The Department of Clinical Psychology

Introduction – The Department of Clinical Psychology is among the first few departments to be established at PRAYAAS and has been providing IQ assessment & counseling services for the last 23 years and more to outpatients from all over the India and abroad. The vision of the department is to be one of the best centers in the area of disability. It has qualified, dedicated and experienced staff whose mission is to improve the health & quality of life of children through excellence in patient care, research & innovation. Our core values are enabling mentorship, child friendliness, good team spirit, good governance etc. A very focused & coordinated approach is adopted to manage children with special needs.

Psychotherapies for Children and Adolescents provided in PRAYAAS

Psychotherapy involves therapeutic conversations and interactions between a therapist and a child or family. It can help children and families understand and resolve problems, modify behavior, and make positive changes in their lives. There are several types of psychotherapy that involve different approaches, techniques and interventions. At times, a combination of different psychotherapy approaches may be helpful. In some cases a combination of medication with psychotherapy may be more effective.

Different Types of Psychotherapy

• Cognitive Behavior Therapy: CBT helps improve a child’s moods, anxiety and behavior by examining confused or distorted patterns of thinking. During CBT, a child learns to identify harmful thought patterns. The therapist then helps the child replace this thinking with thoughts that result in more appropriate feelings and behaviors. It is effective in treating a variety of conditions, including depression and anxiety. Specialized forms of CBT have also been developed to help children cope with post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy: (DBT) can be used to treat older adolescents who have chronic suicidal feelings/thoughts, engage in intentionally self-harmful behaviors or have Borderline Personality Disorder.
• Family Therapy focuses on helping the family function in more positive and constructive ways by exploring patterns of communication and providing support and education. Family therapy sessions can include the child or adolescent along with parents, siblings, and grandparents.
• Play Therapy involves the use of toys, blocks, dolls, puppets, drawings and games to help the child recognize, identify, and verbalize feelings. The psychotherapist observes how the child uses play materials and identifies themes or patterns to understand the child’s problems. Through a combination of talk and play the child has an opportunity to better understand and manage their conflicts, feelings, and behavior.
• There are many different types of group therapy (e.g. psychodynamic, social skills, substance abuse, multi-family, parent support, etc.). Psychodynamic Psychotherapy emphasizes understanding the issues that motivate and influence a child’s behavior, thoughts, and feelings. It can help identify a child’s typical behavior patterns, defenses, and responses to inner conflicts and struggles.
• Psychotherapy is not a quick fix or an easy answer. It is a complex and rich process that, over time, can reduce symptoms, provide insight, and improve a child or adolescent’s functioning and quality of life.
• Intelligence quotient testing, Social Quotient testing and developmental quotient testing is performed / administered and children to assess their potential and develop a plan of intervention and psychotherapy.

PSYCHOLOGICAL TEST USED