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THE MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSION
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Types of Mental Health Professionals
Psychiatry, Clinical Psychology & Psychiatric
Social Work have been described as the major mental health professions,
since they are the most centrally involved in providing care for
psychologically disturbed persons. Recently, a new branch has started
attracting attention in this field- Counselling Psychology &
Psychotherapy.
The field of Psychiatry comes under the purview of Medical Council of
India (M.C.I.) & that of Clinical Psychology under Rehabilitation
Council of India (R.C.I.). As on date, the field of Counselling
Psychology or Psychotherapy does not come under any unified Law or
Body, though there is a proposal under the consideration of the Central
Government to bring Counselling Psychology & Psychotherapy under a
unified “Indian Psychologists’ Association” in the lines of American
Psychologists’ Association.
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Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are Medical Doctors who have
received specialized training in the treatment of emotional problems,
including both medication & psychological treatments. Though it is
possible for a General Physician to practice Psychiatry without
specialized training, very few nowadays do so.
In India, we commonly call a Medical Doctor a Psychiatrist if he has
done a D.P.M. (Diploma in Psychiatric Medicine) or an M.D. (Doctorate
in Medicine) in Psychiatry after his M.B.B.S. Most Psychiatrists treat
emotional disorders with medications, though some Psychiatrists also
provide Psychotherapy, Behaviour Therapy or Cognitive Therapy.
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Clinical Psychologist
Clinical Psychologists hold either
Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) or Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Clinical
Psychology. Only Clinical Psychologists are empowered by the R.C.I. to
conduct Psychometric tests in Clinical settings & issue
certificates regarding the mental health of an individual. Till date,
there are barely more than 500 certified Clinical Psychologists in
India. Those desirous of becoming Clinical Psychologists should first
complete Post Graduation in Psychology through Regular Stream &
then appear for an all-India entrance exam. There are less than 50
seats per year available in the whole country.
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Psychiatric Social Worker
Social workers specially trained
to deal with the problems of emotionally disturbed people are termed as
Psychiatric Social Workers. In principle, their concern is more with
familial & social environment than with the identified patient
himself. When directly involved in Psychotherapy with the patient as
well as with the family members, it’s known as Casework Practice. In
reality, their interventions are not readily distinguishable from those
of other Psychotherapists. Psychiatric Social Workers hold an M.S.W.
(Master of Social Work) with a specialization in Psychiatric work.
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Unfilled Lacunae
Though there are the above-mentioned recognized Mental Health
Professionals working in our Country, their numbers are so pathetically
low, that the average Indian mostly has to go without any proper care
if faced with any emotional problems. There are many people in our
country providing services in the name of “Counselling” &
“Psychotherapy”, but in effect, many of them do more harm than good
because they are not systematically trained either in Counselling or
Psychotherapy.
If a practitioner is not properly
trained in Psychopathology, he may not be able to form even a
preliminary diagnosis of the problem afflicting the client who comes to
him for help. For example, if a client comes to him with symptoms of
Depression, the practitioner may be unaware of the gravity of his
condition, & may try to “cure” him by giving him a pep talk. If the
client is having suicidal ideations & the practitioner is unable to
elicit the same from him & refer him urgently to a qualified
Psychiatrist for necessary medication, the practitioner is actually
guilty of placing the life of that client in danger, though due to his
ignorance.
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Enter I.B.M.S. !
It is here that the difference of
being trained by a Professional Institute like I.B.M.S. becomes
evident. The course materials of all Counselling, Psychotherapy &
Management courses are prepared by the experts in this field, both
academic & Clinical. I.B.M.S. course materials prepare you to face
the actual life-situations you will come across during your practice,
so that you will be able to deal with the cases fearlessly, being
empowered with the technical know-how as well as real practice you will
undergo during the course of your studies.
Since the Distance Education
approach is being supplemented with Personal Contact Programmes being
lead by the Director & his team from Headquarters, & also with
workshops in all the fields of psychotherapy by trained, practicing
Professionals in this field, our successful participants will be
entering this field fully armed with the latest tools of this science.
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The services of this Institute are fully
accepted, recognized & utilized extensively by the Government &
Private Educational & Industrial Organizations.
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