The Techniques of Psychotherapy course is a hands-on, skill-oriented training designed to help postgraduate psychology students, trainees, and practitioners develop practical competence in conducting psychotherapy across different approaches.

This course bridges the gap between theory and real-world clinical work — demonstrating how therapeutic concepts translate into techniques that promote change.

Learners will observe live demonstrations, simulated sessions, case-based discussions, and complete guided practice exercises to internalize core therapeutic micro-skills.

🧩 Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the foundational principles and stages of psychotherapy.
2. Demonstrate proficiency in therapeutic micro-skills — such as empathy, reflection, summarizing, and confrontation.
3. Apply evidence-based techniques from major modalities — CBT, Psychodynamic, Humanistic, and Integrative.
4. Formulate treatment goals, structure therapy sessions, and evaluate client progress.
5. Handle resistance, transference, and emotional crises in therapy ethically and confidently.

📚 Detailed Course Modules

Module 1: Introduction to Psychotherapy

• Nature and goals of psychotherapy
• Types of therapies (individual, couple, group)
• The therapeutic relationship: empathy, alliance, and trust-building
• Core conditions of therapy (Carl Rogers’ model)

Module 2: Therapeutic Communication & Micro-Skills

• Attending, observing, and responding skills
• Reflection, summarization, paraphrasing
• Non-verbal communication & therapist presence
• Managing silence, resistance, and emotional outbursts

Practical Component:

Simulated counselling sessions with supervision feedback

Module 3: Cognitive and Behavioral Techniques

• Identifying automatic thoughts & core beliefs
• Cognitive restructuring and Socratic questioning
• Behavioural activation, exposure hierarchy, and relaxation training
• Case formulation using the CBT model

Practical Component:

Thought record exercise, designing behavioural experiments

Module 4: Psychodynamic and Insight-Oriented Techniques

• Unconscious processes, defense mechanisms, and resistance
• Free association and interpretation
• Transference and countertransference handling
• Termination in long-term therapy

Practical Component:

Case illustration of psychodynamic formulation

Module 5: Humanistic and Experiential Techniques

• Gestalt therapy techniques (empty chair, two-chair dialogue)
• Existential themes: freedom, meaning, isolation, authenticity
• Emotion-focused therapy (EFT) basics
• Mindfulness and acceptance in therapy

Practical Component:

Guided practice on empathy enhancement & mindfulness sessions

Module 6: Integrative and Multicultural Approaches

• Blending approaches (Eclectic/Integrative models)
• Cultural sensitivity and adapting techniques to Indian context
• Case conceptualization from multiple perspectives
• Ethics, supervision, and therapist self-care

Practical Component:

Case presentations integrating multiple models

Module 7: Case Formulation, Documentation & Evaluation

• Writing therapy notes and progress reports
• Monitoring client outcomes
• Termination, relapse prevention, and follow-up plans

🧭 Teaching Methodology

• Interactive lectures & discussions
• Demonstration videos (with real or simulated cases)
• Role-play practice with supervision
• Case formulation and presentation assignments
• Live Q&A and reflective exercises

🪶 Assessment & Certification

• Attendance (minimum 75%)
• Submission of 2 case formulations
• Participation in supervision sessions
• Final reflection / short viva

Participants who successfully complete all modules will receive a “Certificate in Techniques of Psychotherapy” from eClinicalPsychologist.

🌟 Why You Should Join

✅ Bridges theory and clinical reality: Learn not just what therapy is, but how to do it.

✅ Hands-on skill training: Real-time role-plays and feedback to build therapeutic confidence.

✅ Multi-approach exposure: Gain techniques from CBT, Psychodynamic, Humanistic, and Integrative models.

✅ Supervision-based learning: Learn under the guidance of experienced clinical psychologists.

✅ Career enhancement: Strengthen your profile for M.Phil admissions, internship placements, or private practice.

💬 Ideal For

• PG Psychology Students (M.A./M.Sc.)
• M.Phil / PsyD Aspirants
• Counsellors and Mental Health Professionals
• Practitioners wishing to refresh or expand their therapy toolkit