GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2355
TO BE ANSWERED ON 6
TH
DECEMBER, 2016
APPROVAL FOR PSYCHOTHERAPY AND OTHER COURSES
2355. SHRI HUSAIN DALWAI:
Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) how many UGC approved Universities in India offer courses in psychotherapy, psychoanalysis,
counselling and counselling psychology;
(b) whether these courses are different from psychiatry and clinical psychology, if so, how;
(c) whether it is a fact that Rehabilitation Council of India only approves courses in clinical psychology
and psychiatry and not psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, counselling and counselling psychology courses,
if so, the reasons therefor; and
(d) whether in the Mental Healthcare Bill, 2016 only clinical psychologists and psychiatrists have been
recognized and not other mental health professionals, if so, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)
(a): The University Grants Commission has informed that 41 universities in India offered courses in
psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, counselling and counselling psychology in 2014-15. The list of such
Universities is annexed.
(b): The subjects like Psychosocial Foundations of Behavior, Biological Foundations of Behavior,
Psychopathology, Psychiatry, Psychological Assessments, Psychotherapy and Counseling, Behavioral
Medicine, Statistics and Research Methodology and Psychological Therapies are included in the course
curriculum of Clinical Psychology. Similarly, Psychotherapies like Cognitive therapy, behaviour
therapy, interpersonal therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, family therapy, couples therapy, group
therapy and other psychotherapeutic techniques form part of the MD Psychiatry and Diploma in
Psychological Medicine course curriculum.
(c): As per the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) Act, 1992, RCI recognizes qualifications for
rehabilitation professionals granted by any University or other Institutions in India including, inter-alia,
qualification for Clinical Psychology. The Post Graduate qualifications in Psychiatry namely MD
Psychiatry and Diploma in Psychological Medicine are recognized by the Medical Council of India.
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