Chennai psychology steps up

CHENNAI: Options for psychology graduates in the city take a huge leap as the city-based Centre for Applied Research and Education (CARE) Institute of Behavioural Sciences is set to launch a three-year post graduate programme in Clinical Psychology, approved by the British Psychological Society (BPS). A first-of-its-kind course in India, the programme will be jointly run by the University of Leicester’s School of Psychology.Plans for the course were revealed by Michael Wang, the Sectional Head of Psychology at Leicester, as he inaugurated an international workshop on ‘managing emotional well-being’ at the Kanchi Kamakoti Childs Trust Hospital on Thursday. Wang said, “This is the first time we are bringing the expertise of the British model of clinical psychology to India, specifically to Chennai, and we’re excited about the multi-cultural phenomenon that we believe the programme will be. There are only about five courses in India at the moment that offer a similar qualification, but none with the unique curriculum.” “Though it is called a ‘Doctorate in CP’ it is actually a post-graduate program with intensive research work,” explained Dr RS Virudhagirinathan, Director-CARE. Wang said, “There will be a tripartite approach of teaching, research and clinic work. We firmly believe that the answer lies in reducing drugs and increasing psychological interventions in patients, especially in this country.”The director said that  the course became a reality after seven years of planning and arbitration. “The admission for the course will begin later this month. Any under-graduate in psychology can apply to the course, although we will admit only 10 this year.” Teaching will be handled jointly by the faculty of the UK varsity as well as the regional centre. Besides a mandatory exchange programme, the course is also the quickest way to obtain a membership with the BPS, according to Dr Virudhagirinathan.So now with this course, practicing psychology in the UK might just have become a whole lot easier, without having to actually study there.