Centre of Counselling & Psychological Services

Institution: School of Liberal Arts, Dr. D. Y. Patil Dnyan Prasad University, Pune

Beneficiaries: Students and Staff of all sister campuses at Dr. D. Y. Patil Dnyan Prasad University, Pune

Location: Counselling Centre, 5th Floor, New Campus, Jeevan Nagar, Tathawade, Pune, and all counselling centres at the sister campuses of Dr. D. Y. Patil Dnyan Prasad University, Pune.

Operating Hours: Monday - Friday, 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Executive Summary

The Centre of Counselling & Psychological Services aims to provide holistic and confidential psychological support to the students and staff of all sister campuses at Dr. D. Y. Patil Dnyan Prasad University, Pune. It offers a wide range of services including personality and behavioural assessments, individual and group counselling, and proactive mental health initiatives. Through these efforts, the Centre fosters a supportive environment that promotes academic success, personal growth, and overall well-being.

Vision Statement

To be a leading Centre in providing accessible, ethical, and high-quality psychological and counselling services, promoting mental well-being, resilience, and personal development within the university community.

Mission Statement

To offer comprehensive, confidential, and evidence-based counselling and psychological services to students and staff.
To facilitate personal growth, emotional well-being, and academic/professional success through tailored interventions.
To conduct personality and behavioural assessments for deeper understanding and targeted support.
To maintain the highest standards of confidentiality and ethical practice in all interactions and record-keeping.
To foster a culture of mental health awareness and destigmatization within the university.

Objectives

Provide Accessible Counselling: Offer timely and accessible individual and group counselling sessions to address a wide range of psychological and emotional concerns.
Conduct Assessments: Administer relevant personality, aptitude, and behavioural tests to aid in diagnosis, self-discovery, and intervention planning.
Implement Interventions: Design and deliver effective psychological interventions, workshops, and seminars focusing on stress management, resilience building, interpersonal skills, and academic/professional development.
Ensure Confidentiality: Establish robust protocols for maintaining the utmost confidentiality of all client data and session details.
Maintain Records: Develop a secure and systematic record-keeping system for client information, session notes, and assessment results.
Promote Awareness: Organize mental health awareness campaigns and workshops to educate the university community and reduce stigma associated with seeking psychological help.
Foster Collaboration: Collaborate with faculty, administration, and other relevant departments to integrate mental health support into the broader university framework.

Scope of Services

The Centre of Counselling and Psychological Services will offer a comprehensive suite of services, including but not limited to:

Individual Counselling: One-on-one sessions addressing personal, emotional, academic, career, and relational challenges.
Group Counselling/Therapy: Facilitated group sessions for common issues, fostering peer support and shared learning.
Personality and Behavioural Assessments:

Personality Tests: E.g., MBTI, Big Five Personality Traits, DISC Assessment, etc., to help individuals understand their preferences and strengths.
Behavioural Assessments: E.g., Stress coping mechanisms, conflict resolution styles, emotional intelligence assessments.
Aptitude and Interest Inventories: To assist with career guidance and academic choices.

Crisis Intervention: Immediate support for individuals experiencing acute psychological distress or emergencies.
Workshops and Seminars: Regular sessions on topics such as:

Stress and Anxiety Management
Time Management and Study Skills
Coping with Academic Pressure
Building Resilience
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Emotional Intelligence Development
Mindfulness and Well-being Practices

Referral Services: Guiding individuals to specialized external services when their needs fall outside the Centre’s scope.
Consultation: Providing guidance and support to faculty and staff on how to address student well-being concerns.

Operational Framework

Staffing
The Centre of Counselling and Psychological Services will be staffed by qualified professionals:
- Head of Centre/Lead Counsellor: A licensed clinical psychologist or experienced counselling psychologist with a minimum of 5-7 years of experience in educational settings.
- Counselling Psychologists/Therapists: Qualified professionals with Master's or Ph.D. degrees in Psychology, Counselling, or Clinical Psychology.
- Administrative Assistant: To manage appointments, record-keeping, and general office administration.
- (Optional: Interns/Trainees from the School of Liberal Arts Psychology program, under strict supervision, to gain practical experience.)
Infrastructure
The Counselling Centre on the 5th floor of the new campus at Jeevan Nagar, Tathawade, Pune, along with the Centres of the respective campuses will be equipped with
- Private Counselling Rooms: Soundproofed, comfortable, and confidential spaces for individual sessions.
- Group Therapy Room: A larger space for group sessions and workshops.
- Waiting Area: A welcoming and comfortable space for clients.
- Assessment Room: A dedicated area for administering psychological tests.
- Administrative Office: For staff and record-keeping.
- Essential Equipment: Computers, secure filing cabinets, assessment kits, relaxation aids, and relevant psychological resources.
Operating Hours and Appointment System
- Timings: Monday to Friday, 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
- Appointment System: A user-friendly online or manual appointment booking system will be implemented. Walk-in emergencies will be accommodated as per protocol.
- Initial Consultation: All new clients will undergo an initial consultation to assess their needs and determine the most appropriate course of action.

Confidentiality and Record Keeping

Maintaining the highest level of confidentiality is paramount to building trust and ensuring effective service delivery.

Confidentiality Protocols
- Ethical Guidelines: All counsellors will strictly adhere to professional ethical codes (e.g., APA, BACP, or Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists guidelines).
- Informed Consent: Clients will be fully informed about the nature of the services, confidentiality policies, and limits to confidentiality (e.g., risk of harm to self or others, legal mandates) before commencing sessions.
- Secure Environment: All physical and digital records will be stored in highly secure environments.
- Staff Training: All Centre of Counselling and Psychological Services staff will undergo regular training on confidentiality protocols and data protection.
- Anonymity in Reporting: Any aggregate data or reports generated for administrative purposes will be fully anonymized to protect individual identities.
Record Keeping
- Digital Record System: A secure, password-protected digital record-keeping system will be utilized. This system should be compliant with data protection regulations.
- Physical Records: Any physical records will be stored in locked cabinets within a secure office.
- Content of Records: Records will include:
- Access Control: Access to client records will be strictly limited to authorized Centre staff on a need-to-know basis.
- Retention Policy: A clear policy for the retention and eventual secure disposal of records will be established in accordance with legal and ethical guidelines.

Promotion and Outreach

To ensure maximum utilization of services, the Centre will engage in proactive outreach

Orientation Programs: Introduce Centre services during student and staff orientation programs.
Digital Presence: Create a dedicated section on the university website and utilize social media for awareness campaigns.
Brochures and Posters: Distribute informational materials across campus, particularly at the School of Management and Research.
Workshops and Seminars: Offer introductory workshops on mental well-being to various departments.
Faculty and Staff Sensitization: Conduct sessions for faculty and staff on recognizing signs of distress and referring individuals to the Centre.

Monitoring and Evaluation

The Centre's effectiveness will be regularly monitored and evaluated through

Client Feedback: Anonymous feedback surveys to gauge satisfaction and identify areas for improvement.
Service Utilization Data: Tracking the number of sessions, types of concerns, and demographics of clients.
Outcome Measures: Where appropriate and ethical, using pre- and post-intervention measures to assess the impact of counselling.
Regular Staff Meetings: To discuss cases (anonymously), review protocols, and ensure continuous professional development.
Annual Reports: Submission of comprehensive annual reports to the university administration detailing activities, outcomes, and recommendations.

Budgetary Considerations (Preliminary)

A detailed budget will be developed, covering:

Personnel Costs: Salaries for counsellors, administrative staff.
Infrastructure Setup: Furnishing, soundproofing, IT equipment, security systems.
Assessment Tools: Purchase and licensing of psychological tests.
Training and Professional Development: Ongoing training for staff.
Outreach and Awareness: Materials, event costs.
Software/Licensing: Secure record-keeping software.
Contingency: For unforeseen expenses.

Conclusion

The establishment of a Centre of Counselling & Psychological Services at the School of Liberal Arts will be a significant step towards prioritizing the mental health and well-being of the students and staff at all sister campuses falling under Dr. D. Y. Patil Dnyan Prasad University, Pune by providing professional, confidential, and accessible services, the Centre will contribute to a healthier, more productive, and supportive academic and professional environment.