Seminar / Workshop
Workshop on Personality Disorders
Date:10 April 2026
The Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Kristu Jayanti (Deemed to be University), organised a workshop on “Personality Disorders” for IV MSc Psychology (Clinical Specialisation) students on 10 April 2026 from 1:40 p.m. to 5:40 p.m. in H705. The session was conducted by Ms. Anchitha S. L., who served as the resource person for the workshop, and the number of beneficiaries were 12.
The workshop aimed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of personality disorders, focusing on their classification, underlying causes, and treatment approaches. The session began with an introduction to the concept of personality disorders, highlighting how enduring patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaviour can significantly deviate from cultural expectations and impact functioning. Ms. Anchitha elaborated on the three major clusters of personality disorders—Cluster A (odd and eccentric), Cluster B (dramatic, emotional, and erratic), and Cluster C (anxious and fearful). Each cluster was discussed in detail with relevant examples, enabling students to differentiate between the various disorders within each category and understand their characteristic features. The workshop further explored the aetiology of personality disorders, emphasizing the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors. The role of genetic predispositions, early childhood experiences, trauma, and environmental influences in the development of these disorders was discussed in depth, providing a holistic perspective. In addition, the session covered various treatment approaches, including psychotherapy, behavioural interventions, and the role of medication where applicable. Emphasis was placed on evidence-based practices such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, internal family systems (IFS), and the importance of being trauma informed as a therapist.
Overall, the workshop was interactive and engaging, with opportunities for students to ask questions and clarify concepts. It provided valuable insights into the complexity of personality disorders and enhanced students’ understanding of diagnosis and intervention.
Workshop on Influencing Skills and Positive Assest Search
Date:21 February 2026
The Department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti (Deemed to be University), organised an interactive session on 21 February 2026 in A3 Auditorium, 5th Floor, Administrative Block from 11am to 1pm and next session was from 1:40pm to 3:30pm with Mr. Varun Kaul, Senior Psychologist & Trainer serving as the resource person. The workshop was on Influencing Skills and Positive Assest Search.
Mr. Varun Kaul emphasised what the influencing skills are in the first session and gave an insight about positive asset search in the next session. The talk provided valuable practical based knowledge and promoted analytic and reflective thinking among students. The session exposed students to application of skills in a professional setting and gave diverse perspectives on skill oriented techniques.
The interactive session enabled students to clarify doubts and offer a deeper understanding. A total of 206 students attended the programme, which helped in strengthening their confidence towards the subject.
Workshop on Psychosexual Health
Date:25 October 2025
The Department of Psychology at Kristu Jayanti (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, organised an academic Workshop on Psychosexual Health on October 25, 2025, for the III Semester postgraduate students of M.Sc. Psychology, M.Sc. Counselling Psychology, and M.Sc. Clinical Psychology.
The session was conducted by Dr. Pavana S., MBBS, DPM, Consultant Psychiatrist and Managing Director, Akshaya Medical Centre, Vidyaranyapura, Bangalore. The primary objective of the session was to provide students with applied understanding of sexual health concerns and therapeutic communication in clinical contexts through case-based learning.
Dr. Pavana introduced a series of clinical vignettes depicting diverse sexual health scenarios, including issues of intimacy, boundary management, sexual identity, relational dissatisfaction, and post-illness adjustment. Students engaged in guided discussions focusing on assessment, communication, ethical sensitivity, and use of structured models such as the Biopsychosocial framework and PLISSIT model in counselling practice. The discussion also highlighted the importance of professional boundaries, empathy, and reflective practice in handling sensitive client disclosures.
Each vignette encouraged critical analysis and application of theoretical knowledge to real-life counselling situations, enabling students to integrate academic learning with practical insight. The interactive nature of the session fostered collaborative learning and enhanced students’ readiness for professional practice in sexual health counselling.
Overall, the session by Dr. Pavana S. provided a valuable experiential platform for students to develop clinical reasoning, ethical awareness, and confidence in addressing sexual health concerns within psychological practice.
Workshop on Drama Therapy
Date:30 September 2025
The Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Kristu Jayanti (Deemed to be University), organised a Workshop on Drama Therapy on 30th September 2025 at 9:00 AM in M1 Auditorium. The session was exclusively conducted for the final-year M.Sc. Clinical Psychology students.
The workshop was facilitated by Ms. Deepika Murthy, Founder of Alp Viraam, Certified Practitioner, and Professor of Practice at the Department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti (Deemed to be University).
Drama therapy, an expressive therapeutic approach, uses creative enactments, role plays, and improvisations to foster self-expression, insight, and healing. The workshop provided students with hands-on experiences in applying drama-based techniques to psychological practice. Through interactive activities, participants explored themes of emotional awareness, communication, conflict resolution, and personal growth.
The session also highlighted the importance of drama therapy as a supportive tool in clinical practice, particularly in enhancing self-reflection and building coping strategies for clients. A total of 145 beneficiaries actively participated in the workshop and gained valuable experiential learning that complemented their academic training.
The Department of Psychology extends gratitude to Ms. Deepika Murthy for conducting this enriching session that broadened the clinical skill set of the students.
National Seminar on Third Wave Psychotherapy: Innovation in Mental Health Intervention
Date:26 August 2025
The Department of Psychology at Kristu Jayanti (Deemed to be University) organized a National Seminar on Third-Wave Psychotherapy: Innovations in Mental Health Interventions on August 26, 2025, at the SKE Auditorium in hybrid mode, drawing over 275 participants from 69 universities across 21 states. The seminar was inaugurated by Rev. Dr. Augustine George, Vice Chancellor In Charge, Kristu Jayanti (Deemed to be University). He emphasized the institution’s commitment to promoting mental health awareness and academic excellence during the inaugural function. The keynote address was delivered by the Chief Guest, Dr. Naveen Grover, Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, from Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), New Delhi, who emphasized on psychotherapy's evolution, mindfulness, acceptance, and culturally sensitive approaches to issues like student addiction. The session explored psychotherapy's rewards, challenges, empathy, self-care, supervision, emotional regulation, declining clinical oversight, and resilience. Plenary Session I by Dr. Devvarta Kumar, Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, NIMHANS, covered Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) as a transdiagnostic tool, discussing metacognitions, Cognitive Attentional Syndrome, and techniques like detached mindfulness for anxiety, phobias, and depression. Plenary Session II by Dr. Nithya Hariya Mohan, Assistant Professor, Chengalpattu Medical College and Hospital, Tamil Nadu, detailed Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as an integrative trauma therapy, covering the AIP model, bilateral stimulation, eight-phase protocol, and tools like SUD and VoC scales, with a demonstration.
A panel discussion was moderated by Ms. Soumya Simon, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti (Deemed to be University). The Panelists included Mr. Anil V. Iyer, Counsellor & Psychotherapist, Bengaluru, Dr. Sritha Sandon, Assistant Professor, Christ (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, and Dr. Elizabeth Daniel, Associate Professor, Montfort College, Bengaluru. Mr. Anil V. Iyer highlighted the use of DBT, MBCT, CFT, and ACT in such contexts, stressing how these approaches encourage cognitive flexibility, small step-by-step changes, and mindfulness practices to improve well-being and work performance. Dr. Sritha Sandon spoke on the three waves of psychotherapy, highlighting third-wave's process-oriented, experiential methods like ACT and DBT for acceptance and psychological flexibility. Dr. Elizabeth Daniel discussed about age-specific challenges, ethical boundaries, and evidence-based adaptations for children and adolescents.
The event concluded with a workshop by Fr. Dr. Rajeev J Michael, Assistant Professor, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences on Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), involving experiential exercises in body scans and breath awareness to foster resilience, emotional regulation, stress reduction, and applications for conditions like ADHD, promoting compassion and quality of life.
The national seminar advanced innovative and compassionate mental health practices through interactive Q&A sessions and mementos for speakers, offering balanced insights into clinical psychology's opportunities and demands.
