Center for Counselling Chennai

Year long Expressive Arts Therapy Course

2011-09-25T02:00:00.001-07:00

“Year-long Diploma Course in Expressive arts therapy”

Chennai’s East West Center for Counselling and Women's Christian College, Chennai presents a year-long course in Expressive arts therapy, Dec 2011 to Nov 2012.

Training in the various arts therapies is very rare in India especially as none of our colleges/ universities offer this course anywhere in India. In this Course, the training is organised and facilitated by experts in Counselling. This grounding of arts therapies in the practice of Counselling/ psychotherapy is one of this Course’s unique qualities and contributions.

In addition, one of the East-West Center for Counselling’s specialties is modifying Western therapeutic approaches for use in the Indian context; this would also be a major theme of the course.

The Department of Psychology, WCC was started in 1973 as an undergraduate department. It currently offers M.Sc., in Applied Psychology with two branches (i) Counselling & Psychotherapy (ii) Organizational Behaviour. The M.Phil. Program (full time) was introduced in 2001 and Ph.D. Program (full time) in 2005. In 2004-05 the U.G.C. career-oriented courses were started. This comprises of Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Human Relations, offered to students of all departments. Equipping students with professional and personal skills that empower them and enhance their employability is one of the objectives of the department.

In this course, seven individuals trained in the USA, Canada and India would teach the various modalities of Expressive arts therapy. They would be organised by Ms Magdalene Jeyarathnam, director of Chennai’s East West Center for Counselling, who along with faculty of the psychology department WCC, will also teach Counselling Skills and Ethics throughout the year-long Course.

Upon completion of the Course, participants would receive a diploma certifying them to have undergone 200 hours of training in Expressive arts therapy.

About Expressive arts therapy:

Expressive arts therapy is the practice of using storytelling, singing, instrumental music, movement and dance, drama, and visual arts, all together, in an integrated way, to foster human growth, development, and healing.

Expressive arts therapy is predicated on the assumption that people can heal through use of imagination and the various forms of creative expression.

An Expressive arts therapist may specialise in a particular modality, but Expressive arts therapy is an inter-modal therapeutic discipline in which the therapist and client may move freely between drawing, dancing, music, drama, poetry, etc.

In Expressive arts therapy, when the therapist and client see fit to do so, they discuss the client’s feelings and thoughts that have arisen in the client in the process of the client expressing him/herself in the artistic process.

Expressive arts therapy focuses on the client’s experience of expression, and on reflection upon the client’s feelings and thoughts that may have arisen during this experience. The artistic product is of secondary importance.

Expressive arts therapy utilises a gentle non-judgmental approach, enabling the client to become aware of what is happening in his/her unconscious - through artistic expression, and then reflection upon and discussion about this expression.

Expressive arts therapy uses creative processes in therapeutic, rehabilitative, community, or educational settings to foster health, communication, and expression; promote the integration of physical, emotional, cognitive, and social functioning; enhance self-awareness; and facilitate change, including in relation to personal growth and community development.

Expressive arts therapy can be practiced with individuals, couples, families, and groups.

Training Team

Dr Herb Propper - Psychodrama (December)

Herb Propper Ph.D., T.E.P is a Certified Trainer Educator Practitioner of Psychodrama, Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy with 32 years experience. He is a member of the American Board of Examiners and a fellow of the American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama. Since 2003 he has given yearly trainings in Bangladesh, and is a 2009 U.S. Department of State Fulbright Scholar to Bangladesh. His website of work in Bangladesh can be viewed here: www.banglatele.com.

Jennie Kristel - Playback Theatre, Expressive Art therapy (March)

Jennie Kristel M.A., CET is a Certified Expressive Arts therapist and Reiki Teacher/practitioner in private practice. In her 20 +year career, Jen has used the arts (including visual, movement, psychodrama, and Playback Theatre) in both clinical and non-clinical settings. Jen is an adjunct professor at Burlington College, in Burlington Vermont and since 2003 also teaches Playback Theatre and the use of Expressive therapies internationally, and has been working in conjunction with the Centre for Counseling since 2009. She is on the Board of Directors of the Centre for Playback Theatre. Her website is www.journeyworksvt.com and her blog is jenniekristel.wordpress.com

Tia Plieman - Art Therapy (April)

Tia Plieman has a BS degree in Developmental Psychology and Fine art and an MA in Creative Arts Therapy. Her work experiences range from Youth at Risk and Juvenile Offenders, to Mental Health, Adults with Autism and a wide range of Developmental Disabilities,mainstream and Special Education and Community Art, she has worked with clients of ages ranging from 3 through 93 years of age.

Dr Eric Miller - Storytelling (July)

Dr Eric Miller directs the World Storytelling Institute ( www.storytellinginstitute.org ) here in Chennai. He leads various types of Storytelling Workshops. Last year he completed his PhD in Folklore from the University of Pennsylvania. He has been associated with the Center for Counselling since 2006.

Monique Mcgrath - Music Therapy (December)

Monique Mcgrath, is a registered Music Therapist. She is currently working towards a PhD in Ethnomusicology at the university of Toronto. Monique has planned a fantastic 5 day module of Music Therapy, which would include songwriting and singing.

Magdalene Jeyarathnam - Counselling Skills and Ethics (December, July)

Magdalene Jeyarathnam, is a practicing counsellor and counselling trainer. She has worked as a counsellor, counselling supervisor and counselling trainer for 17 years. She has developed counselling training modules, protocols and guidelines for counsellors in India and other countries especially in South east Asia. She works as a consultant to several UNICEF, WHO, World Vision projects. She is a member of the International Association for Group Psychotherapy and Group Processes.

Dr. Veena Easvaradoss, Ph.D.

Dr. Veena Easvaradoss, Associate Professor of Psychology, Women’s Christian College, Chennai, has over 20 years of professional experience in clinical and counselling psychology. She has obtained her doctoral degree from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore. Her clinical practice includes being Clinical Psychologist on referral for several schools, NGOs and corporates. She has facilitated at a number of workshops on counselor training including Grief Counselling, Counselling for teachers, Coping with Stress, Counselling Skills, Behaviour modification, Parenting, Suicide Prevention, Learning problems, Tsunami volunteers' counselling training among others.

Preetha Ramasubramanian – Dance Movement Psychotherapy

Preetha Ramasubramanian is a Registered Dance Movement Psychotherapist trained in the UK. She was awarded a distinction from Goldsmiths College, University of London for her work with the forensic population. She has worked with children having severe behaviour problems, trauma, autism, cerebral palsy, abuse, etc… both in mainstream schools and in special school. She has also worked with drug users, sex offenders, and adults with criminal background having severe mental health issues. At present Preetha works with both children and adults in private practice.

Who should attend this training?

This is an intensive programme for those in the helping profession - (open to men and women) Therapists, HR (psychology), Social Workers, Counsellors, Psychologists, NGO workers and those who are working with children will benefit from this course.

How is this training delivered?

The training is divided into 3 modules each of which will be delivered in Chennai, and lasting 10 days each module. At the completion of each module participants will have to complete projects and assignments of 15 hours. Each participant apart from the class hours will complete 200 hours of project work/ assignments.

Dec - 12 to 21 , 2011(10 days)

Psychodrama - Dr Herb Propper(USA)

Music therapy - Monique Mcgrath (Cannada)

Ethics, Boundaries, Confidentiality, Therapy in the Indian context - Magdalene Jeyarathnam (India)

March 30 to April 8, 2012(10 days)

Submission of assignments(10 hours of work) and sharing of experiences

Playback theatre - Jennie Kristel (USA)

Expressive arts therapy - Tia Plieman (USA)

July 16 to 25, 2012 dates (10 days)

Submission of assignments (10 hours of work) and sharing of experiences
Dance Therapy - Preetha Raghuraman (India)

Storytelling - Dr Eric Miller(USA/ India)

Counselling skills, boundaries, ethics - Magdalene Jeyarathnam/ Dr Veena

Submission of assignments (10 hours of work) 15, September 2012

Final Project - 30 hours on 30 November 2012

The diploma will be issued only on completion of:

Attendence
Participation in class(trainer's evaluation)
Assignments
Final Project
Written Exam (one)

by December 2012.

Training Venue - Women's Christian College, Nungambakkam, Chennai

Course Fee - Rs 75,000/=

For further details:

Application forms will be available after Nov 10th with Dr Veena Esvaradoss, Psychology department, WCC and at the East West Center for Counselling's office.

Center for Counselling - (044) -42080810/ +91 9884100135
WCC - (044) - 28275926/ 28231676/ - ext 323(psychology department)
email-info@centerforcounselling.org

Art therapy course in Women's Christian College

2011-09-03T21:30:00.001-07:00

This course is a special course for students of psychology from Women's Christian College. Students from other colleges studying counselling, social work or psychology(women students only) if interested in the course need to call 9884100135 for a brief interview.

About the course:

Certificate: This is a certificate course for 50 hours. The students will get a certificate on completion of the course which is - making the case presentation which demonstrates their understanding on the subject. The certificate will be a joint certificate from East West Center for Counselling and Training, Chennai and Arts Interventions, Los Angels, USA and Women's Christian College.

Course Content:

Art Explorations This provides opportunity for the exploration of art materials in support of the development of and methods to use art in psychotherapy. This course will also cover self help art therapy techniques that can be used for clients as well as therapist for relieving stress and anxiety.

Fundamentals Marriage and Family Therapy This provides an introduction to systems theory as a foundation to therapeutic intervention. The groundwork provides the conceptual view for the exploration of various theoretical perspectives. A variety of family structures including traditional and non-traditional forms are studied as well as their clinical implications for the therapist.

Mental Health Settings Studies Using Art Therapy Techniques This will cover intake assessments and diagnosis according to the DSM-IV in addition to methods of using art therapy techniques in schools, hospitals, mental health, substance abuse facilities and private practice. It will also cover distance art therapy techniques that can be used by clients via live webcast.

Psychological Testing and Statistics Review of formal and informal psychological tests used for assessment, including issues of reliability, validity and item content. Projective drawings and structured clinical interviews are covered. Art assessments such as the H-T-P (House Tree Person) and Silvers Drawing assessments will be included in this course.

5 hours Art Explorations

10 hours Family Therapy

5 hours Psychological Testing

5 hours Mental Health Settings

10 hours Trauma

5 hours Art Explorations

5 hours Mental Health issues due to physical illness/ injury

5 hours Class project

Students are expected to attend all the classes.

The class will be held in WCC and will be twice or sometimes thrice a week between 1.30 to 4.30 PM.

For further details contact: 9884100135/ 044 - 42080810

Certificate courses July 2011 to November 2012

2011-06-09T13:01:00.000-07:00

Art therapy Certificate courses

For the first time in India, East West Center for Counselling, Chennai is introducing Art Therapy Certificate Courses

Profile of the Trainer Melba Thorn USA

Melba Thorn M.A. MFTI, Artist BFA, Rietveltd Academy, Amsterdam. M.A. Marital and Family Therapy specializing in “Clinical Art Therapy” at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. She has used Art therapy in a variety of settings such as Substance Abuse, Cancer survivors support groups, Victims of crime, PTSD treatment, Vocational Burnout, Chronically Mentally Ill clinics as well as Individual and Family Therapy.

Beginning this July, 2011 (on weekends, month long courses) we bring you art therapy tools and techniques in working through

1. Trauma,

2. Grief and loss,

3. Substance abuse,

4. Managing vocational burn out,

5. Couple and marriage therapy,

6. Depression and anxiety

7. Behavior modification training for school counsellors/ parents

8. Personal development

A one year Diploma course in Art therapy from September 2011 to Aug 2012

Only limited seats are available per course.

For more information contact: 9884100135/ 42080810

Email- info@centerforcounselling.org

www.centerforcounselling.blogspot.com

1. Art therapy for people experiencing trauma weekends or week days - You choose

a) Date: 4 Weekends (beginning 16 July to 7 Aug) and
b) Dates:

3,4 (Wed, Thurs) - Using various art techniques

10,11(Wed, Thurs) - Introduction to art therapy

17,18 (Wed, Thurs) - Art therapy in Trauma

24,25 (Wed, Thurs) - Art therapy in Trauma

31 Aug, 1 Sept (Wed, Thurs) - (Art therapy in Trauma )

Fees: Rs 15000/=

This one month long course will educate participants to apply practical strategies to your work with children and adults who have experienced a wide variety of traumatic events. This course is open to mental health and healthcare professionals and students; no previous experience with art therapy is required

The course consists of a series of presentations, interactive discussions and table group activities designed to support participants learning of key concepts, knowledge and skills required to implement trauma art therapy treatment.

Models of trauma art therapy are outlined as well as using art in the trauma narrative process .

Students will report to class 10 days in all and will be assigned a project which needs to be completed with one client. Students will complete 60 hours classwork and 20 hours of practical work including preparation and writing up the project, in all the students will complete 80 hours.

· The purpose of the trauma art therapy training is to prepare counsellors/ therapists to provide for and respond to

The psychological needs of people who have experienced trauma.
Support opportunities for storytelling thorough art created.
Encourage and provide creative choices for open, self expression.
Create a safe, inviting, and structured environment for clients to express through art free of judgment.
Learn to help clients validate their experience, educate normalize trauma reactions, promoting emotional expression, coping skills and stress management.

Learning Outcome: Participants will be able to

Identify the continuum of trauma events and experiences
Utilize art in the trauma narrative process
Describe the unique qualities of art in the treatment of trauma
Identify the application of trauma art therapy in various setting·

http://anithawrites.blogspot.com/2011/07/art-therapy-workshop-day-1.html

2. Clinical Art therapy course

Date: September 2011 to August 2012 - One year Programme
Fees: Rs 50,000/=

This course will explore practical strategies to engage with families, couples, with children and adults in therapeutic environment. We will explore issues like anger management, substance abuse, adjustment disorder, effective communication,grief and loss, stress management and vocational burnout. This will be a hands on training where students will have to work in therapeutic settings and submit art work completed with clients and families to qualify for the certificate. This course is open to mental health and healthcare professionals and students. No previous experience with art is required.

click on the image to see an enlarged version.

4. Expressive Arts therapy course

Date: December 2011 to November 2012 - One year Programme
Fees: Rs 60,000/=

This course content will give exposure to music therapy, psychodrama, play back theatre, movement therapy, storytelling, counselling/ psychology component compulsory, expressive art therapy. Participants will learn how to use art, clay, play, theatre, acting, movement, in therapeutic settings. Participants will have hands on training and will have to complete project work and assignments to qualify for the certificate. There will be 7 trainers for this course - Dr Herb Propper, Jennie Kristel, Monique McGrath, Tia Pleiman, Melba Thorn, Dr Eric Miller and Magdalene Jeyarathnam

The class itself is the dates are fixed only for december because the tickets is booked by the trainers.

Dec - 12 to 21 , 2011(10 days)

Psychodrama - Dr Herb Propper(USA)
Music therapy - Monique Mcgrath (Canada)
Ethics, Boundaries, Confidentiality Indian context - Magdalene Jeyarathnam(India)

March 2012 dates not fixed yet (10 days)

Submission of assignments and sharing of experiences
Playback theatre - Jennie Kristel (USA)
Art therapy - Melba Thorn (USA)

July 2012 dates not fixed yet (10 days)

Submission of assignments and sharing of experiences
Creative art therapies - Tia Plieman(USA)
Storytelling - Dr Eric Miller(India)

Final submission of assignments in November and certificates will be issued only on completion of the projects in December 2012. We are preparing you for actually doing these therapies.

Total class hours will be 180 hours

Project (3) - 70 hours

Total - 250 hours

The training methodology is experiential learning using various art techniques such as: Art work. Clay, Collages, Group Discussion, Games and Exercises, Case studies, Role -Play Presentation, extensive mentoring from practioners and Testimonies.

Venue: Nungambakkam, Chennai,

Time: 10 AM to 4 PM
No of participants limited for all courses

For further details:

Contact - 9884100135/ 9884700164/ 42080810

email - info@centerforcounselling.org/

Counselling skills certificate course

2011-06-07T03:57:00.000-07:00

Counselling skills Certificate course

Venue: Nungambakkam, 20 June to 30 June 2011(25th sat - 1 PM to 4 PM & 26th sun holiday)

Time: 10 AM to 4 PM
Fees: Rs 7000/=

Center for Counselling offers this certificate course for anyone who wishes to pursue counselling as a career, NGO workers, students, this can be a refresher course for anyone who has already studied counselling.

Objectives of the Course:

1)To acquire counselling skills
2)To bridge the gap between counselling theory and practice
3)To help establish and support those who aspire to become counsellors
4)To promote social,emotional and moral wellbeing

Details of the Course:

1)The course specifically targets students of social work / psychology and particularly those who are considering counselling as a career.

2)The course will be helpful for practicing counsellors to refresh their skills

Training Methodology:

The training methodology is participatory learning using techniques such as

1)Group Discussion
2)Games and Exercises
3)Case studies
4)Role -Play Presentation
5)Testimonies

For further details:

9884700164/ 4208010

Summer Camp for teenagers (12 to 15 years)

2011-04-03T23:22:00.000-07:00

Summer Camp for teenagers - Life skills training

The teenage years of ones life is very challenging. Every teenager is trying to assert his/her right as an adult; they are trying to break free from all reminders of being a child. As young adults they have lots of questions which are not just about academics. Life skill education can help a teenager manage the school, home and social environment more efficiently.

Center for Counselling, Chennai specializes in child counselling and child related developmental activities. Based on our experience of working with teenagers and young adults w have created and moulded this programme / activities to promote healthy emotional and psychological development of children and teenagers. Center for Counselling is organising a unique summer camp for teenagers(12 to 15 year olds) to enrich their personality.

Summer camps provide a platform for teenagers to learn new things in fun ways. This Summer camps helps teenagers develop their social skills, build confidence, self-respect and leadership skills. It is a great opportunity to make new friends, learn new things and go on a journey towards self-discovery.

Goal Setting, Critical thinking, Problem solving, Assertiveness, Negotiation skills, Interpersonal skills and relationship skills, Advocacy skills, coping with Stress, Gender and Attraction.

Loads of fun, learning and excitement awaits your teenager at our camp this summer.

For more details contact - 044-42080810/ 9884700135

Venue: Nungambakkam, Chennai

Age: 12 to 15 year olds

Date : 2^nd May-13^th May 2011[Weekend Holiday]

Time : 10:00am -12:30pm
Cost : Rs 3,500/ child, Two children from the same family pay Rs 3000/ child,
Five children from the same school Rs 2500/ child

Counselling helplines - 9884700106(English), 9884700104(Tamil)

Art therapy techniques used in couples and family counselling

2011-02-26T07:09:00.000-08:00

March 12th and 13th, 2011

Art Therapy Techniques used in Family and Couples Counseling

A clinical 2 day workshop to explore creative ways to engage families and couples in therapeutic environment. Art activities for families to explore issues such as: boundaries, anger management, substance abuse, adjustment disorder, non violent communication, grief and loss, codependence, stress management and vocational burnout.

What you will learn
Self help techniques to give to clients outside of treatment
Facilitate non threatening self expression and communication within the family
Inspire self-discovery or simple relaxation
Provide an opportunity for couples and families to express difficult emotions without the use of words
Guide in releasing emotional conflicts locked in the subconscious
Dates ; 12 and 13 March, 2011 (Registration open)
Time : 10 AM to 4 PM
Venue : Nungambakkam, Chennai

For: Counsellors/ Psychologists/ therapists/ students studying psychology/counselling
Cost : Rs 3000 (inclusive business lunch)
For more details contact - 42080810/ 9884700135

Facilitated by Melba Thorn M.A. Clinical Art Therapist

About Melba Thorn

Melba Thorn M.A. MFTI, Artist BFA, Rietveltd Academy, Amsterdam. M.A. Marital and Family Therapy specializing in “Clinical Art Therapy” at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. She has used Art therapy in a variety of settings such as Substance Abuse, Cancer survivors support groups, Victims of crime, PTSD treatment, Vocational Burnout, Chronically Mentally Ill clinics as well as Individual and Family Therapy. Melba is an Artist that uses very alternative mediums for relaxation and healing. She is involved in many community organizations and enjoys exposing people of all ages to enjoy the art making process.

Look up this link: Report 20 March 2011

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-downtown/article1554886.ece

We had a good response to the workshop. We had 13 participants of which 11 were counsellors and one special educator, 2 were students - one studying Msc counselling and the other who wishes to pursue a counselling masters next year.
The overall feedback about the training was good. The participants were private practitioners, counsellors working in substance abuse/ domestic violence programmes.

Group Counselling Sessions using Art from 13th to 15th December 2010

2011-02-03T00:03:00.000-08:00

Venue: Kellys Girls Home

We conducted three consecutive days of group counselling sessions using Art for the children of kellys girls home . It was organized by World vision.Various art techniques were used as therapeutic tools.The tools applied are given below along with the objectives and a brief description of the activity.

Date- 13/12/2010
Objective- The goal was to create awareness of what they feel at the moment.The children were asked to stick together their own choices of magazine cut outs that best described their feelings.
Tool- Collage

Date-14/12/2010
Objectives
1) The goal was to help the children define their social atom
2)The theme of a tree was used to bring clarity into their future aims and objectives and what was needed to achieve it.
Tools
1)Clay
2)Collage

Date- 15/12/2010
Objective- The main objective for the day was to help group members see that they could draw support from one another.
Tools
1) The theme of a garden was used to achieve the above objective
2) An interconnected map of the group was created, which was used to make them feel deeply connected to one another using drawing and collage.

The three day session using Art therapy was successful in making each child feel more connected with oneself and the others around.

Counselling skills Certificate course - Stella Maris College

2011-02-02T23:57:00.000-08:00

Venue: Stella Maris, 6th December 2010
Center for Counselling and Stella Maris College for Women jointly inaugurated the "Counselling Skills Certificate Course" for social work students.

Sr Principal, Mrs Arundhati Roy-counsellor, Sister Coleen North-Vice Principal, Mrs Sandra-Head of Social work Department, Sheela- Professor of Social work Department, Dr Eric Miller from Center for Counselling addressed the students, who had gathered to be a part of the inauguration function.

Objectives of the Course:
1)To acquire counselling skills
2)To bridge the gap between counselling theory and practice
3)To help establish and support those social work students who aspire to become counsellors
4)To promote social,emotional and moral wellbeing

Details of the Course:
1)The course specifically targets students of Social work and particularly students who are considering counselling as a career.
2)The course is five hours a week for 12 weeks and for a total of 60 hours(After College hours)

Training Methodology:
The training methodology is participatory learning using techniques such as
1)Group Discussion
2)Games and Exercises
3)Case studies
4)Role -Play Presentation
5)Testimonies

Group Counselling session using Art -November 12th

2011-02-02T23:52:00.000-08:00

Venue: Kellys Girls Home

Center for Counselling conducted a half day Counselling session, for the young women of reception unit in Kellys Girls Home using Art therapy. It was organized and funded by World Vision.

Parents workshops at Alpha School

2011-01-15T10:18:00.000-08:00

Venue: Alpha Matriculation Hr Sec School, November 10th, 2010

Center for Counselling organized an interactive session with the parents of 10^th and 12^th students of Alpha Matriculation Hr Sec School.

The issues that were discussed surrounded the problems and anxieties commonly faced by parents of 10th and 12th children.

Objectives
1)Both, parents and children face Exam fear due to the pressure of Expectations.This is a common problem for children who are struggling hard to perform well.Brilliant children who are anxious to keep up the expectations also face intense Exam Fear.This can have a negative impact on their performance. In order to tackle Exam fever, breathing techniques to be practiced before writing the exam were taught; this would help the child calm down and focus.

2)The program stressed the importance of physical and Emotional health of children and its crucial role in their academic performance.

3)Most of the parents stop the children from participating in any extra curricular activity, they also stop the child from continuing his/her hobby. The session stressed the negative impact of withholding the child from doing such activities. It stressed the positive impacts of hobbies and extra curricular activities that would help the child perform better in all aspects of life.

5)Motivation is a very important factor in any performance therefore we discussed the different ways to increase a child s motivation.

Parents of 10th and 12 students

Parents Workshop for Parents of Pre schoolers on 3rd December 2010

Venue: Alpha School

An Interactive session with the parents of Preschoolers(3 to 4 ear olds) of Alpha Matriculation School was conducted by us. Some of the important issues discussed were

Nutrition

The essential nutrition required for the particular age group [3-4] was discussed

Developmental Milestone

Physical,Cognitive and Emotional development of the children belonging to this age group were discussed.

Effective ways of parenting pre-schoolers was also one of the main objectives of the session.

Counselling Workshop for TANSACS ART Counsellors

2011-01-15T10:13:00.000-08:00

Follow up Counseling Toolkit Training workshop for TANSACS-ART counsellors from Oct 25th- 29th
Objectives-

1)To train the counsellors for follow up counselling in terms of improving the

lives of PLHA and stopping the spread of HIV via prevention with positive

2)To demonstrate the appropriate ways to use the follow up counselling toolkit with HIV clients.

Tools Applied:
Lectures
Case studies
Role plays
Large and small group discussion
Worksheets
Individual work and discussions
Brainstorming sessions
Trigger Videos & activities
Quiz

ART Counsellors training

Counsellors doing various activities

Rotary Club - Oct 21,2010

2011-01-15T10:09:00.000-08:00

Meeting with Rotary Club Members

Psychodrama workshops

2011-01-15T08:50:00.000-08:00

Psychodrama Workshops with Dr Herb Propper

10 & 17 Jan, 2011 - Workshop on Psychodrama for the students doing the Counselling Certificate Course of the Stella Maris College

13 to 16 Jan, 2011 - Personal growth/work group for women at ICSA, Egmore

17 & 18 Jan, 2011 - Personal growth using psychodrama, on invitation only

Expressive arts therapy workshop 27 Sept to 20 Oct, 2010

2010-10-01T07:55:00.000-07:00

Center for Counselling is organising a series of workshops on Expressive Arts therapy. We are honored to host Jennie Kristel (to read more about Jennie look up http://centerforcounselling.blogspot.com/2009/07/art-therapy-workshop-jen-kristel.html)

Workshop One: Sept 27th until Oct 1st 2010. Below are some pictures of the work we did.

We did movement, music, art, masks, mandalas, clay, poetry writing, collage, stick wrapping and dream circle.

We did sociometry, locograms, spectograms and barometers to build group trust and safety.

It was a riot of colors and creativity while processing several emotions and feelings. Look at some of the photos taken on the last day of the workshop.

Workshop 2: Oct 4 to Oct 8, 2010

All participants were from World Vision. It was easy to put together this training as some of the participants had already attended the training I conducted last year on Child centered counselling, they came back because they had given a good feedback to World Vision. We have a history of conducting trainings with World vision either for their staff or for the children they work with directly. I am particularly thrilled that participants had come from Kolkotta, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to attend this training. A big thanks to a special person in World Vision who made this possible - Dr Anita Victor who had the faith in me, that I will recommend only the best for her and her team. We did drawing, movement, clay, collage, singing, painting, games, sculpting, puppets and creative writing.

Participants got a certificate of 25 hours of training at the end of the 5 days.

Workshop 3: Meeting the past year students.....

A small group of us met to connect with Jennie this year. Rupa, Bhuvana, Raji and I got together for some intensive work over the weekend. We did some incredible work together. Dolls, clay, murals, movement, sound and painting.

Workshop 4: Oct 11 to 13, 2010

Women's christian College - Psychology department

A special thanks to Ms Veena professor in the Psychology department and dean of the student hostel. Another ally to Center for Counselling. She never says "no" to any of my recommendations and suggestions. A big thank you to Veena - my friend and colleague.

Workshop 5: Oct 14 - 15, 2010

Stella Maris College - Social Work Department

My own department! My college! The special connections I have has made this possible. My teachers who are so dear to me, who believe and trust me, I am ever so grateful to my department for helping my vision materialise in college.

Sr Colleen North, Mrs Sandra Joseph, Ms Benita, Mrs Sheila and the other wonderful staff for making this possible. There were 34 students and one professor who participated.

Workshop 6: 20 Oct, 2010

Faculty of Social Work Department, Stella Maris College

We had a very intense workshop as a small group. We did some very interesting and thought provoking activities. All the workshops and trainings are completed and we had another successful collaboration with Jennie Kristel, Journey Works, Vermont, USA.

Expressive arts therapy course 27 Sept to 1 Oct 2010

2010-09-12T06:38:00.000-07:00

A brief background to Expressive Art Therapy(including Art Therapy)

Art therapy has evolved since the beginning of humankind. In the 1800’s Hans Prinzhorn observed that the art of those in mental institutions seemed to help and support those doing the art by creating a place of release. It developed more strongly after World War II as Margaret Naumburg, worked with children who were dealing with trauma of losing their families and displacement from their homes. It is a gentle non judgmental approach, allowing the person to experience through art materials what is happening for them in their unconscious. “Making the unconscious, conscious”.

Through visual art, action methods such as sociometry, psychodrama, drama therapy and theatre games that promote wellness and community, clients are supported in looking at and understanding deep and often complex issues. The creative arts; drama, visual art, writing (prose and poetry) dance, storytelling and music involve creative expression as a means for healing the mind, body and spirit. The therapist acts as a guide in a co-creative process as the participant develops a relationship with her/himself through the artistic medium. In one manner, the participant removes their “conscious” ego selves in order to be able to understand the unconscious world, of feelings, spirit, and dreams. Feelings of all nature can be explored in a safe environment. Using the arts allows a person to unconsciously uncover and understand blocks through symbolic language, that keep one from going forward with their lives and dreams for the future. As one paints, moves, writes or acts from this place, one creates a dialogue with the self. One can draw or paint, dance or write from many different view points. One can go deeply into one aspect of an issue a little piece at a time in order to understand it more fully. By expressing oneself through the creative arts, one is utilizing both physical and emotional bodies to explore issues, through color, kinesthetic, shape, texture, and form. One is not limited to one art form to understanding oneself through the creative arts. The diverse arts complement each other.

The goals of this training is for participants to explore and sample the use of art therapy, in the context of supporting people in times of crisis as well as on going support.

Theory and practice of group building through Sociometry exercises
The theory and uses of Art as a therapeutic tool
Neurobiological effects of trauma (or other experiences)
Neurological effects of the use of art to treat differing psychological issues
To practice different aspects of Art Therapy daily
To learn about different ways to use art and therapy, in differing populations (Family, Couples, Psychiatric illnesses, Children, physically challenged, Autistic, Using for empowerment, groups and issues concerning community social action.)
To look at the influences of Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Carl Rogers and others on the world of Art Therapy
Ethics of Art therapy from a western perspective- Discussion of ethics from an Indian perspective.
Leading an art therapy session, Warm up to Cool down how to do, and decide which exercise?

Although this is primarily an experiential training, there will be time for discussion, processing and sharing.

We are doing a 5 day training the 27th Sept to 1st Oct, 2010.

for registration please contact us at 9884100135

More about Jennie Kristel please look at the following link:

http://centerforcounselling.blogspot.com/2009/07/art-therapy-workshop-jen-kristel.html

APAC training

2010-08-19T20:41:00.000-07:00

Follow up Counseling Toolkit Training workshop for APAC ART counsellors:

We are doing counselling training for the first batch of 15 counsellors from different APAC funded HIV projects in Tamil Nadu. The training is on Follow Up counselling toolkit. This training is for 6 days and the counsellors are learning different tools they could use while working with clients.The toolkit consists of 6 handbooks, 6 flipcharts and a video CD.

Batch Details

Batch 1 Batch 2

Date : 16/08/2010 to 20/08/2010 Date : 30/8/2010 to4/9/2010

Venue : Chennai Venue : Tiruchi

Partcipants: 15 Participants: 17

Learning to use the video

Using this video in explaining a concept

Lots of doubts to be clarified

Lecture sessions

Group work needs facilitation

Using the trigger video

We drummed to energise and we felt great

Child centered approaches - workshop

2010-06-15T09:45:00.000-07:00

Child centered approaches - workshop

For who?

For counsellors, teachers or anyone working with children closely.

About the training:

The workshop will focus on Story telling, Art, Drama, Play and on Developmental Milestones of Children from the age group of 5 to 15 years. The main focus of learning these approaches is to intergrate them while working with the child. Story telling focused on helping children tell their own stories and also taught the different methods of story telling to children. Almost all the sessions are activity based which enables the participants to involve vigorously. The art session consisted of many exercises and activities using colours pencils, water paints and charcoal pencil, and crayons which give the participants the opportunity to express powerful emotions. More emphasis is laid on how a child can often say more in pictures rather than to articulate through words and focused on how through art a child is able to represent a thought or feeling through an image and in certain cases a fear or trauma could be resolved.

In certain instances a child who is diagnosed to have HIV and is on ART medication , could be motivated to print the painted thumbs in chart paper forming a aquarium or draw stars in sky etc as soon as they take the medicines every day and this eventually would help in the intake of the medicines every day and improves the adherence level. The drama exercises are conducted by Ms. Chandra. We do numerous theatre exercises, activities and role plays and the level of energy gets very high during these sessions. Developmental milestones of the children were also covered during the sessions. Case studies with regard to problems of the children were discussed in group and possible interventions using different approaches were established during the group sessions. All the participants usually enjoy getting their hands dirty by painting, making clay models, making finger puppets, doing theatre exercises, playing a wide variety of games etc.,

Everyone gets in touch with and discovers the child within. We take around 15 participants for this training. As all the participants work with children, during the training many issues which they face come up. We discuss these issues and try to find child centered ways of intervention like stories, drawing, drama etc.

The feedback we received from this training has always been rated a great training.

Overall a great training. We enjoy doing this as much as all our participants enjoy participating.

Arts based therapy Sessions - Announcement

2010-05-17T04:50:00.000-07:00

Center for Counselling, Chennai

044-42080810

Arts Based group therapy sessions

Background

About the group sessions

Background:

The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community(LGBT/ GLBT) constitutes around 5 % of the general population according to certain studies. Modern or post colonial India is still awakening to the fact that the LGBT community very much exists and are struggling to assert their basic and fundamental human rights.

The Delhi High court reading down of Section 377, on July 2^nd 2009 clearly states that consenting adults(over 18 years old) of the same gender should not be criminalised for loving or having a relationship.

Even then we see people living alternate sexual lives being treated with despise or ridiculed. My work shows that majority of my clients suffer from low to really low self esteem, varying degrees of guilt, some level of clinical depression and an over riding feeling of anxiety and panic. Having to lead a double life by acting something for the sake of their families and the community and being a different person in a gay friendly environment takes a toll on them emotionally and this in turn affects several aspects of their life.

One huge sacrifice for a typical gay/ bisexual person to satisfy their family very often is to get married and this in turn leads to more guilt and suffering not only to themselves but also to the other person and their family. I have found the need to work with parents and support persons of the LGBT community in order to help them come to accept the sexuality of their children or friends.

Studies show that LGBT population are more likely to be treated for anxiety, panic disorder, depression, poor self esteem, eating disorders or to develop alcohol/ drug dependency when compared to the general population (Cochran, Mays, Alegria, Ortega, and Takeuchi, 2007).

Violence, discrimination is a part of every day life for most of the LGBT community. Gay and lesbian adolescents report attempted suicide at least twice the rate of their heterosexual adolescents (Russell & Joyner, 2001). The average high school student may hear anti gay remarks at school as many as 25 times a day (Callahan, 2001)

Group therapy sessions:

Center for Counselling announces an opportunity for members of the LGBT community to come for arts based group sessions. Each session will be for 90 minutes.

The theme for the sessions are

Improving perception of oneself(improving self esteem, confidence)

Caring for self

Improving self expression

We will complete 20 sessions. Beginning May 17^th 2010 until July 31^st 2010.

We will use creative writing, creative movement, story circle, drum circle, drawing, painting, collages etc. all from a therapeutic perspective.

The sessions are free. We are going to take 8 to a maximum of 10 participants, so please get in touch if you wish to take part or recommend friends who might benefit.

For time and Venue information

please contact us at:

9884700104/ 9884100135

Arts based therapy Sessions at Sahodoran

2010-04-23T02:31:00.001-07:00

From March 15 to the 26th, Center for Counselling conducted a series of arts based therapy sessions for a group of employees of Sahodoran, an organization working for gay men in Chennai.

We completed 10 therapy sessions - daily Monday through Friday with a group consisting of gay men and one transgendered woman. The group sessions featured group activities and projects, all designed to help participants explore their inner selves and how they interact with the people around them. The group sessions proved to be very popular and the participants want us to continue sessions atleast once a month.

We used a lot of games, exercises, movement, writing, drawing, painting and collage making.

Peer Counselling training

2010-03-31T03:43:00.000-07:00

Peer Counselling training was organised by Shakthi Center with funding from LLH Norway, started on 27th Dec and we finished 14 Feb 2010. We completed 6 weekends of counselling training. The training was attended by 10 participants who are going to be volunteers on the telephone helpline that will be set up by Shakthi Resource Center. This training was for the LGBT population in and around Chennai.

At the end of this training we are expected to have a counselling training manual and a group of trained peer counsellors to work with people with issues from the LGBT community.

Certificate Course on Counselling

2010-03-29T04:21:00.000-07:00

Center for Counselling and Training, Chennai

announces a 100 hour certificate course on counselling.

This counselling training is focused on the practical aspects of counselling.

The classes are 12 consecutive weekends.(Saturdays & Sundays 2 to 6 PM)

The course begins on 12 June until 29 Aug 2010.

The dates of training are:

June - 12, 13, 19, 20,26,27

July - 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31

Aug - 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21,22,28,29

Who will benefit?

Those who have a certificate or degree in counselling but need help in actually working with the client.

Anyone who is interested in counselling as a profession and is thinking about doing a degree/ diploma in counselling

Who will get the certificate?

Attendance of a minimum of 90 hours is required for the certificate,

Completing all the assignments and

Passing all the assessment criteria

How much? And what does this cover?

The course fee is RS 6000/ participant.

This includes a certificate on passing assessment criteria,

tea all days of training, and training material.

For Registration and more details

Contact - Jonathan +91- 9884700106

centerforcounselling@gmail.com

Report on all the LGBT related work Jan to Dec 2009

2010-01-11T11:28:00.000-08:00

A list of activities in relation to the LGBT community, 2009

Date & Month Events

January 5th 2009- Meeting organised by Sangama and hosted by Center for Counselling to discuss setting up a Human Rights commission for S E Asia

Jan 2009- Series of meetings with Shakti center and intensive discussions on the Harry Benjamin Standards of Care for SRS at CFC office

January 31st to April - 8 Tamil group sessions and 8 English group sessions were completed

Feb 2nd - Discussions on Peer counselling training with Mr. Aniruddh Sakthi center

Feb 23rd- Discussions on collaboration with Sakthi center

April 6th - Meeting organised by Sangama and hosted by Center for Counselling to discuss issues of violence among transgenders. This was conducted due to the highly published articles of alleged forced sex change operations by TGs to get young boys into prostitution. Plenty of heated debates and a decision to sensitise the general community on issues relating to TGs as well as within the TG community to reduce the hierarchy within the zamath.

April to May- Series of meetings, interviews to discuss pride events in June was mostly held at our office

June 18th- Meeting at the US consulate as a mark of respect to all those working on the LGBT issues. The evening was hosted by the UN Consul General at his home. All key people working on LGBT issues in Chennai were present.

June 20th- Participated in the panel discussion has happened at Spaces regarding LGBT issues.

June 21st THE HINDU had published an interview of Ms. Magdalene Jeyarathnam, founder/Director of Center for counselling. Chennai suddenly woke up to so much of media coverage on LGBT issues. There was an interview on page 2 and a photo of the panel discussion on page 3
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=469300&id=1460622733#/photo.php?pid=532090&id=1460622733&fbid=1191804802861

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=469300&id=1460622733#/photo.php?pid=532062&id=1460622733&fbid=1191779682233

June 22nd- The feature film “Milk” has been screened followed by a reception at Amethyst.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=848234&id=1460622733

June 26th- The first support group session was conducted for the parents of LGBT community at our office. Very moving for everyone. Active participation by the family and LGBT folks

June 28th Participation in the PRIDE MARCH event

June 29th Got quoted twice on front page of New Indian Express another major newspaper which gave a lot of attention to the LGBT issues. This picture is on facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=469300&id=1460622733

July Pride party at our office

August 16th Thinakaran had a super article on respecting transgendered folks written well by Vaidehi
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=469300&id=1460622733#/photo.php?pid=531861&id=1460622733&fbid=1191743081318

August 28th- Meeting at Women’s development center, Gurukul – The mainstream Lutheran church had gathered people to sensitise their pastors and bring out a statement regarding including the LGBT folks in mainstream church. I got Teja and Gabriel to share in that event and their sharing made a huge impact in the statement that they came up with.

August 29th- The Support group session was conducted for the parents of LGBT community

September 21st- The Psychodrama group session was conduted for the LGBT community by Dr. Herb Propper.

November 12th and 13th - A consultation on Sexuality and Faith at Asha Nivas. Ms. Magdalene Jeyarathnam, founder/Director of Center for counselling has done a paper presentation on the issues of LGBT, she also co-moderated a Panel Discussion with gay men and one transgendered woman.

November 14th- NDTV HINDU has interviewed Ms. Magdalene Jeyarathnam, founder/Director of Center for counselling regarding LGBT issues

Dec 5th and 6th - National Council of Churches had organised a 2 day Theological Round Table conference on sexuality and Churches. Magdalene Jeyarathnam presented a paper and actively participated in the debates and discussions which helped the NCCI to come up with a good policy statement

December 26th and 27th - Peer counselling training has started for the members of the LGBT community. The training will be conducted only over the weekends.

Christmas 2009

2010-01-07T22:53:00.000-08:00

Christmas Celebration 2009

Date: 23rd Dec’09

This year Christmas celebration has been organised on our (roof)terrace. Around 6pm in the evening people met for a potluck dinner party. Almost all who said they would come arrived and every one participated in the games. We had the movie ‘Wizard of Oz’ playing in the background, followed by the video of a Madonna album. The participant list is as follows

1. Sudhakar
2. Kavya
3. Ramba
4. Raja
5. Anirudh
6. Vikranth
7. Prabu
8. Asma
9. Sharanya
10. Sunil Menon
11. Randall Giles
12. Harsha
13. Sundar
14. Olga
15. Shiva
16. Srijith
17. Rupesh
18. Mani
19. Raji

Our Center for Counselling staff who joined in organising as well as participated were

20. Mrs.Magdalene, her husband Mr.Eric Miller and daughter Kamala Miller
21. Dhanalakshmi
22. Subashini
23. Usha
24. Padmini

We had a lot of food and everyone enjoyed the food very much. After the dinner little Kamala Miller, Magdalene’s daughter cut the Christmas cake. Cake and gifts were distributed to all the members present and they excitedly opened the gifts. Every one enjoyed the party and it was a wounderful evening!!

Few of the members who were not able to join the celebration due to various reasons spent the evening on Christmas day at Magdalene’s home on 25th Dec 2009. She presented their gifts to them too. They were very happy to receive the gifts for Christmas.
Those who visited on 25th were
1. Kalki
2. Sowndarya
3. Devianyi
4. Kannagi
5. Divya

Here are some photos to remind us.

Our support to the open minds campaign

2009-10-20T00:23:00.000-07:00

The NDTV Hindu show which had Sunil Menon, Rev Winnie Verghese, Shobhna, Gabriel, Elizabeth and me. It is in 4 segments.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iq6TGEm1gN4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHkbakzvag0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQUHrFifPOI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdEQFc7FAok

There is so much discrimination at the health setting. Doctors, particularly psychiatrists, social workers and counsellors pretending or cheating people that they can "cure" or "treat" gay people. Treatment usually means "aversion" or "conversion" therapy which includes ECT often. (Electro conversion therapy or shock treatment)

An example of a psychiatrist's bias rather than her professionalism is here on the links below:

http://tinyurl.com/ndtvhindu-cfom1

http://tinyurl.com/ndtvhindu-cfom2

Please look up this website for further information orinam.net

If you are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender and for whatever reason you have to visit a psychiatrist these are some doctors names in Chennai:

Dr Suresh kumar - clinic 044- 24332285/ mobile 98400 31559/ email msuresh@vsnl.com
Dr Shalini - 28514741(clinic) - 55 Triplicane High road,
Dr Mohan Raj - Please call us and we could give you the number
Dr Anbudurai - Please call us and we could give you the number

If you wish to go through some counselling or personal work mainly because of the trauma you have experienced or you are in a particularly stressful situation or if you wish information regarding other health services which are LGBT friendly please call us at the Center for Counselling office (9884100135).

Call our Counselling helplines( 9 AM to 6 PM):

+91 98847 00104 (English)

+91 98847 00174 (Tamil)

If you are in a crisis, (police, rowdy harassment etc )

You could call Sangama helpline (24 hr) 98406 99776

Center for counselling- Workshops Aug to Dec 2009

2009-07-26T06:15:00.000-07:00

Please click on the image to read

Art therapy Workshop - Jen Kristel

2009-07-25T12:42:00.000-07:00

A brief background to Expressive Art Therapy(including Art Therapy)

Stopping talk allows a person to immediately experience themselves in a whole other manner. This does not discount the power of talk therapy however; talking often brings a person out of the deeper, more emotional places where feeling occurs. Talking often keeps a person on the surface more easily. Using the arts often goes to the core of an issue, since there is little in the way to block deep feeling and awareness. The arts can often be a direct link with the unconscious archetypal level and the part of us that speaks what is true and what is real and often through symbolic language.

Using the arts is a direct, yet gentle nonjudgmental approach. There can not be any judgment when it comes to the therapeutics aspects of art.

Duration - 5 days

Dates - 17 to 21 November 2009(Tue to Sat)

Timing - 10 AM to 5 PM

Participant list of Art Therapy workshop

S.No	Names	Mobile numbers and mail ID
1.	Dr.Anbudorai	9884062620 dr_anbudorai@yahoo.com
2.	Archanaa Seker	9840523235 seker.archanaa@gmail.com
3.	Archana Joshi	9962569285/044-25610190 ahj_147@yaho.co.in
4.	Aruna Jothi	9347774237/09000784213
5.	Bhuvana	9840774659 Perky_bg@yahoo.co.in
6.	Julie	julie@budsofchirist.org
7.	Rupa	9840833324 rupa.wv@gmail.com
8.	Magdalene Jeyarathnam	9884100135 magdalene@centerforcounselling.org
9.	Sara Kachwala	9840853653 sarahk33@gmail.com
10.	Chandini
11.	Alisha	9962495624

Please cut and paste this link for photos of the art therapy workshop

http://picasaweb.google.com/jenkristel24/20091125LastWeekIndia?feat=email#

Profile of Jennie Kristel

Jen Kristel, M.A. has a Masters in Expressive Arts Therapy. She is certified as an Expressive Therapist. She is a Master/Teacher of the Usui Method of Reiki and Karuna Reiki. She is certified as a trainer of the Playback Theatre Method, and teaches this as well as Art Therapy both in the States and internationally. She is a lead foreign adviser for the Bangladesh Therapeutic Theatre Institute and supervises students and on going projects there. Based in Vermont USA, Jen teaches the expressive therapies at Burlington College and has a private practice.Jen's background includes training in Jungian Dreamwork and Dream Theatre (with Jeremy Taylor) and comes from a Jungian/Humanist perspective. Over the years, she has worked in clinical and non-clinical settings bringing the arts to people as a way to support them in healing. She is looking forward to bringing this very important work to Chennai.

Potential Content of 5 day training at the Center for Counselling,

Chennai, India ( 9-5 including 2 breaks and lunch)

The goals of this training to for participants to explore and sample the use of art therapy, in the context of supporting people in times of crises as well as on going support.

Theory and practice of group building through Sociometry exercises

The theory and uses of Art as a therapeutic tool

Neurobiological effects of trauma (or other experiences)

Neurological effects of the use of art to treat differing psychological issues

To practice different aspects of Art Therapy daily

To learn about different ways to use art and therapy, in differing populations (Family, Couples, Psychiatric illnesses, Children, physically challenged, Autistic, Using for empowerment, groups and issues concerning community social action.)

To look at the influences of Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Carl Rogers and others on the world of Art Therapy

Ethics of Art therapy from a western perspective- Discussion of ethics from an Indian perspective.

Leading an art therapy session, Warm up to Cool down how to do, and decide which exercise?

Although this is primarily an experiential training, there will be time for discussion , processing and sharing.

Playback Theatre Workshop

2009-07-25T09:24:00.000-07:00

A brief background to Playback Theatre

Playback Theatre, in which audience members tell personal stories and watch as a team of actors re-enact the stories, was developed by Jonathan Fox and the original Playback theatre troupe in the mid seventies as one way of integrating the personal aspect of a person’s life story and the public aspect of performance. Playback theatre is now done by over 300 companies in over 50 countries and growing. This form of theatre is both healing and empowering and is used in a variety of clinical and non-clinical settings including prisons, schools, mental health settings, corporations, and is performed in open audience performance to bear witness to personal stories of the audience. It is used for conflict resolution and to give voice to those who have experienced natural disasters and trauma.

Playback theatre allows both the teller of a story and the audiences the opportunity to relive memories be they happy, sad, or funny. The result is often a deeper sense of community, and a sense that “My” story is really “Our” story. The vision of Playback Theatre is to enable communities of all kinds to come together in a way that creates community.

The process of Playback is deceivingly simple. At one level, we are playing back a persons story from his/her life. Yet, the act of creating the safety that allows anyone to tell the story is important, as well as the ability to listen deeply, not so much with our ears, but from our heart to the tellers story, and bear witness to it through the enactment as a way of giving them a gift. As an actor, we receive these stories as a gift, and it is important then to hand back to the individual as well as to the audience as a whole.

Dates

November 9 & 10 - Monday and Tuesday at the Madras University(English department) Contact Magdalene Jeyarathnam 9884100135 if you wish to join this workshop and you are not from Madras University.

November 11 & 12 - Wednesday and Thursday at Karur for a theatre group organised by Christi Swamy.

November 14 & 15 - Saturday and Sunday at AICUF, students have a discount if you show your ID card and if you are not a student you can pay a registration fee of Rs 750/ - A simple lunch and tea is organised. Register with Center for Counselling 9884700135.

S.No	Names	E.mail IDs and phone numbers
1	R.Naveen	naveen andrew@ymail.com andrewnaveen@ymail.com
2	D.Maria Edward Raj	9962895467 mariaedward.edwin@gmail.com
3	P.K.Vinoth	kumarnathan@yahoo.com vinothdeva@ymail.com
4	John F Romeo	John,explorer@gmail.com
5	E.K.Narasimman	narasimmanek@ymail.com
6	Gejoy.K	gejoy.k@gmail.com 9884032435
7	M.Gasper Vincent	9952525966 v.ajay_2007@yahoo.com
8	Saral V
9	A.Glory	9941005977
10	G.Kavitha	gp_kavi@yahoo.com
11	Alicia Prarthana	alicia. stephen@gmail.com
12	Dhanalakshmi.R
13	V.Kamatchi	994192999
14	Lapdiang Artimai Syiem	lapdiang@yahoo.co.in 9043753490
15	DR.Aubudurai	dr_anbudurai@yahoo.com 9884062620
16	M.K. Joseph James	9444472353 joejamesmk@yahoo.co.in jjamesmk@gmail.com
17	Sabastian	9444825765 sebastin01@yahoo.com sebastinsathish@ymail.com
18	Jennie kristal
19	Magdalene Jeyerathinam

Profile of Jennie Kristel

Workshops on Psychodrama and profile of Trainer

2009-07-25T09:02:00.000-07:00

Experience Compassion …Connection … Creativity…

Celebrations of the Soul and The Center for Counselling

Present a unique training experience through spontaneous action methods of Psychodrama, for the first time in Chennai, this training will offer opportunities for professional development and personal growth for counsellors, social workers and practicing therapists at all levels of experience.

Reserve your place and register as limited seats are available! Program details follow:

The training will include:

1. introduction to psychodrama methodology

2. practical explorations of the role theory of personality and applications to therapeutic situations

3. introduction to the methods of Sociometry for promoting group cooperation, reducing conflicts and achieving common goals

When: 22 to 26 September 2009(Mon to Fri)

Time: 10 AM to 5 PM

General outline of the training:

Day 1: introduction: working contract, sociometric group-building for trust, safety and spontaneity; introduction to doubling, role reversal and simple role-taking;

psychodramatic action: presentation of a meaningful place.

Day 2: continue sociometric group-building; action warmups; doubling practice; introduction to Role Theory: role presentations; simple role inventory;

psychodramatic action: encounter with interpersonal role.

Day 3: continue sociometric group-building; doubling practice; role reversal practice; exploring sociometry: the social atom;

psychodramatic action: 1-scene psychodrama or multi-scene psychodrama.

Day 4: continue sociometric group-building; exploring sociodrama: presenting social roles; ' Empty Chair' (single role) sociodrama; multi-role sociodrama on issue/problem of group choice

Day 5: morning - warmup & sociometry; psychodrama or sociodrama of group choice; afternoon - closure: sociodrama on the life of the group.

What is Psychodrama?

Psychodrama was conceived and developed by Jacob L. Moreno, MD, first in Vienna beginning in 1921 and later in the United States. Since then it has spread around the world and is now practiced extensively in the US and Canada, the UK and Europe, Brazil, Australia, Israel, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea.

Rooted in the twin foundations of spontaneity/creativity and the role theory of personality, it has found very effective application not only as a group therapy modality in hospitals, clinics and prviate practice, but also in education, the arts, organization development and community action. Psychodrama uses our innate capacity for role-playing to investigate our lives in a mutually supportive environment, to re experience and change the past, to affirm our strengths, to try out future alternatives and to change what we choose. It requires no experience or training in formal theater.

Herb Propper, Ph.D., T.E.P.

Herb Propper, Ph.D., T.E.P. is a Trainer Educator Practitioner of Psychodrama, Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy, certified by the American Board of Examiners. He has 30 years of experience in the field. He is Director of Celebrations of the Soul Center for Psychodrama, Sociodrama and Sociometry in Vermont, USA, in private practice as therapist, trainer and consultant.

Herb has been selected by the Bureau of Educational Affairs, US Department of State, as a 2009 Fulbright scholar to teach psychodrama and sociometry in Bangladesh. He is hosted by the Dhaka University Department of Clinical Psychology and the Jahangirnagar University Department of Drama and Dramatics.

He is a lifetime member and fellow of the American Societry of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama (ASGPP). He has presented numerous workshops at conferences of the ASGPP and its affiliated New England chapter.

Since 2003 he has been a lead trainer for the National Therapeutic Theatre Workshops of Bangladesh, and is also a member of the Bangladesh Therapeutic Theatre Institute.

He has published articles on sociodrama, psychodrama in theater work and role-playing in education in The British Journal of Psychodrama and Sociodrama, The Journal of Group Psychotherapy, Psychodrama and Sociometry,and The Internaional Journal of Action Methods. He has also contributed a chapter on uses of psychodrama in education to Psychodrama in the 21st Century.

Participants who attended the workshop Nov 22 to 26, 2009

Name	Email id	Phone number	Occupation
S.Suneetha	Suneethadebe@yahoo.co.in	9282424181	H.R Professional
Kalyani	kalyani.r41980@gmail.com	9884608097	Writer
Subashini	kuttly80@gmail.com	9710080747	Counsellor
Dhanalakshmi	dana.rsamy@gmail.com	9884700104	Counsellor
Aruna	arunaa.aj@gmail.com	9347774237 9000784213	Counsellor
Shravanthi	sravu.carpediem@gmail.com	9884848762	Student
Sarah	sarahk33@gmail.com	9840853653	Corporate trainer
Beatrice	bvanaja@gmail.com	9443151651	Social worker
Mrinalini	mermirna@gmail.com	9444022904	Dancer
Sharanya	sharanya.manivannan@gmail.com		Writer
Lakshmi	Luxor3004@yahoo.com	9840942909	Counsellor &psychotherapist
Magdalene	Magdalene.jeyarathnam@gmail.com	9884100135	Counsellor

2009-06-30T01:23:00.000-07:00

Links about us/ our work/ our opinions on LGBT issues

2009-06-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

Center for Counselling believes in dignity and respect for all irrespective of their sexual orientation, gender identities, religious beliefs, cultural differences, ages, education or economic status.

Some of our opinions in the news lately:

http://www.hindu.com/2009/06/21/stories/2009062156890200.htm

http://www.hindu.com/2009/06/21/stories/2009062158700300.htm

http://www.hindu.com/mp/2009/06/20/stories/2009062051780800.htm

http://www.go-nxg.com/?p=5022

http://www.thehindu.com/2009/06/27/stories/2009062759080300.htm

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMDkvMDYvMjgjQXIwMDkwMA==&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom

http://epaper.newindpress.com/NE/NE/2009/06/29/index.shtml(this is removed but I have scanned the photo and it is the first picture on this post)

Defining our Counselling work

2009-06-21T10:50:00.000-07:00

Counselling one on one for

Enriching your marriage
Planning on separation, divorce
Enhancing your potential at work, family relationships etc
Assessments for children
Planning remedial lessons for children with learning disabiities
Confusion regarding sexual orientations/ gender identities

Center for Counselling also runs group therapy at our office:

Groups for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, transgendered communities (Tamil as well as English groups)
Support groups for Parents, siblings, friends and other family members of the LGBT community (bilingual)
Support groups for those who are recovering from depression or other mental illnesses
Support groups for family members of those who have terminal illnesses - Cancer, HIV/AIDS, mental illnesses etc.

+91 - 9884100135

Basic counselling training workshop June 13 to 16 2009

2009-06-19T06:09:00.000-07:00

The members participated in the workshop were

Ms. Upasana, Ethiraj college for women

Mr. Sundar, Sahodaran

Mr. T.D. Siva kumar, Sangama

Ms. Sharanya Manivannan, Writer

Mr. Krishna, Sahodaran

Ms. Dhanalakshmi, Center for counselling

Mr. V. Sivapatham, Swam

Feed back from the participants:

The workshop was very good- both serious and enjoyable, was never dry - use of case studies, role play, etc ensured that it never lapsed into theoretical /academic study. Extremely informative about the ground realities in dealing with certain groups in crisis. - Sharanya Manivannan, Freelance writer.

It was really and extremely good. Each moment makes us to learn new things. Personal sharing helps us to burn out our stress and pain. Hospitality was extremely good. - T.D.Shivakumar, Sangama

This workshop was extremely good, especially the role play session. I will use all these skills when I handle clients in the MSM community. I could able to understand the skills of a counsellor, stages of counselling, acknowledging the emotion of the client, etc - Sundar , Sahodaran

The workshop was very simple to understand and i feel that I need to learn lots more on counselling. The training place was very well arranged, it was very calm and comfortable. - Sivapatham, Swam

I enjoyed the session. It gave me an insight into Counselling psychology. I feel this field needs a lot of patience. This workshop was only a brief insight into what counselling all about, there is still a lot to learn. Brief insight into different ways of counselling like Individual, group, video conference, e-mails, etc. - Upasana, Ethiraj college for women.

I did not know anything in counselling, but i have learnt basic skills to handle the session through this workshop. The Director is a very good trainer - Krishna, Sahodaran.

Do men have moods?

2009-06-09T19:33:00.000-07:00

In response to questions posed by Sudha Umashankar from Hindu Metroplus:

Do you think men have moods?

All humans sometimes get into moods, that is “bad moods”. When people are in bad moods, they may feel doubt or anger towards themselves or others. Any number of external and internal factors can trigger one getting into “a mood”. External factors may include foods that one eats, the weather, things that one does, ways that people treat one, and other things that may happen to one. Internal factors may include discomfort in one’s body, and memories and thoughts that come up from inside one.

Men certainly get into moods. In my experience as counsellor, I find that men get very upset and sad mostly when they are facing some problem in their relationships or career, or if they are suffering from some mental illness.

Is it unusual for a person to become moody? When does it get to be a concern ?

It is not unusual to get upset if life gives us something to be unhappy about. If a person loses his job for example, it is natural to be upset and this reaction is absolutely “normal”. One might worry if a person who experiences a loss of a job does not experience a bad mood!

“Mood Swings” however are a different matter. The term, Mood Swing, refers to a condition in which one may be ecstatically joyous one moment, and then very angry or sad the next moment. That is, the person alternates between soaring and crashing, often without much external changes of conditions. A person in such a state loses perspective in each case, and gets carried away with the emotion of the moment. If this condition persists, it may be diagnosed as a mental illness known as Bi-Polar disorder. Treatment may involve Talk Therapy and/or Medication. Getting early diagnosis and treatment for this condition can bring a lot of relief for the afflicted individual, as well as for family and friends.

What do men get moody about? Work, marriage, other things? Compared to women especially.

In my practice, I find that younger men are often very anxious and upset when it comes to relationships. Courtship and marriage are particularly stressful. When a relationship does not work out as desired, I find that young men often do become desperate and lose perspective.

On the other hand, I find that men in their 40s and 50s are more anxious when it comes to job, career, and finances. This also has to do with how well they feel they are providing for their families. Thoughts about retirement often bring a great deal of stress, and get men in their 60s very emotional if they have not been able to prepare for their retirement well.

Does it become difficult for the spouse or other family members to handle them because men don't like to talk about what's bothering them ?

It is true that many men find it more difficult to express what they feel to a spouse or family member. This is because of the conditioning that happens to men over many years. Many men think it is a sign of weakness to express their emotions, especially emotions like sadness, disappointments, anxiety, and fear.

On the other hand, I find that men who come for professional counselling are often much more verbal and able to discuss their emotions than many other men. This may be the case because men who choose to go to a counsellor may be more willing and able to articulate their feelings in the first place. It may also be that they have faith that the professional is not going to judge them, but rather the counsellor is going to be able to help them if they give the counsellor a clear picture of what is going on.

How are men’s moods best handled?

Men’s anxious or depressed moods, like women’s, should never be treated lightly. Generally, it will only be counter-productive to say to a person in a bad mood, “Snap out of it,” or “Pull yourself together”.

What a friend or family member should do is to say to the person, “It seems like you might be in a bad mood. Are you?” If the answer is, “Yes,” one can ask, “Would you like to tell me what is the matter?” Then one should listen carefully and empathetically. Perhaps after hearing the full story, one might ask the person if he or she might have any idea of how to improve the situation, or one might even suggest possible ways to improve things.

One needs to be patient with someone who is in a bad mood. It usually takes a person a good deal of time to work him or herself out of a bad mood, and it is useless to try to rush this recovery process.

In today’s times there is a lot more stress, and a lot less family support, in most people’s lives than there was in the past. Most of us are not living in the midst of large extended families. Most of us are not working in the same professions our parents and grandparents worked in. Discussing problematic situations with family and friends when one feels a little low can be fine. However, if one feels that it might cause discomfort to family and friends to hear one’s anxieties, then looking for a professional counsellor is a good solution.

Counselling has very much come of age today, unlike even ten years ago. Today many people do not go for help only when everything is falling apart. Instead, now many people wisely begin to seek help even before a problem becomes full-blown. Investment in terms of time and money to seek emotional support, and to get a “reality check” about decision-making can pay rich dividends in the way one carries on daily life activities.

Do women get moody at certain times of the month? Is this hormone related? Is that not the case with men ?

Women’s moods are definitely affected by their monthly menstrual cycles. The hormonal changes that accompany this cycle in a woman’s body causes varying amounts of stress and depression, and can indeed cause her to be more emotional at certain times of the month. A majority of women are affected with these emotions in varying degrees in what is commonly known as the Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS).

Similar emotions, again with a biological hormonal basis, also sometimes occur in women soon after the birth of a child. A majority of women have varying degrees of Post-Partum Depression, depending on the support system that is available to them. This can put a lot of pressure on the marital relationship. Discussing and seeking help for this possible condition even before childbirth can help all involved.

Men are known to experience various moods as adolescents, based on hormonal changes, but this begins to settle in their 20s. It is not yet scientifically determined whether or not men go though monthly physical mood-altering cycles in any way similar to what women experience with their menstrual cycles.

What about patient rights?

2009-06-09T15:13:00.000-07:00

This is in relation to a couple of articles that have been reported in
the newspapers last week in Chennai, about 16 government health care
workers who tested positive out of 594 employees in the government
general hospital with Hepatitis in the city, which is around 2% of the
health care workers. The client load in this hospital per day is
around 10,000 patients.

I would like to point out that this hospital has never discriminated
against positive people, not that I know of.

Please read the link below:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chennai/GH-breaks-norms-gives-hepatitis-ve-staff-names/articleshow/4581565.cms

This brought in focus was how, many health care settings are afraid to
treat 0.9% of the HIV positive people in our country while we, (any
one of us could be patients) should not worry about 2% of our health
care workers who have Hepatitis....

One of the issues raised here is relating to patient's rights in a
public/ private heath care setting:

1. How and where should patients report in case confidentiality is
breached - their details are informed to parents, family etc?

2. What should we do to ensure that we do not get any infection-
hepatitis or HIV through a health care setting? What are some of the
questions we must ask our doctor/ nurse or anyone who is conducting
any invasive procedures?

3. If we get infected by any chance, and we know that it is from the
health care setting, what is the right of the patient?

4. How can we promote patient rights? Is it possible for any
organisation/ SACS to print patient rights and ensure it is put up as
posters in hospitals?

5. What is the legal right of a patient if the doctor is refusing to
treat a patient with HIV or any other infectious disease? Who should
we approach if it is a public/ private health care setting? How can a
patient prove that there is discrimination?

Basic Counselling Skills training workshop

2009-06-07T13:42:00.000-07:00

Basic Counselling Skills Training Workshop

Chennai's Center for Counselling (CFC)is conducting a "Workshop on Basic Counselling skills"

Date : 13th to 16th June 2009 (Saturday to Tuesday)

Time : 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Venue : 18 Radhakrishnan Salai 9th St.,(opp citi center shopping mall)

3rd Floor, Mylapore, Chennai 600 004.

The topics covered will be

Basic skills in counselling,
Approaches in counselling,
Qualities of a counsellor, and
Stages in Counselling.

At the end of the training participants will be skilled in working as counsellors. Participants will receive not only a certificate but also a minimum of 16 hours of hands on experience in practice. This workshop will also be helpful as a refresher course for those who have been trained before.

CFC trains those have the aptitude and training in counselling. Our objective is to train individuals and organisations who are implementing counselling services.

We use participatory learning techniques - Group discussion, sharing of testimonials, games and exercises, consideration of case studies, role plays are some of the methodologies used.

Registrations are open. We are taking only 12 people in this batch.

Leadership programme for young women in the kellys home

2009-06-03T00:19:00.000-07:00

Leadership for young women in the Resource Center, Kellys

Group Strength : 21

Name of the Trainer : Ms. Sivakami

Age of the Trainees : 14-18 years

Venue : Government Observation Home

for Girls - 153, Purasawalkam

High Road, Chennai 10

Day 1- Monday, 18th May 2009

Topic Introduction - Rapport Building

Objective - To observe and build rapport with the team

Rapport building is the single most important aspect of our communication. In fact, all communication efforts can get futile if we do not have a rapport with our team members.

· To understand -

· The places and people we spend time with

· The way each one look, sound, and behave

· The skills they have learned so far

· Their purpose in life

Activity -

(i) Pass around a bag of candy. Tell the participants to take as many as they want. Once all the participants have candy, tell them that for each candy they took they have to say one thing about themselves. For instance, if a participant took 10 candies, they would have to say 10 things about themselves.

(ii) After introducing themselves they have to call out the name of a person whom they like ‘the best ‘in the group and say why they like them.

PS: They have to avoid repeating the names of members who have already introduced.

Day 2 Tuesday, 19^th May 2009

Topic Introduction - Ethics and Moral Values

Objective - Philosophical approaches to ethical choice and reflection…

To understand-

· The values that they live by

· Their beliefs about ethics and moral values

“The problems of philosophy involve questions in which we are all (or should all be) deeply interested at the most basic level. They are important to us as we make decisions about what to believe, and how to be critical of our own naively held beliefs. Philosophical investigation may help us to determine what kinds of choices we should make, and what kind of person to be.

It may help us to form a rational life plan, and to better understand our own motives and fears.

Identifying Ethics: Principles of ethics should provide us guidance as we make choices in a complicated world. Ideally, an account of ethics should help us to identify moral principles and morally relevant features of the choices we face

Ethics : Ethical codes of conduct instruct us on what we ought or ought not to do.

Values : Values underlie ethical codes. For any ethical code, we can evaluate it by considering the values that support it.

Subjective : “Different people just have different values, and there is no way to argue or reason about the evaluative assumptions that lie behind different ethical judgments or choices.

Activity :

The group was divided into two; Group A had to come up with various stages of Man and the ethics and values he have to practice at each stage of life and Group B had to do various stages of life of a woman –the values she had to practice and preach to her children.

Both the team had to enact what they should do and what they should not do at each stage.

Reward: Two best participants were identified and rewarded.

Day 3- Wednesday, 20^th 2009

Topic - Higher Education

Objective - To decide the future and set the standard of living one need to be aware of various courses/careers available.

To understand -

· Groups available in XI

· Courses available in science and Arts Colleges

· Differences between Skilled and unskilled labors

· Brief about

Professional Degrees -Engineering/medicine/Law

Vocational/diplomas

Master Degrees/Doctorate degrees

· What is Standard of Living

· Job Market

· Practicality/difficulty in choosing

Activity:

The group was asked to sit in a circle one member of the group had to run with a parcel round the circle and drop it where ever she wanted to; that person had to come inside the circle and do whatever punishment the group ask her to do.

e.g. to dance/sing etc., and then should express what they wanted to become in future and why. Then the trainer would explain about the course the advantage /the drawbacks of the course/how much they can earn in future etc.,

Day 4- Thursday, 21^st 2009

Topic - Marriage & Relationship

Objective - A Healthy Relationship - Teenage Abusive Relationships - Physical, Emotional, and Sexual Abuse

To understand-

A Healthy Relationship Everyone has a right to a safe and healthy relationship—one that is based on mutual honesty, trust, respect and open communication, a relationship consists of two people; both should always feel like an equal in the relationship and feel free to speak their mind.

What is considered abuse? : Abuse can be verbal, physical, or sexual when concerning an intimate relationship. Verbal Abuse: Name calling, put-downs, insults, blaming, criticizing, accusing, hurtful jokes, controlling, remarks about appearance Physical Abuse: Pinching, punching, biting, throwing objects, spitting, pulling hair, preventing from eating or sleeping, driving fast to intimidate you Sexual: Unwanted touching, withholding sex, forcing sex, sexual name calling, refusing to practice safe sex .

To Understand -

· The right age to get married

· Psychological factors

· Types of Relationships –Homosexuals/heterosexuals/Bisexual

· One to one & Many to one Relationship

· Pros and Cons of every relationship

· Sustainability - Love or Arrange Marriage

· Difference between Love & Lust

Activity:

The group was divided into 4 member team – Quiz was conducted among them. Where the team had to answer the trainer’s query, if they don’t know the answer the question will be passed on to the next team. At the end of each question the team gets a chance to understand the Myths& Facts.

Day 5 - Friday 22^nd 2009

Topic - Sex Education

Objective - To create consciousness about what is sex;

To realize teenage is not the right age for having sex, how to protect themselves from being abused

To understand-

· Sexually Transmitted Diseases

· AIDS /STD/HIV- How virus spread

· Abortion – Various ways of abortion

· Common Problems faced by Adolescent s

· Difference between friendship and love and sex- between same gender and opposite gender

· Fertility - Age

Activity:

The group members were asked to sit in a circle and one member was asked to sit in the center and clap; two objects one in green colour and another in red colour were asked to pass on around the circle. Each time the clapping was stopped, the person having red colour would ask question and the person in green would answer for it. For each question the trainer would oversee and explain the facts.

Marriage counselling

2009-05-12T09:55:00.000-07:00

Marriages – Made in Heaven?

The big Indian wedding is mostly about the parties, jewelry, wedding halls, decorations, honeymoon destinations, bridal trousseaus and families getting together. The amount of time, resources and energy that is spent in planning the big day often depends on how wealthy the families are.

The “big day”, however, is just the beginning of what many people neglect to prepare for. Getting married is the easy part. Staying married is difficult, and staying happily married is hard work and a distant reality for many.

What follows the big day for many women and men is a rude shock! To suddenly realize that I cannot make decisions on my own now; “we” have to decide together. Spending an hour longer at work needs a discussion, going out on an office outing needs a discussion, visiting parents (or in laws) has to have a discussion, where we should go for dinner is only after a discussion, how do we spend our income is a discussion. It is no more “I”, it is “we”.

Enriching one’s marriage is not difficult if one cares to invest some time, resources and energy. Being happily married does not have to be a distant reality. It can be a conscious decision that one takes in life. The more one talks constructively, the more one knows and understands the other person, and the more one empathizes with one’s partner, the less it seems like a tug of war. Counselling is a sure way of enriching one’s marriage.

Counselling may be undergone by one or both members of a couple, separately or together.

On the counsellor’s part, counselling involves facilitating processes of decision making, hearing each other, respecting one another and empathizing with one another. Counselling should not be confused with advice-giving. Counselling is helping a person speak his/her own thoughts and desires. Good counselling is often proactive: that is, it often leads to a constructive plan for action, to improve the situation.

Here are some frequently asked questions about marriage counselling:

Can family members be counsellors?

Family members are bound to take sides. Either they support their own daughter or son, or in some cases support the son- or daughter-in-law more than their own child. Other people taking sides brings a lot of resentment between partners, and this will not help the couple. The same goes with friends. Anyone who has an emotional attachment to either partner cannot be fair.

A counsellor is a neutral person who does not take sides. The counsellor is someone who will not be affected by any decision the members of the couple may make.

Is counselling only meant for those who have a mental problem?

Not at all. Counselling is for anyone who may want help thinking something through. In many cases, counselling can be seen as preventing serious problems, ensuring that there is no trouble later on. In other words, counselling is useful not only when someone has a problem, but also when one wishes to avoid a problem. Many times I hear people say “my problem is not all that big”. But the very fact that one is thinking and worrying about one’s marriage, shows that problems in the relationship may be bigger than one might like to admit they are.

What is the difference between counselling and giving advice?

Counselling is all about listening, and helping clients to become conscious of, and to verbalise their own thoughts and desires. Counselling is based on the concept of an equal relationship between counsellor and client, the principal that every client has the ability to make decisions which are the best for his/her own life. The counsellor does not have the answers.

Giving advice smacks of authority, and may imply that the client does not know what is best for him/her, and has to be told everything,

Is counselling only for young couples?

Counselling does not have an age limit. Counselling benefits both the young, and the not so young alike. Even if you have been married for 20 years, the length is not as important as the quality of the marriage. As I said before, the question here is “are you happily married?” If you think something might be amiss, it is never too late to identify and seek to fix the problem.

When and in what stages of marriage can counselling be useful?

The different stages of marriage in which counselling can be helpful are:

Pre-marital Counselling:

Getting married is a transition from one stage to another; from being single to being married. Counselling in this stage can help both members of the couple avoid any conflicts once the marriage takes place. A counsellor can facilitate discussion of issues such as those relating to finance, children, parenting, employment, career path, continuing education, etc.

Marriage Counselling:

Enriching your marriage: To understand the personality of your spouse, and adjusting to each other. To learn to understand, respect -- and in some cases, tolerate -- each other’s values and beliefs.

Resolving anger: For the couple’s sake, and also for their children’s sakes. It is very destructive to children for them to live in an environment in which their parents are constantly bickering with each other, or not talking with each other.

Building on the positives: Identifying what works in the relationship, what makes each member happy, and planning how to maximize such behaviors.

Nurturing one’s relationship in the context of a joint family: Living with in laws requires a lot of understanding of one’s partner, and his/her parents.

Living through adultery: Rebuilding a marriage relationship after one partner has had an affair.

Dealing with an abusive relationship: If one feels one is being physically, verbally, emotionally abused, one may benefit from talking with a supportive person who will listen, and help one draw some conclusions regarding how one can improve the situation. Abuse may be related to addiction, domestic violence, or some other problem. Counselling can help one to decide what to do to try to improve matters; or when and how to leave the relationship in order to protect oneself.

Counselling to being better parents: Child-raising issues and their impact on the marriage relationship.

Divorce Counselling:

Taking a decision to divorce or try again: This is a very important decision and both partners need to think this through. Counselling helps in making this decision either way.

Couples who are going through a divorce: A couple which is separating may produce two individuals with a lot of bitterness. No matter who has filed for divorce first, both parties often go through a depression. A feeling of coping with single life after being married requires a lot of adjustment. If handled well, this may lead to people rediscovering themselves, and their interests.

Counselling children whose parents are getting divorced: Members of a divorcing couple are sometimes so wrapped up in their own problems, that they may not be fully aware of what their children may be going through. Children sometimes blame themselves, feel guilty, and feel responsible for their parents’ separation. Children can be taught to cope with living in two homes, maybe having to change home, town, school etc. Much evidence shows that children are often traumatized by the separation of their parents.

Remarriage Counselling:

Is one ready to marry again, with all fairness to one’s new partner? Counselling can help one make sure that one is not carrying one’s bitterness about the past, and other baggage into the new relationship.

Leadership programme for young women

2009-05-12T09:53:00.000-07:00

It is summer vacation and we planned to do the leadership programme for the young women in Kellys.

Center for Counselling's support to Sahodari organisation working for transgendered women - 19 April 2009

2009-04-19T10:40:00.001-07:00

Kalki rightly said: its a one woman show, the show belonged to Kalki right from the start to end. Congrats Sahodari Kalki

Pic 1 - Kalki and Srijith

Pic 2 - Olga, me, Kalki, Selvam(female to male transgender) and Sunil

Pic 3 - Sankari our counsellor being interviewed on Makkal TV.

Pic 4 -The signature campaign

Pic 5 - "Treat transgendered people with respect" speech..

Pic 6 - A good crowd, we had police support too.

This event was held in the Marina beach with the permission of the commissioner of police, Chennai.

Transgendered Women – The Hunt for Dignity

In the recent days an incident reported in the newspapers may have caused a lot of confusion and fear about Transgendered women among the public. While it is a struggle for transgendered women for basic needs, it is also a struggle to gain the general community’s acceptance.

Sahodari -- an NGO founded by Kalki, a Transwoman herself -- presents:

“Scars”

A Street Play scripted and directed by

Kalki and Srijith (a theatre and cinema artist)

The play conveys the following message:

Transgendered women, also known as Transwomen, do not force men to change into women. Those who wish to become a Transgendered woman after much trials and struggles come in search and join the Transgender community. Then, when and if they want to emasculate, they go for surgery. Surgery is a choice they make – it is not forced by anyone else.

Families do not accept an effeminate male child. The community ridicules, mocks and bullies him, this abuse leaves deep scars. We do not send him for emotional support like counselling. These young boys run away from their homes, this is where their life path changes. If parents are understanding and accept their children their lives will not ruined. All Transgendered women are either sent out of their homes or have left, unable to cope with the pressure.

Transgendered women wish to be part of the society. Just like other men and women, we too make mistakes but then the entire transgender community is blamed. Even in the Transgender community a small number with power and money abuse others. Those who are victimized must be protected under the law just like anyone else.

When Transgendered women commit crimes and are jailed, they must be put in prisons for women. When they are imprisoned with men, they undergo sexual abuse and suffer unnecessary stress. Transgendered women must be imprisioned only with female prisoners.

“Pain” -- Poems read by Students, Artists, Social Workers and Transgendered people to convey the lives and struggles of Transgendered people.

Signature Campaign -- Following which a signature campaign in support of the rights of the transgendered women was done.

Kalki

Founder/ Director

Sahodari Foundation

Web: www.sahodari.org

Phone: 9786211779

Email: aurokalki@gmail.com

Skype: kalki-india

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising everytime we fall – Nelson Mandela

More pictures of this event is in the link below:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=19512&id=1460622733&l=fbc33ae680

Trainings in September

2009-04-07T05:46:00.000-07:00

Center for Counselling will be conducting

A) Two week training on Psychodrama in September. The trainer will be Dr Herb Propper PhD, TEP, certified trainer, educator and practitioner from the USA.

What is PSYCHODRAMA?

Enhacing individual and group creativity …

Sharing our inner world with others …

Opening pathways to self-directed change …

Exploring past, present or future relationships…

"Role-playing comes before the emergence of the self --"

- Dr. J. L. Moreno, creator of Psychodrama, Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy

Psychodrama uses our innate capacity for role-playing to investigate our lives in a mutually supportive environment, to reexperience and change the past, to affirm our strengths, to try out future alternatives and to change what we choose.

It requires no experience or training in formal theater.

Psychodrama draws on the spontaneous and creative process of the group to help each other discover satisfying solutions to individual and collective situations. It gives us insights into the underlying dynamics of a group, to see the ways people are connected to one another, and to choose our companions or colleagues with increased mutual satisfaction. It offers opportunities to take more responsibility for and control over our lives, individually and collectively.

Psychodrama is a means of exploring our lives together with other people in spontaneous role-playing action. It is therapeutic in the widest sense, providing us with opportunities to investigate and integrate body, mind and spirit, and to connect more deeply with others than we often do in our normal day-to-day life. A fundamental goal of psychodrama is to help us activate and expand our individual and collective spontaneity and creativity.

What is spontaneity in psychodrama?

In psychodrama, being spontaneous is not about acting impulsively or blindly, without thought or consideration for others. Instead, spontaneity is defined in practical terms as being able to create "a new response to an old situation" or "an adequate response to a new situation," where adequate is measured by actions that satisfy both our own needs and those of the persons with whom we interact. Using various active role-playing methods, we have opportunities to practice a variety of responses to a person or situation. We can also experience the impact of our responses on others by stepping into their shoes and feeling the effects of the way we express ourselves or ask for what we need. Through the creative contributions of others who are participating in the role-playing, we receive a wider perspective on our own life.

Trainer Biography:

Herb Propper, Ph.D., T.E.P. is a Trainer Educator Practitioner of Psychodrama, Sociometry and

Group Psychotherapy, certified by the American Board of Examiners. He has 30 years of

experience in the field. He is Director of Celebrations of the Soul Center for Psychodrama,

Sociodrama and Sociometry in Vermont, USA, in private practice as therapist, trainer and

consultant.

Herb is a lifetime member and fellow of the American Societry of Group Psychotherapy and

Psychodrama (ASGPP). He has presented numerous workshops at conferences of the ASGPP

and its affiliated New England chapter.

Since 2003 he has been a lead trainer for the National Therapeutic Theatre Workshops of

Bangladesh, and is also a member of the Bangladesh Therapeutic Theatre Institute.

He has published articles on sociodrama, psychodrama in theater work and role-playing in

education in The British Journal of Psychodrama and Sociodrama, The Journal of Group

Psychotherapy, Psychodrama and Sociometry,and The Internaional Journal of Action Methods.

He has also contributed a chapter on uses of psychodrama in education to Psychodrama in the

21st Century.

B) Five day training on Art Therapy in November- The trainer will be Jen Kristel, Expressive Arts Therapist, Playback Theatre Director/teacher

Participants will learn aspects of Art as Therapy:

Basic history of Art therapy

Integrating different arts as therapy

Methods of assessment

Color symbol

Symbology of imagery

View case studies

The value of art as diagnostic tool

Arts used in different clinical areas, in western culture

Define, assess and develop concept of using the arts as therapy in Indian culture

Experiential work both individually and group oriented.

C) Five day training on Playback theater also in November. The trainer will be Jen Kristel, Expressive Arts Therapist, Playback Theatre Director/teacher

Playback, What Is It?

An audience gathers. After introducing the company, the conductor asks for a story from the audience .A person tells a story about something in their life. The actors receive roles. The musicians begin playing and the action starts. Using theatre improv, movement, sound and spoken word, this person’s story comes alive for all to see. After, the conductor asks “Did that capture the essence? The teller nods and goes back to the audience. A new story is told, and the thread of stories continues as each person in the room, connects to each other and to the shared moments.

The process of Playback is deceivingly simple. At one level, we are playing back a person’s story from his/her life. Yet, the act of creating the safety that allows anyone to tell the story is important, as well as the ability to listen deeply, not so much with our ears, but from our heart to the tellers story, and bear witness to it through the enactment as a way of giving them a gift. As an actor, we receive these stories as a gift, and it is important then to hand back to the individual as well as to the audience as a whole. The conductor holds a presence similar to that of a “shaman,” needing to pay attention to the subtle as well as broad dynamics within the audience as well as the connection between the actors and the audience. There is a balance of art, social awareness and ritual that needs to be present in order for a Playback performance to go well. In Playback as well, one can pay too much attention to any of these areas, and the other areas might lack. As audience members become used to what Playback is about, for many, also become accustomed to the ritual and look forward to it. Many an audience member will come to a performance regularly, because they understand that when they do, there is a basic ritual that they will know- one which includes the ability for them to tell a story of their own, from their own life, and see it enacted.

Playback began over 30 years ago by Jonathan Fox and the original Playback Theatre troupe. It is now done with over 350 companies in 50 countries. Each company, and in each country does Playback in their own way, yet the ritual of Playback remains the same. Whether in a hospital setting, a prison, or an open performance Playback supports people in connecting with eachother through personal story, creating community and supporting people in finding their voices for change, acknowledging their dreams, developing support networks through shared experience.

An evening of Playback can elicit laughter, tears and “ahas” all within a few minutes of each other.

“People need to tell their stories. It’s a basic human imperative. From the telling of our stories comes our sense of identity, our place in the world, and our compass of the world itself.”
-Jo Salas, original member of Playback Theatre

Playback Theatre brings “theatre back from the domain of entertainment to its earlier purpose of preserving memory and holding the tribe together.”
-Jonathan Fox, Founder of Playback Theatre

All the above training will have very limited participants.

Dates will be announced later this month.