Alumni Engagement Event – “Classroom to Clinic: The Journey to Becoming a Therapist”

The Department of Clinical Psychology at St. Agnes Centre for Postgraduate Studies and Research organized an alumni engagement session titled “Classroom to Clinic: The Journey to Becoming a Therapist” on 12 March 2025 at 6:30 PM. The session was conducted virtually via Google Meet, aimed to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional clinical practice, offering students valuable insights into the transition from being a psychology student to a practicing therapist. The event was attended by approximately 45 participants, including faculty members and students from the M.Sc. Clinical Psychology and M.Sc. Psychology departments.

The session commenced with a warm welcome by Ms. Ashwini K A, Head of the Department, Department of clinical psychology followed by an introduction of the speaker by Ms. Sandra Joshy, 2nd year Msc clinical psychology. The invited speaker, Ms. Sreelakshmi Edavana Santhosh, a distinguished clinical psychologist. In session she shared her journey from being a student at St. Agnes college to the profession, Clinical Psychologist. She elaborated on how her education, training, and internships at St. Agnes shaped her skills and prepared her for professional practice.

During her talk, Ms. Sreelakshmi discussed the essential skills required to transition from academia to clinical practice, emphasizing self-awarenessand evidence-based interventions like ACT. She addressed key aspects of therapy, including trauma-focused and trauma-informed therapy, drawing from both theoretical knowledge and her personal experiences with trauma. Additionally, she provided valuable insights on career pathways,

The session was interactive, with participants raising important queries related to therapy. She also clarified common doubts regarding therapeutic approaches, particularly in trauma-related interventions, and provided practical guidance for students aspiring to enter the field.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Sr. Mary Theres, 2nd year Msc Clinical Psychology, expressing gratitude to the speaker, organizers, and participants for their contributions. The session officially ended at 7:45 PM, leaving attendees with valuable insights and inspiration to navigate their professional journeys in clinical psychology.