Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is all set to train counsellors in family therapy.
The Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare , R.K. Srivastava, on Tuesday launched IGNOU’s orientation programme for Coordinators and Academic Counsellors of M.Sc. in Counselling and Family Therapy.
These programmes are being jointly coordinated by IGNOU’s National Centre for Disability Studies (NCDS) and School of Continuing Education (SOCE).
Adarsh Sharma , Former Director , NIPCCD was the Guest of Honour at the function, which was attended by the Directors of NCDS and SOCE.
The newly launched Masters in Counselling and Family Therapy is the only degree programme in the domain in the ODL or conventional mode, within the country.
It aims at developing professionals in this vital field which is gaining greater importance in the present times from both the social and the employment perspective.
Speaking on the launch, Srivastav said, “ 1.8 percent of the population in the country is suffering from mental illness. And according to WHO, 14-18 percent of population suffers from psychosomatic problems. We require 2 crore professionals because any disability affects the whole family . This type of programme will plug the gap in the area.”
Sharma said, ”Family therapy came to India 15 years ago, and till date the numbers of Family therapists is too few to tackle the problems being faced by our people, due to marital discord, alchoholism, Mental illness… NIMHANS offers 2-3 months orientation programmes in this area.”
A feature of Masters programme in Counselling and Family Therapy is its focus on the applied aspect and the thrust on oppurtunities for hands-on experience for the learners. In fact, almost half the credits of this programme are ear-marked for application –oriented learning opportunities.
In the 2nd year of the programme , the learner has the option to be trained in Marital and Family Therapy; Child and Adolescent Counsellingand Therapy; or Substance Abuse Counselling and Therapy.