Study of

PRAFULTA PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES

BySakshi Rastogi Karan Sheth Nikhar Agarwal Niyati Motee Somil Shah Jineshva Doshi

IBS, Mumbai 10th August, 2011

A Report On

The Study of PRAFULTA PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES

BySakshi Rastogi Karan Sheth Nikhar Agarwal Niyati Motee Somil Shah Jineshva Doshi

Approved by PROF RAJNI ANAND

IBS, Mumbai 10th August, 2011

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We wish to express particular appreciation to Ms. Serah Mathew, a psychologist who provided us the detailed information about the organisation. We are extremely grateful to Prof Rajni Anand for giving us the opportunity to work on this project.

Table of Contents
Table of contents Acknowledgement.. i Abstract.iii 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Introduction..1 Discussion.2 Conclusion & Recommendation...4 Appendix...5 List of References....6 Bibliography.7 Glossary.8

Abstract
We chose to study about Prafulta as the number of orphans in our country is rapidly increasing. This is harming the future of our country. By providing employment we can deal with such issues. The aim of Prafulta is provide quality psychological and psychiatric services, to help individuals, groups and families move towards optimal, independent functioning and improving their quality of life. They also address a wide range of psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, stress, phobias, traumas, sexual problems & boundary violations, inability to function in life and other difficulties.

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Introduction
Prafulta Psychological Services (a Don Bosco project) was initiated in the year 1998. It is a set up of the Salesians of Don Bosco, an organization that works with the children and youth, though now there is an equal focus on adults also. It promotes emotional intelligence and offers a whole host of psychological services like assessment and diagnosis, professional counselling, career guidance, remedial education, psychological evaluation, psychiatric services, occupational therapy, workshops for academic and emotional issues. Dominic Savio Educational Complex is a Don Bosco Institution run by the Salesians of Don Bosco, an International Organization with its main headquarters in Rome, Italy. St. Dominic Savio Boys' Home is a 'Home Away from Home', and caters to youngsters who are orphans, semi-orphans and those from broken families and difficult situations. Dominic Savio Educational Complex also conducts the Evening Study Classes for disadvantaged children and youngsters from the surrounding neighbourhood. These classes are totally free and are taken care of by generous benefactors and well wishers. The purpose of this research was to analyse the methods of training given to the kids & adults who are a part of this organisation. To serve this purpose, we interacted with a few people who were a part of the organisation. We also interviewed the trainers in different fields like professional counselling & psychological evaluation. The main problem which we faced during the research was that we were able to visit only one centre which was located in Andheri East. Prafulta has three branches in Bombay but we could get information about the services only from one branch.

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Discussion
Prafulta offers Individual, Group and Family counselling to facilitate those who require assistance to cope with and successfully resolve the problems they face in everyday life. We help people to manage anger, deal with stress at work, handle relationships and lead meaningful lives. They also address a wide range of psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, stress, phobias, traumas, sexual problems & boundary violations, inability to function in life and other difficulties. The Counsellors also deal with issues of parenting and problems of children and adolescents like a teenagers' conflict with parents, acceptance and handling the emotional issues related to hyperactivity and academic difficulties. Along with individual Counselling, they also have Special Groups catering to needs of women facing mid life crisis issues; adolescents having issues with authority and groups interested in personal growth. Our centre also offers work discussion and supervision facilities for counsellors practicing in the field. They have experienced psychotherapists who have training in varied systems like Somatic Therapy, Person Centred Therapy, Psychoanalysis, AMR, Cognitive Behaviourial Therapy and Marital Counselling. Their Integrated Education Section comprises Occupational Therapy and Special Needs Section. Occupational Therapy is given to individuals with motor dysfunction, difficulty with muscle tone, balance and perceptual deficits. In the Occupational Therapy section Prafulta offers Pediatric Occupational Therapy services at the centre as also outreach services at schools. They undertake : Assessment Assessment is carried out to gauge the motor development and perceptual integration required for writing, reading and activities of daily living. Occupational Therapy Therapy is undertaken to develop age appropriate self care skills, refinement of

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sensory discrimination and processing, development of muscle tone, balance and motor skills. Treatment includes: Play-based Sensory Integrative and Neuro-development Therapy Perceptual Enrichment Program (PEP) Handwriting Without Tears Their qualified and experienced therapists are committed to helping children grow and fully develop their perceptual learning path and normal functioning.

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Recommendations & Conclusions

The teaching techniques used are more in the form of practical work. They try to develop innovative ways which not only help the students study well but also teach and gain a lot more. We would personally recommend that teachings & counselling given to the orphans should be based more on the lifestyle of the society and also the role they would be expected to play. When we interacted with the students and trainers we felt that the studies and teachings offered should be upgraded and made more interesting. We also recommended the teachers make the sessions with the students more interactive for the purpose of personality development of the students.

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Appendix

Questionnaire 1. 2. 3. 4. What services do you offer? In which other states do you wish to expand? What age groups do you cater to? Do you organise special events such as sports events etc for the children who are a part of Prafulta? 5. Do you take initiatives of organising outdoor trips?

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List of References
1. Web http://prafultaandheri.blogspot.com/search/label/About%20Us 2. Personal Interview with Ms. Sereh Mathew 3. Informal interaction with students & teachers

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Bibliography
1. Tara L. Kuther, The Psychology Major

Index
1. Orphan- A child whose parents are dead 2. Psychology- The study of the soul or mind 3. Psychiatry- Medical specialty devoted to the study and treatment of mental disorders 4. Therapy- Treatment intended to relieve or heal a disorder

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