Caring Minds' Akademia in talks with JU

Kolkata: Caring Minds' third wing 'Akademia' is in the advanced stage of talks with Jadavpur University for offering course in psychological counselling.

On the sidelines of a summit on Mental Healthcare organised by Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Minu Budhia, founder director of Caring Minds said: "We are presently offering one year 'Post-Graduate Diploma in Basic Counselling' course which is affiliated to Calcutta University. This course is open to all with no age bar. Classes are held on week days. Now, we will do a similar course in collaboration with Jadavpur University. The MoU will be signed soon."

The course will provide an understanding of what psychotherapy and counselling mean, the concepts of normal and abnormal behaviour patterns, theories of personality and development, schools of thought in psychology and treatment and management of psychological disorders and conditions.

The affiliated programme with CU that was inaugurated on July, 2015 by Governor Keshari NathTripathi and state Education minister Partha Chatterjee is having its third batch this year with 15 students.

After completing the yearly course, people have got jobs as counsellors in educational institutions. The Akademia is also introducing new subjects like autism, behavioural therapy, play therapy etc as part of its course.

Budhia said that the Caring Minds th at has stepped in its fourth year has been organising workshops and tailor-made skill enhancing training program for students, parents and also for teachers and administrators in schools in the city.

"Presently we are doing workshops in leading schools like St. Xaviers, La Martiniere, South City International etc for overcoming examination stress," she said.