Professional Competency as a Counseling Psychologist at Indian Institute of Science: I feel privileged as an academician with 30 years of Academic Experience with

the students of different age group to work as a Counselor at the prestigious institute, IISc. My academic background encompassing the Research Degrees and the experience in the domain have been useful in helping the students to manage the academic pressures productively. The academic experience and the long association with the students, helps in understanding the issues from students perspective and offer suggestive solutions in compliance with the expectations of the Professors and the Research Culture of IISc. The professional competency in Psychology and Education with specialization in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotional Behavior Therapy (REBT), Guidance and counseling with more than 2000 hours of Counseling Experience help in effective handling of the academic and personal distress in students. The seven years of my association with the institute has helped me to understand the psychological issues and the academic pressures of the students in the institute from students perspective. The interaction with your good self, the chairman of CCS and some of the senior professors has helped me to develop a deeper understanding of the HR issues of the institute and in addressing the students issues objectively. This has enabled me to transfer logical reasoning and effective coping skills to the students during Individual and Group Counseling sessions. The periodical referrals from the Health centre speaks about the confidence and the faith reposed in the counseling service rendered. Acute depressions and other Neurological dysfunctions like Bipolar or schizophrenia that are seen from the behavior and the way the affected persons communicate and behave are being referred to medical professionals with information to the concerned Supervisor, the Chairman and the parents too through the authorities. Since Health Centre is equipped with a consultant Psychiatrist, referrals can be made either to him or outside with the knowledge of CMO or the doctor on duty at the Health Centre in future. So far the choice has been given to the students to take in-house help or to consult outside In all such cases follow up psychological counseling is desirable to avoid recurrence. I look forward to fruitful association with the support of higher authorities of the Institute in the coming years.