REGISTERED AS PER SOCIETIES REGISTRATION
ACT OF XXI OF 1860
REG. NO. 2021 GBBSD 432/21

Our Motto:

One Profession, One Council

Psychologists Collective is an association of practising psychologists in the state of Maharashtra. The need to form this association was felt as a response to the introduction of National Commission of Allied and Healthcare Professionals Bill (NCAHPB), 2020 in Rajya Sabha of Indian Parliament in September 2020.

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About us

Psychologists Collective is an association of practising psychologists in the state of Maharashtra. The need to form this association was felt as a response to the introduction of National Commission of Allied and Healthcare Professionals Bill (NCAHPB), 2020 in Rajya Sabha of Indian Parliament in September 2020. The bill aims to bring an integrated regulatory Act which shall inter-alia include maintenance of standards of education and services given by the Allied and Healthcare Professionals. Psychology has been included under the heading of Behavioural health Science Professionals which is misleading, ambiguous and could have serious ramifications on mental well-being of public.

Aims of the Association

  • To facilitate reforms in mental health policies and legislations in order to clearly define and protect the title of practicing psychologists.
  • Formation of a separate council to govern all psychology professionals in India.
  • Increase awareness about mental health policy and legislation issues amongst the stakeholders including the general public.
  • To advise in the matters of educational qualifications and standards of practice of psychology practitioners in India, with respect to global standards.
  • To intervene in matters of relevance that impact practicing psychologists in the future

Objectives
of the Association

  • Demand for removal of term psychologists from the nomenclature of ‘Behavioural Health Science Professionals’ and ask that a separate item in the ‘Schedule’ be specifically defined for Psychologists, thereby also defining its sub-fields under NCAHPB, 2020.
  • Demand for psychologists to have a separate professional council under the provisions given in NCAHPB, 2020.
  • Emphasising on adequate representations of psychologists in the centre and state commissions of NCAHPB, 2020.
  • Integrate Clinical Psychology along with all other psychology sub-fields in the NCAHPB, 2020.

Vision

To position psychologists as important stakeholders in the decisions, policy making and implementation of various mental health programs in the country while promoting quality services, standards of proficiency and research in psychology.

Mission

To facilitate reforms in mental health policies and legislations.
To advise in the matters of minimum standards of educational qualifications and standards for practice of psychology in India, with respect to global standards.
To work for creating awareness about mental health policy and legislation issues amongst the stakeholders including the general public.

Psychologists Collective is an association of practising psychologists in the state of Maharashtra. The need to form this association was felt as a response to the introduction of National Commission of Allied and Healthcare Professionals Bill (NCAHPB), 2020 in Rajya Sabha of Indian Parliament in September 2020.

Join Us

Our Team

Founder Members

Rupa Chaubal

President

Samindara Sawant

Vice President

Manali Ranadive

Secretary

Johann Thomas

Treasurer

Kaneenica Ninawe

Executive Council Member

Neha Bhansali

Executive Council Member

Swapnil Pange

Executive Council Member

Mansee Gupte

Executive Council Member

Ms. Rupa Chaubal

President 

  • M.A. Counseling Psychology, University of Mumbai
  • M. A. Clinical Psychology,  SNDT University
  • MPhil in Clinical & Counseling practices, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (Presently pursuing)
  • Trained EMDR practitioner
  • Total work experience of 20yrs
  • Private practice

Ms. Samindara Sawant

Vice President

  • M.A. Clinical Psychology, University of Mumbai
  • Ph.D. Scholar, JJT University
  • Trained & Certified in: REBT, CBT, Family Therapy, Regression Therapy
  • Currently Pursuing: PG Diploma in Trauma Focused Therapy, Tata Institute of Social Sciences
  • Total Work Experience: 23 Years
  • Founder-Director, Disha Counseling Center
  • Resource Room Head, Bhaktivedanta Swami Mission School
  • Sr. Psychometrician, Psychometrica.com

Ms. Manali Ranadive

Secretary 

  • M. A. Clinical Psychology, SNDT University
  • Ph.D. Scholar, NFSU Gandhinagar  (Criminal Psychology)
  • Trained in Couple and family Therapy, Queer Affirmative Counseling Practice, Animal Assisted Therapy, CBT, Graphology.
  • Total work experience : 12 years
  • Clinical Psychologist at AIIMS, Nagpur
  • Founder, Senior Psychologist at Mana:Sparsh Counseling Center, Wardha

Mr. Johann Thomas

Treasurer  

  • M. A. in Clinical Psychology (Mumbai University)
  • Diploma in Yoga (Mumbai University)
  • Practicing privately since July 2002.

Dr. Kaneenica Ninawe

Executive Council Members  

  • M.A. Clinical Psychology, SNDT, Churchgate, Mumbai
  • Ph.D. Tata Institute of Social Sciences,  Mumbai
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling Psychology,  Prafulta Centre for Psychological Wellness, Mumbai
  • Trained in: REBT, CBT, Integral Somatic Psychotherapy
  • Working as Clinical Psychologist,  KEM Hospital, Mumbai
  • Total Work Experience: 14 Years

Ms. Neha Bhansali

Executive Council Members  

  • M.A. Clinical Psychology, University of Mumbai
  • Faculty, PG Department of Psychology , Maniben Nanavati Women’s College since 2011
  • Trained in CBT , Arts Based Therapy ,Applied Buddhist Psychology ,  Master Trainer Life Skills from Indian Association of Life Skills Education
  • Pursuing PhD from Department of Applied Psychology, University of Mumbai
  • Private Practice since 2009
  • Years of Experience- 14 years

Mr. Swapnil Pange

Executive Council Members  

  • M.A. Clinical Psychology, University of Mumbai,
  • Consultant Psychologist at IPH thane and private Practice
  • Trained in RECBT. Practicing since 2010

Ms. Mansee Gupte

Executive Council Members  

 

ABOUT
OUR
MOVEMENT

  • The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professionals Act came into existence on 28th March 2021 and came into force on 25th May 2021.
  • The Bill seeks to regulate and standardize the education and practice of allied & healthcare professionals in India.
  • This move is really a need of the hour, considering the healthcare situation in India.
  • However, there are several problems with all three Acts that govern Psychologists in India. The Rehabilitation Council of India Act (RCI Act, 1992), Mental Healthcare Act (MHA, 2017) and NCAHPC Act (2021), directly impact us – psychologists. We are seeking concrete legal remedies to the issues involved in these acts.

OBJECTIVES

OF THE MOVEMENT

  • To review and change the current, narrowly defined title of Clinical Psychologist, as given in the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 and include the Post Graduates with a Full time Masters Degree in Psychology with a specialization in Clinical Psychology, from a UGC recognized university.
  • Changing the focus of MHA from mental illness to mental wellness, by adding the definition of Mental Health
  • To advocate for a separate schedule for Psychologists under the NCAHP Act, 2021
  • To define the title of Psychologist within the NCAHP Act, 2021.
  • Creating a separate statutory council for Psychologists under the NCAHP Act, 2021.
  • To integrate Clinical Psychology practitioners under the NCAHP along with the other subspecialities of Psychology.

AIMS

OF THE MOVEMENT

  • Practitioner’s of Clinical Psychology in states with or without RCI recognized institutions, will be able to practice without discrimination
  • A separate schedule for Psychologists under the NCAHP Act, will make us eligible for a separate council
  • By defining the title and qualification of ‘Psychologist’, we will be able to keep malpractices in check.
  • A separate statutory council will help to integrate all sub-specialities of Psychology while ensuring adequate representation of Psychologists at the national as well as state level – a council of Psychology for Psychologists, by Psychologists.
  • All Psychology professionals can be governed by a single act, if Clinical Psychologists are integrated with other sub-specialities, under the NCAHP Act, 2021, as opposed to three separate acts presently governing Psychologists in India.