Page 35 - Mousumi: Unbelievable Transformation

6) Adult and geriatric counselling:-
A geriatric counselor helps to solve the problem or provide assistance to the
older people of society; their issues are mostly regarding the psychological and
emotional needs due to the ageing process or after retirement.

7) Forensic and criminal psychology:-
Counselling services are provided for forensic treatment to those criminals who
are causing problems within the prison for both reducing the rate of criminal
behaviour and for the admission of guilt by the criminal.

8) Sports psychology:-
Sports counsellor are mainly concerned with the mental functioning and
performance level of an athlete or sportsperson. They develop strategies and
counsel the sportsperson to improve their performance level by coping with
performance anxiety and stress, or fear of failure.

How can one become a counsellor?
A Psychologist completes an Undergraduate Degree for 3 years, then post-
graduation for 2 years, followed by an M.Phil degree for another 2 years,
ultimately leading to the PhD program. Other than that after graduation, an
internship program or vocational course can also help to become a competent
counsellor. But RCI (Rehabilitation Council of India) registration is must to
practise legally as a counsellor. While both psychologists and psychiatrists offer
counselling, psychiatrists can prescribe medication, whereas psychologists
provide only the extra therapeutic therapy.
Expected Income
Average monthly income of a counsellor is around 30,000, but it can increase
around 60,000 to 70,000 with some experience.

Angana Nandy
BSc, Psychology

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