.

Nonetheless, there are issues with infrastructure, awareness among healthcare providers, and

resource allocation.

There is a growing pool of career options available to students. But as career options have

increased, so too has people's confusion over course, country, college, and career. On their own,

students may find it challenging to explore new options and determine which career path best

suits them. In order to make informed decisions and choose the best career option—and, by

extension, the best course, country, and college—career counselling has become essential for

parents and students.

With the introduction of technology, digital counselling platforms and helplines have

proliferated, offering remote support to people who might not have access to conventional in-
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Counselling Psychology Assignment

person counselling services. Although these platforms are convenient and anonymous, they also

bring up issues with quality control, data privacy, and the digital divide.

My Opinion

In my opinion, the acknowledgement and awareness of counselling practices and

importance of mental health awareness has in India has grown over the years but there’s still a

taboo and stigma attached to it and people still hesitate to talk about it.

In rural areas, semi-urban areas and in fact in some urban areas, people fail to

acknowledge and learn that going to a counsellor or therapist for mental health sanity is as

important as going to a physician for physical pain and movements.

Despite the progress, there are several challenges and gaps in the counselling landscape

in India. These include a shortage of qualified counsellors, especially in rural areas; uneven

distribution of counselling services; lack of awareness about mental health issues; and socio-

cultural barriers to seeking help. Addressing these challenges requires multi-sectoral

collaboration, investment in mental health infrastructure, and ongoing efforts to reduce stigma

and increase access to care.

Counselling in Western countries tends to encompass a wide range of issues, including

mental health concerns, relationship difficulties, substance abuse, career guidance, and more.

Indian counselling historically focused more on educational and career guidance, but it's now

expanding to address broader mental health and psychosocial issues. Indian counselling often

needs to navigate diverse cultural beliefs, values, and norms. This includes considerations of

collectivist vs. individualistic orientations, hierarchical family structures, and the influence of
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Counselling Psychology Assignment

religion and spirituality. In contrast, Western countries typically have more individualistic

cultures, which may impact how counselling is approached and perceived.

Conclusion

Counselling in India has seen a dramatic change and progress over years. Although, some

challenges are there to be bridged but the need of counselling sessions and practices have gained

importance and increased acknowledgment.

References

Arulmani, G., & Nag Arulmani, S.(2004). Career Counselling: A handbook. New Delhi: Tata

McGraw Hill.

Lawrence H. Gerstein, P. Paul Hepner, Stephania Egisdottir, Seung-Ming Alven leung &

Kathryn L. Norsworthy (2009). International Handbook of Cross-cultural Counseling:

Cultural Assumptions and Practices Worldwide. Sage Publications Inc. NY.

Sharma, Ramnath and Sharma, Rachna (2010). Guidance and Counselling in India. Atlantic

publishers, New Delhi.