FAQs

• An OPD mental health clinic

• We have doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, paediatric physiotherapists, special educators, and more who hold OPD chambers

• Catering to all age groups from children to adults to the elderly

• A place where you book your session, visit for a consultation and then leave

• Only for children or special needs
• A school or centre where children get admitted
• An NGO or a charitable institution

• You are unable to contribute fruitfully in your social, personal, work, and/or family life
• Your feelings are disturbing, overwhelming, or disrupting your daily life
• You are unable to cope in a healthy way
• A particular issue is affecting every aspect of your life in a negative way
• Your issue is consistent for 4-6 consecutive weeks

If you find that you are feeling sad or stressed for at least two weeks at a stretch and that these feelings are causing a disturbance in your daily life, you may need to visit a mental health professional who will confirm whether you have a clinical disorder.

You can reach out to any mental health professional who you have access to, whether it is a counsellor, a psychologist, or a psychiatrist. Please note that psychology is a multidisciplinary field and as per your needs, you might be referred to other professionals within the field.

For example, you visit a psychologist first and after a few sessions, they may refer you to a psychiatrist for medication if needed.

A psychologist:

• is someone who has done their post-graduation in Psychology (MA/MSc/MPhil)
• administers psychometric tests and therapeutic methods (counselling) to treat psychological issues
• can’t prescribe medicines

A psychiatrist:

• can prescribe medication for psychiatric illnesses
• is an MBBS doctor who has specialised in Psychiatry at the postgraduate level (e.g. MD, DPM, DNB or their foreign equivalents)

Counselling is a process of Talk Therapy where any individual, couple, or family meets a trained and certified mental health professional to share their issues and work on developing coping tools with the guidance of their counsellor.

Based on the conversations, the mental health professional may suggest specific psychometric diagnostic tests or different types of therapies.

Based on the severity of the issue, if they think medication along with therapy will help, they may even ask you to visit a psychiatrist.

• Clear guidance from mental health experts to empower you to take action
• Practical tools & tips to make positive changes in your life
• A safe 100% confidential, unbiased, non-judgemental, empathetic environment to talk about your issues/challenges

• Magical or miraculous cures
• Instant fixes in one session
• Overnight feeling of happiness

It depends on the nature, duration and severity of your issue. An important thing to note is that to start counselling is to start a journey of change.

Counselling will only work for those who are actively committed and open to accepting that their current life or certain aspects of their life is not ideal and that they are willing to take charge and change it.

What is the need for psychometric assessments or psychological testing?

Psychological tests are also known as psychometric assessments. They are paper-pencil tests that are used by mental health professionals to get a clear picture regarding a person’s intellectual functioning, personality, emotional state, severity, and to check for psychological disorders.

Depending on the nature, duration and severity of illness, you may or may not be prescribed medication. Psychiatric medication is not addictive in nature. However, just like long–term intake of any medication for physical illnesses (e.g. high blood pressure, diabetes, heart issues) may have an impact on the body, the same is the case with psychiatric medicines.

No, they do not. Psychological therapies are conducted by trained professionals who are well versed in patient care.

It is possible to recover from psychological disorders and resume one’s natural course of life.

Some psychological disorders can be cured with the right combination of psychotherapy and/or medication while some are manageable just like physical lifestyle diseases which are not curable but are only manageable.

As the caregiver of the client, you can visit a psychologist/psychiatrist and discuss the issues of the client.

It is important to mention that the client is unwilling to seek help and then the psychologist/psychiatrist can suggest the future course of action.