Introduction
ICHARS Support Foundation is a non-profit arm of ICHARS, Institute of Clinical Hypnosis And Related Sciences, focusing on promoting the mental health CASE – “Bringing about Change through Awareness, Support, and Education.” Our work is based on the belief that by raising public awareness, educating communities, and equipping every person with the right tools, we can foster optimal mental health.
We have weekly Support Groups, namely: The talk it out Support Group, a safe space for people to vent out their emotions, and the Psychologist Support Group, a peer learning space where practitioners from the field of Psychology meet every week and have case discussions, share tips, and techniques with the fellow members of the group.
ICHARS Support Foundation has also initiated “The VisitMHP challenge”, an initiative that focuses on requesting people to seek help for better mental health before it’s too late.
INTERNSHIPS
60 hrs internship/ Eclectic Approach to Psychotherapy:
60 hrs internship/ Eclectic Approach to Psychotherapy:
A free 60-hour (6 weeks) online internship program on conceptual understanding of the eclectic approach to psychotherapy program is offered monthly for psychology students and aspiring practitioners. As a part of this online internship program, the interns understand the concepts of 50+ techniques to address any presenting problems by clients. This is a self-paced internship program with pre-recorded videos and a weekly live Q&A discussion with the lead mentor, the CEO and Founder of ICHARS – Mr.Nitin Shah. 25 interns successfully completed this internship program.
Program – Free online internship to a conceptual understanding of the eclectic approach to psychotherapy
No of interns – 25 interns between the period of 1st December 2024 to 15th January 2024.
Duration – 60-hour internship program (i.e., for six weeks). We have new batches that are commenced during the first week of every month.
Collaboration with Rotary Club of Bombay Seacoast.
- Heartbeats and Headspace – Mental Health Awareness Workshop
Date: 26th November 24
Venue: SIES Sion East
The inaugural session of Heartbeats and Headspace, a mental health awareness initiative, was successfully conducted in collaboration with the Rotaract Club of SIES Sion East, the ICHARS Support Foundation, and the Rotary Club of Bombay Seacoast. Held with an audience of 80 enthusiastic participants, the event was graced by the presence of distinguished guests, including Rtn. Sankara Ramnath, President of Rotary Club of Bombay Mulund Valley, and Mrs. Misba Shah, First Lady of the Rotary Club of Bombay Seacoast, whose support added immense value to the initiative. The workshop aimed to raise awareness about mental health, foster open discussions, and create a safe space for learning and sharing. The active participation and energy of the attendees made it a truly inspiring experience. We are deeply grateful to our esteemed guests, the participants, and the Rotaract Club of SIES Sion East for their support and collaboration in making this event a success. This remarkable beginning motivates us to continue with impactful initiatives under Heartbeats and Headspace, fostering a culture of mental health awareness and support in our communities.
2. Empowering Future Psychologists:
Venue: NL COLLEGE
Our flagship initiative, Samagra, is making remarkable strides in collaboration with the Rotaract Club of Lotus College of Optometry and the ICHARS Support Foundation. This program, designed to foster the development of practical skills among Psychology Master’s students, has already set a strong foundation for impactful mental health support.
The project began with an intensive 16-hour training program completed by 17 dedicated participants, focusing on equipping them with the skills to address emotional challenges effectively. The momentum continues with a 120-hour internship program, offering hands-on experience and opportunities to create meaningful change in real-world settings. To further enhance their abilities, online practice sessions have been scheduled, ensuring participants gain confidence and proficiency in their skills.
As we move forward, preparations are underway for the much-anticipated Certificate Distribution Ceremony, celebrating the participants’ dedication and achievements.
Together, through Samagra, we are not only empowering the next generation of psychologists but also contributing to the future of mental health support with impactful and sustainable initiatives.
3. Project Unnati – Empowering the Transgender Community:
Venue : Trans Cafe (Andheri west)
Project Unnati is a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to empowering transgender individuals by training them as certified life coaches. In its first phase, participants received foundational training in essential skills such as effective communication and mentorship, laying the groundwork for their journey as impactful coaches.
The program will now move into its next phase, where participants will engage in practice sessions to refine their skills and build confidence. This approach not only equips them for sustainable careers but also ensures they can create meaningful change within their communities.
A key highlight of Project Unnati is its multiplier model, where each trained coach will go on to mentor 10 individuals, amplifying the program’s impact and fostering empowerment and inclusivity across the community. Through this initiative, we aim to create a ripple effect of growth and support, driving sustainable change and breaking barriers for the transgender community.
VISIT MHP
Introduction:
Visit MHP is an initiative to Spread awareness about the importance of visiting a mental health practitioner even before reaching the stage of disorders and offer Peer Support to Practitioners with free training programs, structured mentorship & a lot more.
- Support group Case discussions
We, as an institute, strongly believe that our role as a trainer does not end when the training session ends. Often, practitioners need help with certain clients, and to help our trained professionals on that front, we have case discussion meetings twice every month.
This platform enables our students to get in touch with us, discuss the various cases they have been handling, and clarify the
Topic – Case discussions (doubts and session flow details clarified for coaches & therapists who seek help with their ongoing cases)
Conducted By: Mr. Nitin Shah
Beneficiary – Practicing psychologists and coaches
No of participants – 15 participants
No. of sessions – 1
Date – 10th December 2024
Duration – 1 – 1 & half hours (monthly one session
- Talk it out:
“Talk It Out” is an innovative initiative launched in collaboration with ICHARS designed to empower psychologists by fostering emotionally and financially fulfilling careers. Through this program, participants engage in peer learning and support communities, enabling them to share experiences, collaborate on challenges, and exchange best practices. “Talk It Out” creates a dynamic environment where mental health professionals can thrive both personally and professionally.
Topic – Work Life Imbalance.
Conducted By: Jyoti Gujaran
Beneficiary – Practicing psychologists
No of participants – 10 Participants
No. of sessions – 1 (per month)
Date- 5th December 2024
Duration – 1 hours (monthly one session)
- Technique Workshop:
The “Technique Workshop,” developed in collaboration with ICHARS, offers psychologists an intensive training experience focused on advanced therapeutic techniques. This workshop provides hands-on learning opportunities, expert guidance, and interactive sessions to enhance participants’ skills. By integrating cutting-edge methods into their practice, psychologists can deliver more effective treatments and achieve better client outcomes, thereby advancing their professional capabilities.
1. Topic – Abstract Metaphor
Conducted By: Uma Maheswari
Beneficiary – Practicing psychologists
No of participants – 8 Participants
No. of sessions – 1
Date- 21st December 2024
Duration – 1 hours
2. Topic – Revelation Metaphor
Conducted By: Ranjan Mohapatra
Beneficiary – Practicing psychologists
No of participants – 8 Participants
No. of sessions – 1
Date- 4th January 2025
Duration – 1 hours
- Traits for becoming effective and ethical MHP:
“Traits for Becoming an Effective and Ethical MHP” is a comprehensive webinar series developed in collaboration with ICHARS. This series focuses on the core qualities essential for excellence in mental health practice, including empathy, integrity, cultural competence, and maintaining professional boundaries. Through a sequence of interactive sessions and expert-led discussions, participants will explore how to integrate these traits into their professional lives. Join us to enhance your effectiveness, uphold ethical standards, and improve your client care through this enlightening series.
Topic – Flexibility: The adaptive trait enhancing client- centered care
Conducted By: Vedangi Singh
Beneficiary – Practicing psychologists
No of participants – 10 Participants
No. of sessions – 1 (per month)
Date- 17th December 2024
Duration – 1 hours
- Scaling your practice:
“Scaling Practice,” an initiative in collaboration with ICHARS, is dedicated to helping psychologists expand their practices sustainably and successfully. This program provides strategic insights, business development tools to assist mental health professionals in growing their client base, optimizing their services, and increasing their financial stability. “Scaling Practice” empowers psychologists to build robust, thriving practices that make a significant impact in the field of mental health.
Topic – Expanding your services: Adding group therapy or workshops
Conducted By: Sakshi Sood
Beneficiary – Practicing psychologists
No of participants – 10 Participants
No. of sessions – 1
Date- 19th December 2024
Duration – 1 hours
In partnership with CareerNaksha, who serve as our collaborator course providers for career counseling, we host bi-weekly YouTube live sessions.
These sessions take place on both, their platform and the ISF platform, as part of the VisitMHP initiative, every other Wednesday
1. Topic – Opportunities after 12th
Platform: ISF youtube channel
Conducted By: Rahul Dasondi
Beneficiary – Practicing psychologists and psychology students
Date- 11th December 2024
Duration – 1 hours