On June 19, 2024, RCI announced new guidelines for the B.Sc. Clinical Psychology (Hons) course, allowing graduates to obtain a Counseling Psychologist license. This decision has since sparked debate within the psychological community. The course holds a 60% practical approach with 40% theoretical. After this course, students will be awarded a license of “Counselling Psychologists” having their unique CRR no. This course ought to be a highly standardized course that gets approval for its running only through the Rehabilitation Council of India.
Professionals qualified from this course will perform basic assessments and evidence-based interventional strategies. Their services will be available to any mental health centre, government medical colleges, health centres, rehabilitation centres, community outreach, early intervention and special education centres. Any student who has passed the 12th class with science stream can pursue this full-time and regular course having a total of 200 credit points. The tutorials will be taken care of by qualified clinical psychologists. Each centre can have a maximum intake capacity of 30.
Why have the new guidelines become a topic of discussion?
The new guidelines by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) allow B.Sc. Clinical Psychology (Hons.) graduates to use the title “Counseling Psychologist.” This recent development by the RCI has raised debates and concerns within the psychological community. The program does
aim to prepare graduates to provide counselling services to individuals and families with mental health problems, however, the implications of this decision may prove to be detrimental to the field of psychology in India. A press note released by the Bharatiya Counselling Psychology Association highlights the many pitfalls of such a decision in the Field of Psychology.
Disintegration of Professional Standards
One of the primary concerns with the new RCI guidelines is the disintegration of professional standards. The difference between counselling psychology and clinical psychology is not just in its connotation. Instead both the fields follow different training programs, theoretical orientations as well as professional standards. Counselling psychologists are trained to focus on personal growth, human potential, and a holistic approach to well-being, while clinical psychologists are primarily concerned with diagnosing and treating mental disorders.
By not adhering to professional boundaries, there is a potential risk of abolishing the uniqueness in the knowledge and skills of both disciplines. This disintegration could lead to a decline in the quality of care provided to the clients since there may be a lack of specific expertise as professionals. The high academic and practice standards set by the RCI, NEP 2020 and UGC could be undermined, thus compromising the overall standard of mental health services.
Compromised Client Care and Safety
Clients seeking psychological services place immense trust in their providers, assuming that their qualifications accurately reflect their expertise. The new guidelines could lead to situations where individuals trained as clinical psychologists present themselves as counselling psychologists without the appropriate training. This misalignment can result in ineffective treatment, worsening of conditions, and a general mistrust of psychological services.
If clients receive care that is not aligned with their specific needs, it could lead to ineffective interventions and a deterioration of their mental health. Over time, this could lead to a systemic failure where the public no longer feels confident in seeking help from mental health professionals.
Ethical and Legal Consequences
Ethics form a solid foundation of psychological practice. Accurate representation of one’s qualifications and areas of expertise is a fundamental ethical obligation. Allowing clinical psychologists to use the title of counselling psychologists can lead to ethical breaches, where professionals operate outside their scope of practice. This not only jeopardizes client well-being but also exposes practitioners to legal liabilities.
The potential for increased malpractice cases is another important concern that needs to be addressed. Misinterpretation of qualifications and expertise can lead to legal challenges and strain an already burdened legal and healthcare system. To maintain society’s trust as well as
the integrity of the field, it is essential for professionals to adhere to the ethical standards.
Devaluation of Specialized Training
Counselling psychology, as a distinct specialization, requires dedicated training programs that emphasize specific therapeutic techniques, theoretical orientations, and client engagement strategies. When clinical psychology graduates are allowed to adopt the title without this specialized training, it devalues the rigorous educational pathways that counselling psychologists undergo.
This devaluation can discourage prospective students from pursuing dedicated counselling psychology programs, leading to a shortage of qualified professionals in the field. The specialized training that counselling psychologists receive is essential to address the unique needs of their clients. Any suspension of this training undermines the quality of care provided.
Impact on Professional Identity and Development
Clear professional identities are crucial for the development and growth of any discipline. When titles and roles are scrambled, it hampers the ability of professionals to advocate for their field. This confusion can restrain innovation and progress within both counselling and clinical
psychology. This could affect the evolution of effective therapeutic practices and interventions. The professional identity of counselling psychologists is based on a distinct philosophical stance that recognises the strengths and resources of individuals at all levels of psychological functioning. Blurring the lines between counselling and clinical psychology can hinder the development of a coherent professional identity as well as the growth of the field.
International Repercussions
Globally, the fields of counselling and clinical psychology are recognized as distinct, with well-established training programs and professional standards. By deviating from these international norms, the Indian psychological community risks isolating itself and undermining its credibility on the global stage. This can have far-reaching consequences, including reduced opportunities for collaboration, research, and professional exchange with international peers.
Aligning with international standards ensures that Indian professionals can indulge meaningfully with the global psychological community. This can benefit the community owing to the shared knowledge and advancements in the field.
In conclusion, the decision to allow B.Sc. Clinical Psychology (Hons.) graduates to use the title ‘Counseling Psychologist’ has significant limitations which could deteriorate our psychological system in India. We must maintain clear distinctions between these specializations to preserve the integrity, quality, and trust in psychological services. By doing so, we can ensure that our clients receive the best possible care, our professionals adhere to the highest ethical standards, and our field continues to grow and evolve in a positive direction.
Read More: Clinical Psychology: Know About the Career and Other Guidance in it
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