SUMMER INTERNSHIP SUMMARY REPORT
Master of Science in Applied Psychology
(Specializing in Clinical Psychology)
SEMESTER III
HOLISTIC MIND THERAPY CLINIC
(Clinical Psychology Trainee)
Submitted by
SAKSHI RAHUL SHAH
SAP ID: 75362300006
Under the Guidance of
Dr. Ruttuja Karkhanis More & Ms. Shruti Shah
Head of Department Chief Psychologist & Founder
(NMIMS, Mumbai) (Holistic Mind Therapy Clinic)
Department of Liberal Arts
JYOTI DALAL SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS, MUMBAI
(Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, NMIMS University)
June 2024 - July 2024
ABOUT HOLISTIC MIND THERAPY
Based in Mumbai, Holistic Mind Therapy (HMT) is a reputable mental health institution
committed to offering comprehensive and customized therapy treatments. HMT, which
specializes in a broad spectrum of mental health issues, addresses emotional, psychological, and
behavioral issues by fusing conventional and modern therapies modalities. The firm employs
clinical psychologists, counselors, and therapists with extensive training to provide evidence-
based treatments targeted at improving general well-being. HMT employs a client-centered
methodology that centers on establishing a nurturing atmosphere to promote individual
development and psychological recovery.
HMT offers thorough counseling and assistance for a wide range of mental health concerns.
Depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, PTSD, Anger Management, and Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD) are a few of them. In order to serve a variety of age groups and life stages, the
organization also specializes in relationship and marriage counseling, grief counseling, geriatric
counseling, menopause counseling, and youth counseling. These services address a wide range of
emotional and psychological difficulties.
To meet each client's specific needs, holistic mind therapy uses a range of evidence-based
therapeutic techniques. To address emotional regulation, cognitive processes, and behavioral
modification, these include Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
(CBT), and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). Gestalt therapy encourages self-
awareness and accountability, and transactional analysis works to enhance interpersonal
dynamics and communication. In addition, the center offers specialty therapies like behavioral
therapy, which lessens destructive tendencies and reinforces beneficial behavior, and trauma-
informed therapy, which is specifically designed for persons who have experienced trauma.
Clients are guaranteed to receive comprehensive, individualized care that is catered to their
unique requirements and concerns thanks to this combination of services and therapy modalities.
VISION AND MISSION OF HOLISTIC MIND THERAPY
HMT’s vision is to establish a culture that values mental well-being on par with physical well-
being. Through the incorporation of holistic methods into traditional therapy, HMT aims to
further psychological science and advance mental health. In order to contribute to a mentally
healthy and vibrant society, the organization sees a world in which people are empowered to
develop emotional resilience, self-awareness, and psychological independence.
The goal of Holistic Mind Therapy is to give individualized therapy interventions that are
customized to meet the specific needs of each client in order to deliver high-quality,
compassionate mental health care. HMT is dedicated to promoting mental health, emotional
stability, and self-sufficiency by utilizing evidence-based therapies like Integrative
Psychotherapy, Mindfulness, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). HMT seeks to give
clients the emotional and psychological support they need to live happy, productive lives free
from the limitations of mental health issues. In order to create a more welcoming and
encouraging environment for everyone, the group also aims to eradicate the stigma attached to
mental health and increase public awareness of it.
WORK ROLE OF THE INTERN AT HOLISTIC MIND THERAPY
As an intern at Holistic Mind Therapy, one engages in in order to hone essential therapeutic
competencies. Understanding the principles of taking a client's history and doing Mental Status
Examinations (MSEs), which are essential for determining the client's psychological state, is one
of one's main responsibilities. On the basis of these evaluations, you also help with the
compilation of thorough customer reports.
The position comprises engaging in and leading role-play client-therapist sessions, allowing you
to imitate real-life therapeutic interactions, gaining hands-on experience in managing sessions,
and understanding client dynamics.
Additionally, interns receive training in the administration, scoring, and interpretation of a
variety of psychological tests, including ones for personality disorders, anxiety, and depression.
This offers insightful information on the diagnostic procedure, and supervision guarantees
learning and accuracy.
Various therapy techniques, such as Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Dialectical
Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Trauma-Informed Therapy,
will be presented to you. Under the guidance of qualified specialists, you will learn to implement
these strategies and contribute to session planning for clients, ensuring that treatment plans are
suited to individual needs.
Additionally, interns assist in organizing and creating session plans, which include defining
therapeutic goals, choosing suitable interventions, and monitoring the advancement of clients. By
developing critical abilities in clinical and administrative domains, this experiential learning
program equips interns for future careers in mental health services.
This all-inclusive job provides exposure to psychological testing, therapeutic practices in
practice, and the moral and professional ramifications of working in a clinical context.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK DONE AT HOLISTIC MIND
THERAPY
In my 6 week internship at HMT, I engaged in several tasks gaining first hand practical
experience in the field. Here is the week wise discussion of my work done at HMT.
Week 1:
During the first week, I focused on learning the fundamentals of history taking and conducting a
Mental Status Examination (MSE). This involved engaging in role plays with fellow interns to
practice these skills and refine my approach. I also learned how to create an initial treatment plan
based on the first client session, which is critical for setting therapeutic goals. Additionally, I was
introduced to venograms, a tool used to visually represent familial relationships and dynamics.
Week 2:
In the second week, the focus shifted towards case formulation, a crucial skill in understanding a
client's mental health condition in detail. I observed two client sessions, which provided insight
into the therapy process, and then engaged in role-playing these sessions with peers and the
psychologist to better understand how to move the session forward. This experience helped me
understand the intricacies of conducting ongoing therapy sessions and the steps involved in client
care.
Week 3:
In the third week, I began learning about Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) as a therapeutic
modality. The psychologist shared various resources on DBT, which helped me understand its
techniques and applications. We engaged in role plays, demonstrating how a DBT session is
structured. Additionally, we started exploring Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), learning its
core principles and practical applications through similar role-playing activities. The
psychologist provided comprehensive resources for CBT, helping us understand its therapeutic
value. During this week, psychological assessments were also introduced.
Week 4:
This week, we focused on administering the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). We
observed an actual assessment of a child with autism and role-played the administration of the
CARS test under the guidance of our trainer. We learned how to score the test and engaged in a
case discussion about the client’s condition. Additionally, we were introduced to the House-Tree-
Person (HTP) assessment. I actively participated in case discussions and scored 3–4 HTP
assessments of different clients, gaining experience in interpretation.
Week 5:
In the fifth week, we learned to administer and score the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory
(MCMI) and Thematic Apperception Test (TAT). We engaged in multiple case discussions and
applied our scoring skills by evaluating eight MCMI and four TAT assessments from various
clients. This allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of personality assessments and the
complexities involved in interpreting projective tests.
Week 6:
In the final week, we expanded our knowledge by learning to administer and score the Adult
ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory
(BDI), and Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). We participated in detailed case
discussions and scored 1–2 assessments for each of these tools from different clients, further
solidifying our assessment and diagnostic skills.
This comprehensive learning experience at HMT provided me with a well-rounded
understanding of various therapeutic modalities, psychological assessments, and client-centered
care approaches, which have been instrumental in developing my skills as an aspiring mental
health professional.
CASE STUDIES FROM THE ORGANIZATION
CASE 1:
Case Overview
The client was a 15-year-old female in 10th grade from a lower-middle-class background,
presenting complaints with extreme anger, violent outbursts, self-harm, and persistent suicidal
thoughts. Additional symptoms included severe anxiety, intrusive negative thoughts, insomnia,
and breathing issues during intense emotional episodes. Her symptoms escalated following her
father’s death three years ago, which triggered unresolved trauma and emotional dysregulation.
She has strained relationships within her family, particularly with her mother and younger sister,
while having a close but conflict-prone bond with her elder sister.
Mental Status Examination (MSE)
The client appeared appropriately dressed with good hygiene but was visibly agitated. Speech
was loud and aggressive. Her mood was marked by anger, irritability, and anxiety, with a labile
and intense affect. Thought processes were negative, paranoid, and rigid, with significant suicidal
ideation. Insight and judgment were notably impaired.
Diagnostic Impressions
• Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
• Schizoid Personality Disorder
• Paranoid Personality Disorder
• Delusional Disorder
Therapeutic Approach
A multi-disciplinary plan includes:
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): To challenge negative thought patterns.
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): For emotional regulation and distress tolerance.
• Trauma-focused therapy: To process grief related to her father’s death.
• Art Therapy: A non-verbal outlet for emotions.
• Mindfulness-Based Interventions: To manage anxiety and anger.
• Family Therapy: To improve communication and reduce familial conflict.
Management and Prognosis
Given the complexity of her case, a combination of psychotherapy, psychiatric intervention, and
lifestyle modifications (exercise, relaxation techniques) is crucial. The prognosis is guarded, with
long-term improvement dependent on therapy engagement and family support.
CASE 2:
Case Overview
The client was a 29-year-old senior software engineer presenting complaints with anxiety,
depression, and perfectionism. The client experienced significant anxiety, particularly work-
related, with symptoms like heavy breathing, racing heart, and fear of failure. Despite
professional success, he felt disillusioned and burdened by unrealistic self-expectations. His
perfectionism, rooted in academic success during school, intensified during college, leading to
feelings of inadequacy and a persistent inferiority complex. A recent breakup exacerbated his
loneliness and low self-esteem, while overworking became his way of seeking validation.
Mental Health History
The client’s anxiety had been episodic, beginning in college and worsening over time. He had a
history of panic attacks but hadn't experienced one recently. He expressed a desire to manage
symptoms through therapy rather than medications.
Mental Status Examination (MSE)
His MSE revealed anxiety, irrational beliefs about failure, and intact cognition. He exhibited
insight into his issues but struggled with emotional regulation.
Diagnostic Impressions
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
• Depressive Disorder
• Elements of Panic Disorder
Treatment Plan
A comprehensive treatment plan included:
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): To challenge irrational beliefs and address
perfectionism.
• Exposure Therapy: To manage his fear of flying.
• Interpersonal Therapy: To improve relationship skills.
• Behavioral Activation: To increase social engagement and elevate mood.
• Mindfulness & Grounding Techniques: To manage overthinking and anxiety.
Lifestyle Modifications
The client was encouraged to incorporate regular exercise, mindfulness practices, and hobbies to
alleviate boredom. Thought records, deep breathing exercises (4-7-8 technique), and positive
affirmations were introduced to enhance self-awareness and reduce anxiety.
Prognosis
With consistent therapy, the prognosis was positive, expecting short-term improvement through
targeted interventions. Regular follow-ups were scheduled to track progress and adjust treatment
as needed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
In my internship at Holistic Mind Therapy, I acquired practical experience throughout various
clinical settings. Gaining a thorough understanding of gathering histories and doing Mental
Status Examinations (MSEs), which are crucial for making diagnoses and creating treatment
programs, was one of the main learning objectives. I was able to practice these strategies in real
time through role-playing sessions with colleagues, which improved my client communication
abilities.
The ability to administer, score, and interpret a variety of psychological tests, including the Yale-
Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS),
Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), Beck Anxiety
Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale
(CARS), was another noteworthy learning outcome. A solid basis for psychological diagnostics
was therefore given.
My understanding of various therapeutic modalities, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy
(DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), as well as how they are used in clinical
settings, has improved as a result of my internship. My therapy technique was improved by
applying theoretical knowledge to simulated client interactions through role plays and case
discussions.
In addition, I gained knowledge on how to create organized sessions, modify therapy in response
to client development, and participate in continuing treatment plans while working under the
direction of certified psychologists. Through these experiences, I was able to improve my clinical
and diagnostic abilities as well as my comprehension of the ethical issues and client
confidentiality in mental health practice.
All things considered, the internship has been a rewarding experience that has greatly increased
my professional competence, giving me the confidence and well-rounded skill set to approach
therapeutic practice.
