Survey of counselling psychologists in India

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the practice of counselling psychology and the characteristics of counselling psychologists in India in order to address the lack of empirical research on this population. Sixty-five participants, who self-identified as counselling psychologists, were recruited from various parts of India and administered a 56-item survey. Results showed our participants to be comprised of a relatively new and largely inexperienced workforce with inconsistent levels and types of specialty training in counselling psychology. The vast majority of sampled Indian counselling psychologists practiced without a license. Most focused on treatment using individual counselling as their preferred treatment modality and noted career counselling as central to the profession. Participants reported a dire need for programme accreditation and unified licensure for counselling psychologists. They further cited a lack of practical training and limited public awareness as current challenges for the field in India. Comparisons between counselling psychology in India and other countries were made to better contextualize the results and differentiate the field in India.