By Matters India Reporter
Kolkata, Sept 26, 2024: A convention of psychologists has stressed the need for mental health workers caring for themselves while attending to other people’s mental health.
As many as 75 Catholic psychologists from 12 Indian states attended the 25th annual convention of the Conference of Catholic Psychologists of India (CCPI) in Kolkata.
Archbishop Thomas D’Souza of Kolkata presided over the opening of the September 20-22 convention at Seva Kendra that explored the theme, “Fostering Wellness – Innovative Approaches to Therapist Self-Care and Client Engagement.”
Christian Brother Sunil Britto, the conference coordinator who introduced the theme: “Self-Compassion for Our Self-Care,” asked the participants to reflect on how they care for themselves while attending to the needs of their clients.
Priya Puri, chief Clinical Psychologist and founder of “The Healing Space,” addressed the opening session on “The Therapist Dilemma.” She addressed the tension of being fully present for others while balancing one’s own needs.
Shatabhisha Chatterjee, consultant Clinical Psychologist attached to Mental Health Foundation Kolkata who addressed trauma-informed care, introduced the therapists to Internal Family Systems theory, encouraging them to heal from vicarious trauma.
On the second day, Deepa Das Shah, a consultant psychologist and psychologist in Kolkata, through her session on narrative therapy, encouraged the participants to help clients craft identities that empower them.
On the final Somdatta Mukherjee, lead clinical psychologist at Rocket Health, India, spoke on “Mindful Self-Compassion” to address compassion fatigue, and Ayoleena Roy, currently working in the Department of Psychiatry at AIIMS, Kalyani, integrated mindfulness and positive psychology into clinical practice.
Earlier, Carmelite of Mary Immaculate Father Thomas Mathilakathu, CCPI president, welcomed the participants.
It’s a great initiative by the Conference of Catholic Psychologists of India (CCPI) and Seva Kendra. In view of the trauma of two-and-a-half years Covid lockdown, increasing polarization on religious or casteist lines and the fear of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars spiraling in other parts of the world, mental wellness has become a much bigger necessity today than it was a few years ago. The macabre rape and murder (or murder and rape?) of the gold medal aspirant female doctor at her workplace at R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital and the geometrical proliferation of similar incidents in almost all parts of India, has created a fear psychosis and loss of faith, among common citizens, in the government of the day and the law enforcement authorities. Under the circumstances, training of trainers (in this case. psychologists) and the Aam Aadmi in mental wellness has become immensely important.
Considering Seva Kendra Kolkata was the venue, how is it the invited professionals didn’t include Mrs Priyashree Home, noted Clinical Psychologist from the Catholic Community? She did her profession from Singapore, was a senior teacher in Queen of the Missions School Kolkata and now runs her own Sacred Heart School (along with her husband) for economically disadvantaged children, in Laskarhat, Picnic Garden, Kolkata. In fact a few years ago she got an award as a Woman of the Year (among a few other awardees) at the same venue! CCPI should update its database!!