The Department of Clinical Psychology is an independent department at Central Institute of Psychiatry. The department works in the area of patient care, teaching, research, resource development and community service. The department was envisioned in the year 1922 when a separate block for psychological assessment and management was constructed in the hospital. It is the oldest independent Department of Clinical Psychology in India. The Department of Clinical Psychology officially started in 1949 and it happens to have the first Clinical Psychology laboratory in the country. Psychoanalysis was used as a method of treating Personality Disorders and use of habit formation charts were in vogue since 1924. Over years, the department has achieved various milestones in the field of teaching, training, research and clinical services.
- Establishment of Behavior therapy room in 1950’s
- Start of Diploma in Medical and Social Psychology in 1962 which was later named as M. Phil in Medical and Social Psychology and currently called as M. Phil in Clinical Psychology
- Start of Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in 1972
- Initiation of Suicide prevention Helpline and Suicide Prevention Clinic in 2013
Departmental activities
The department conducts weekly academic exercises for the students of Clinical Psychology. These academic programs include departmental seminars, psychotherapy meetings and regular classes for M. Phil & Ph.D. students as well as for students of other disciplines such as Psychiatry, Psychiatric Social Work and Psychiatric Nursing. These classes are based on curriculum of the course and includes teaching with the use of audio-visual materials. The trainees are required to present and participate in departmental case conferences, seminars and journal clubs.
Training Research
The clinical training includes working with patients in in-patient and out-patient settings. Training is given to develop competency in diverse psychological assessments and psycho-therapies. The trainees receive one-on-one supervision from faculty with respect to patient care, psychological assessments and psychotherapies. The trainees undergo rotation in various specialties to get an exposure to specialty areas in Clinical Psychology. They are also required to submit a dissertation on a research topic under a Guide during which they receive exposure to clinical research. The trainees are also encouraged to participate in various workshops, training and conferences to enhance their skills.
Clinical services
The department provides clinical services to patients referred from different wards of the institute as well as caters to the out patients at the dedicated Psycho-social Unit. The services include psycho-diagnostic assessment, neuropsychological assessment, psychoeducation, various modes of psychotherapy & rehabilitation. The department also extends its services to the community by being part of the School Mental Health Program run at the community Extension Clinics at West Bokaro & Hazaribagh.
Clinical Psychology Laboratory
Presently, the laboratory provides facilities for conducting experiments, psychological testing and qualitative research. The laboratory enables students to carryout computer based experiments and social experiments. The laboratory is well stacked with various tests for assessment of cognitive functions, personality, and other domains of human behavior. In the last few years some of the new additions to its tools have been the Cambridge Automated Test Battery (CANTAB), Computerized WCST, Computerized Rorschach interpretation, POSIT Science software for Neuro-Rehabilitation, WISC-IV India &WAIS-IV India. The details of the commonly available tools & apparatus are as follows:
| Apparatus and tools | Names |
|---|---|
| Neuropsychological testing | Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological battery, WCST, Raven’s Progressive Matrices |
| Personality assessment | MCMI-III, ,TAT, 16PF, Holtzman inkblot test, NEO-MPQ, DMI, Rorschach Inkblot Test |
| Psycho-diagnostic assessment | MMPI-II, Dyslexia screening test, AAMR Adaptive behavior scale, Facial recognition test, Make a Picture Story |
| Scale & checklists | Rotter’s Locus of control scale, PGI Health questionnaire, IPAT Neuroticism Scale |
| Apparatus & tools for aid in testing | WCST software, CANTAB software, Reaction time apparatus, sex therapy apparatus |
| Apparatus & tools for aid in therapy | Biofeedback, Neuro-feedback, Brain Posit science fitness program & driving program, tool for aversion therapy |
Psycho social Unit
The aim of this unit is to target individuals with psychological and social problems. The clients can directly visit the unit for consultation. The unit also receives referrals from the patients visiting the out-patient department. The services offered are counseling, psychotherapy and psycho-diagnostics. The major problem areas that are focused are Childhood depression, Learning problems, Autism, Mental retardation, Suicide, Dementia, Anxiety Disorders, Epilepsy, Headache, Family problems, Substances use, Sexual disorders and many more. The unit also has two special clinics dedicated to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) every Wednesday & Suicide Prevention every Saturday.
Internship Program
The department conduct internship program for masters students in Psychology. This is for information that we only entertain application from the head of dept of various universities. All communications are made to the Head of departments. Information of completion of internship will be communicated to the head. We have limited seats and admission to all applicants is not guaranteed.
