Introduction
Manodhaara-REVA Centre for Well-being is a student support service offered by REVA University in Bengaluru. Our mission is to help students to transform themselves to achieve their best physical and mental health through various services that cater to their needs.
At Manodhaara, we understand that students face a variety of challenges that can impact their overall health and well-being, not just their academic and social growth. That's why we take a holistic approach to wellness, focusing on the mind, body, and spirit. Our goal is to help students achieve balance and harmony in their lives so that they can thrive academically and personally.
Currently housed in G-03, Vivekananda Block, the centre is nestled among the engineering and non-engineering schools, easily accessible to the students, but secluded enough to offer them privacy. We are committed to provide a safe and supportive environment, where students feel safe and comfortable seeking help.
At Manodhaara, we believe that well-being is not only about physical health, but also about emotional and psychological health. That's why we offer counselling services to help students cope with stress, anxiety, and other challenges that can impact their mental well-being.
We also understand that seeking help can be challenging, so the services come to you with an assurance that all information shared would be confidential and only by consent. Our goal is to help students develop healthy coping skills, improve relationships and grow to their fullest potential.
Student Services include individual counselling and therapy for individuals, small groups, parents and teachers; talks and workshops are also conducted for large groups by the in-house counsellors. Preliminary assessment for disorders like anxiety, depression, Mood disorders, etc. are done and referred further to the psychiatrist where needed.
The University’s in-house Yoga and Zumba expert works closely with the counselling team using Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation and dance as supportive therapeutic measures. We also have experts from other organizations offering medical and psychiatric services on a referral basis. Manodhaara has partnered with Mind and Brain Hospital, Bangalore, and through this collaboration, we will be offering training, internships and job opportunities for students of psychology, under the guidance of expert neuropsychiatrists, psychologists and special educators. We are in the process of collaborating with other Healthcare organizations like NIMHANS and I-AIM / Transdisciplinary University.
Manodhaara’s focus for the well-being of the students is on enabling them to understand and take charge of their own health. So our approach is holistic as well as preventive. Psycho-education through workshops and talks are conducted throughout the year. Experts from the field of medicine, psychiatry, rehabilitation, nutrition etc., are regularly invited to interact with the students.
The Centre is looking to expand its activities into research, training and outreach programmes not just for the REVA family but to the community at large, and in particular for the benefit of the students of the Government schools that have been adopted by REVA University. Our vision is to create a one-of-its-kind wellness centre that is a one-stop solution to all well-being concerns.
The counsellor helps you to address your problems in a positive way by helping you to clarify the issues, explore options, develop strategies and increase self-awareness.
With M.Sc., M.Phil., and Ph.D. degrees in Psychology, he is presently serving as an Associate Professor-Psychology Department and Director-Student Counselling Centre (Manodhaara) at REVA University, Bangalore, Karnataka. He has over 15+ years of diverse professional experience as an academician, psychologist and researcher. Specialized in child and women mental health, and developmental disabilities. He received a Global Health Equity Scholar fellowship in 2017 from National Institute of Health, USA with lead to post-doctoral research at Florida International University, USA. He has been recognized as a Doctoral Research Supervisor, supervising 6 Ph.D. scholars, published 20 research papers in reputed journals including Nature (Human Behavior), completed 1 funded NIH research project, having 1 ongoing ICSSR research project, authored 3 edited chapters, and have H-index of 9 with a total citation of 446
With M.Sc., in Counselling Psychology, Ms. Carmel Frank is presently working as a Counsellor at Manodhaara. She has 6+ years of experiences working as a Senior Psychologist, Counsellor, and Special Educator with strong expertise in counselling, psychological assessments, special education, training, and mental health awareness. She has worked with organizations such as The Association of People with Disabilities (APD), Christel House India, Stonehill International School, and Montfort College, as well as serving as a lecturer and freelance consultant psychologist. Her professional contributions include developing and implementing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), conducting workshops and capacity-building programs, and supporting families and schools in building inclusive environments. In addition, she has pursued specialized training in Lay Counseling (NIMHANS) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and has conducted research on topics such as internet addiction and teacher well-being. Fluent in English, Tamil, Hindi, and Kannada, Carmel is recognized for her empathetic, optimistic, and committed approach to promoting mental health, education, and inclusion.
With an MSc in Clinical Psychology from Christ University, Bangalore, Ms. Rajnandini Dey is presently working at Manodhaara as a Student Counsellor, Reva University. She has 1+ year of experience working as a psychologist with experience in Counselling, Psychological Assessments and Mental Health awareness. She has worked with organisations like Institute of Neurosciences, Kolkata, Free Bird Psychological Services and Veda Rehabilitation and Wellness, Bangalore, as well as serving as a freelance consultant psychotherapist. She has expertise as a Queer affirmative therapist, has specialisation in Psychopharmacology (Christ University, Bangalore) and has co-authored a paper on exploring Vicarious Traumatisation of Trauma Focused therapists. Her primary interests lay in dealing with Substance use disorders, Anxiety and Mood disorders, Personality disorders and Sexual disorders. She uses an eclectic approach with a trauma focused lens while mainly drawing in from third wave therapies and the psychodynamic school. Fluent in English, Hindi and Bengali, her therapeutic approach is rooted in creating a supportive, non-judgemental space that fosters self-acceptance and facilitates meaningful, holistic and sustainable change.
The counselling centre provides quality mental health interventions that enhance well-being and offer students a more meaningful and successful college experience. Individual and group counselling are available to students who are having difficulty with emotional, behavioural, academic, or adjustment concerns. The counselling process is used to clarify problems, establish realistic goals and develop active short-term treatment solutions.
Manodhaara - REVA Counselling SOP
