SRM INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY

INTERNSHIP REPORT

SUBJECT CODE: USY23P01L

SUBMITTED BY

POOJA

REGISTER NUMBER

RA2431015040033

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
JULY 2025
 CERTIFICATE

POOJA (Register Number: RA2331015040033) is a Second-year B.Sc. Psychology student at

SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Faculty of Science and Humanities. This

document is an internship report with Subject Code USY23P01L, completed during the

semester and submitted in July 2025.

(Faculty)
 TABLE OF CONTENT

CHAPTER SECTION PAGE NO

1. INTRODUCTION 00

2. OBJECTIVES OF THE INTERNSHIP 00

3. DESCRIPTION OF THE ORGANIZATION 00

4. INTERNSHIP ACTIVITIES 00

5. CONCEPTS AND THEORIES 00

6. 00
CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED

7. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS 00

REFLECTION AND SELF-EVALUATION

8. 00

CONCLUSION
9. 00
INTRODUCTION
Area of Internship

This internship was conducted in the domain of Clinical and Counselling Psychology, with
emphasis on psychological assessment, counselling, and mental health wellness.

Organizational Setting
The internship took place at Cittashukra, a private mental wellness centre located in Kilpauk,
Chennai. Cittashukra conducts both in-person and online counselling, offering services aimed
at promoting psychological well-being, crisis intervention, and psychoeducation Scope of

Internship Role

Psychological assessment and intake: Participated in initial client sessions to

understand issues, emotions, and referral contexts.

Counselling sessions: Assisted therapists during individual and group sessions

addressing stress management, relationship concerns, and supportive psychotherapy.

Data documentation: Maintained session notes, client feedback, and progress tracking
under supervision.

Rationale for Placement

This centre was selected to develop skills in counselling practice both offline and online,
understand client-focused service delivery, and gain experience in modern psychological
support systems.

Intake assessments: Conducted structured interviews with clients to understand their

presenting concerns, mental health history, and personal strengths.

Therapeutic support: Assisted and observed individual and group therapy sessions,
drawing on approaches such as CBT, supportive counselling, and psycho education.

Clinical documentation: Prepared and maintained progress notes, session summaries,

and client feedback logs, aiding continuity of care.

Inter professional exposure: Engaged with senior psychologists and psychiatrists in

multidisciplinary discussions on treatment planning and referral options.
1.1Reasons for Choosing the Area

1. Apply Classroom Theory to Real Clients

As a psychology student, I wanted to bridge the gap between academic concepts and real-world
practice. Engaging with clients at Cittashukra allowed me to translate theoretical knowledge—
such as assessment frameworks and CBT techniques—into actual counseling interactions

2. Skill Development & Professional Growth

Interning in a clinical-counseling setting offered structured exposure to assessments, treatment

planning, and therapeutic communication under expert supervision. This environment
accelerated my development of critical clinical skills, confidence, and professional identity

3. Discovering Professional Niche

The hybrid model of in-person and online counseling enabled me to explore both traditional
therapy and psychopathology. This helped me understand what I find most fulfilling—whether
it’s direct client contact or virtual mental health service delivery .

4. Exposure to Evidence-Based Practices & Supervision

Cittashukra’s commitment to using structured approaches—like CBT, supportive counseling,

and psychoeducation—aligned with my goal of practicing contemporary, research-backed
therapy. Weekly supervision ensured that I learned the latest methods responsibly

5. Interdisciplinary & Ethical Practice

Working at a wellness centre allowed me to collaborate in multidisciplinary settings, liaising

with senior psychologists and even psychiatrists. This exposure reinforced the importance of
ethics, confidentiality, and a holistic approach rooted in compassion and respect .

6. Build Confidence through Direct Client Engagement

Engaging directly with clients in a supervised environment at Cittashukra helped me overcome

initial anxieties about real-world practice. Such experiences are known to significantly enhance
self-assurance, preparing trainees for independent client work. Interns gain this confidence
because they start with smaller caseloads and receive continuous feedback, strengthening their
therapeutic abilities step-by-step.
2. OBJECTIVES OF THE INTERNSHIP

2.1 Personal Learning Goals

Apply Theoretical Knowledge to Real Client Work

Specific & Measurable: Conduct at least 10 intake assessments and administer two
standardized psychological tools under supervision.

Achievable & Relevant: Builds directly on coursework in clinical assessment, bridging theory
to practice.

Time-Bound: Complete by week 12 of internship.

This aligns with the aim of integrating classroom theory with clinical tasks to foster clinical
skill competences.

Develop Professional Self-Awareness & Reflective Practice

Maintain a weekly reflective journal examining emotional responses, ethical dilemmas, and
therapeutic challenges.

Review entries monthly with my supervisor to cultivate reflective learning

Reflective practice supports introspection, self-care, and professional identity development .

Enhance Interpersonal & Communication Competencies

Facilitate a minimum of five co-led counseling or psycho educational group sessions.

Solicit verbal and written feedback on skills such as rapport-building, active listening, and
client clarity.

Effective communication—verbal, nonverbal, and written—is fundamental to professional

psychological practice.
 2.2 Academic Objectives

1. Strengthen Clinical Assessment & Diagnostic Competence

Objective: Administer at least two standardized psychological assessments (e.g., Beck

Anxiety Inventory, MSE) and integrate results into diagnostic formulations.

Academic Rationale: Reinforces foundational knowledge in test administration,

interpretation, and case conceptualization within evidence-based clinical practice.

2. Integrate Theory and Research into Practice

Objective: Review and apply empirical literature to inform assessment selection and
treatment design for at least one client case.

Academic Rationale: Ensures interns function as scientifically-minded practitioners,

bridging research and clinical intervention..

3. Cultivate Multicultural Sensitivity & Ethical Competence

Objective: Work with clients from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic
backgrounds, and critically reflect on how cultural factors influence therapy.

Academic Rationale: Academically supports the development of cultural competence,

ensuring ethical and tailored psychological care .

4. Develop Interdisciplinary Communication & Collaboration

Objective: Participate in at least three multidisciplinary case discussions, articulating

assessment findings and treatment recommendations in team meetings.

Academic Rationale: Aligns with training goals to enhance consultation, liaison, and
communication skills across professionals

5. Advance in Reflective Learning & Research Literacy

Objective: Maintain a fortnightly reflection log on academic-practical integration,

supervision feedback, and research-informed insights; share summaries in supervision.
 3. DESCRIPTION OF THE ORGANIZATION

3.1 Organization's Mission and Values

Mission

The name Cittashukra, derived from Sanskrit, literally signifies “purity of the mind” and the
awakening of inner consciousness

Its core mission is to help individuals unlock their full potential and “become the new you”,
through tailored guidance and holistic counselling services aimed at mental wellness and
personal growth

Core Values

Based on the information and context provided, the values that define Cittashukra’s practice
include:

Client-Centered, Collaborative Counseling

Counseling at Cittashukra is described as a mutual, respectful partnership, focused on assisting

individuals in problem-solving without advice-giving, moralizing, or judgment .

Empowerment & Lifestyle-Oriented Change

Emphasizes helping clients make decisions, effect changes in behavior, and build emotional
resilience—a core principle inspired by Carl Rogers’ client-centered approach

Holistic & Issue-Specific Approach

Offers targeted services across various life domains—grief, relationships, adolescence,

substance use, and personality development—demonstrating commitment to tailoring therapy to
each client's specific needs .

Respect, Dignity & Non-Judgment

Holds space for clients without influencing their values or beliefs, offering a safe, non-
stigmatizing environment where emotional exploration is possible
 3.2 Services Provided

In-Person Counseling & Therapeutic Programs

At their Kilpauk center, they deliver face-to-face counseling for issues such as anxiety, stress,
relationship difficulties, and life transitions. Sessions may include Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy (CBT), supportive counseling, and psychoeducation, tailored to individual needs.

Intake and Psychological Assessment

Clients undergo structured intake interviews that explore presenting problems, mental health
history, and personal background. Interns learn to administer tools like mental status
examinations (MSEs) and standardized inventories under supervision.

Psychoeducational Workshops

To complement counseling, Cittashukra occasionally offers thematic workshops (e.g., stress

management, emotional resilience) aimed at psychoeducation and skill-building in small group
formats.

Career Counseling & Guidance

Though not the primary service, Kilpauk hosts career counseling providers—such as
SouthGiant Career Solutions and EduMilestones—offering psychometric assessments, career
planning, and educational guidance. Interacting with these teams broadened perspectives on
vocational counseling.

Referrals & Multidisciplinary Linkages

Cittashukra maintains referral relationships with nearby clinical-psychiatry services, such as

Apollo, IMH Kilpauk, and The Mind Care Center. These partnerships enable integrated care for
clients requiring medical assessment or specialized interventions.

Crisis Intervention and Support

Online services cater to immediate intervention needs in acute or crisis situations.

The model supports rapid outreach to clients regardless of location

3.3 Client Population

Age Range

Served clients across all life stages: children, adolescents, adults, and older adults—a diverse
demographic exposure.

Common Presenting Concerns

Mood-related issues: depression, dysthymia, bipolar spectrum conditions

Anxiety and stress: GAD, panic attacks, phobias, work- and academic-related stress

Behavioral and developmental: ADHD, conduct issues, emotional dysregulation

Addiction and compulsion: including substance misuse, OCD, self-harm behaviors

Interpersonal conflicts: relationship distress, family disputes, separation and divorce

Trauma and psychotic presentations: trauma-related symptoms, schizophrenia, severe mental-

health crises

Special Focus Areas

Women’s mental health: addressing perinatal concerns and gendered stress factors

Life transitions & grief: coping with loss, career changes, adolescence, relocation

Personal growth support: self-esteem, assertiveness, resilience, and coping skills

Mode of Service Delivery

Individual therapy: one-on-one CBT, supportive counseling, REBT, mindfulness practices

Crisis intervention: immediate support for acute distress, suicidal thoughts, and self-harm risks

Group psycho education: workshops on stress management, communication, and emotional

well-being

Cultural & Economic Diversity

Clients hailed from varied linguistic (Tamil and non-Tamil), socioeconomic, and educational
backgrounds, reflecting the heterogeneous urban-suburban population of Chennai.
3.4 Intervention Approaches used

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Core techniques: cognitive restructuring, thought challenging, exposure, behaviour activation.

Used for anxiety, depression, OCD, and stress-related issues .

Person-Centered (Client-Centered) Counseling

Grounded in empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuine collaboration.

Facilitates client growth in a non-directive, supportive environment

Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT)

Focuses on identifying, disputing, and changing irrational beliefs through active techniques

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

Empowers clients to resolve ambivalence, especially effective in behaviour change and

substance-use issues.

Adaptable to brief and group formats.

Integrative Therapy

Combines elements from various modalities (e.g., CBT + person-centered) based on client
needs.

Reflects an eclectic, flexible approach to intervention .

Behavioural Interventions & Exposure Techniques

Includes systematic desensitization and in vivo exposure for phobias and anxiety disorders

Mindfulness-Based Interventions & Meditation

Teaches clients to observe thoughts nonjudgmental, promoting presence and stress reduction

Psycho education & Problem-Solving Skills

Educates clients on mental health and enhances cognitive coping and decision-making
skills Compassion-Focused Techniques (CFT) [Optional]

Helps clients work with self-criticism and shame, enhancing their capacity for self-compassion

How These Were Applied at Cittashukra

CBT: Used in structured sessions to help clients challenge unhelpful thoughts and gradually
face fears (e.g., via exposure).
Person-Centered Counselling: Formed the foundation for rapport-building and setting a safe
therapeutic climate.

Integrative Approach: Therapists customized tools—drawing on CBT, REBT, mindfulness,

and MI—based on individual client needs.

Motivational Interviewing: Employed in cases requiring behaviour change (e.g., smoking,

stress management).

Psycho education & Mindfulness: Regular in-session resources and techniques aimed at
fostering self-awareness and resilience.

Behavioural Exposure: Incorporated relaxation techniques like PMR alongside graded

exposure.

Optional Compassion Techniques: Introduced for clients dealing with high self-criticism and
shame.
4. INTERNSHIP ACTIVITIES

4.1 Case Reports/ Intervention Reports

Any two detailed case or intervention reports

4.2 Specific Tasks
4.3 Psychological Techniques/Theories Applied
4.4 Your Experience with Client Interactions (maintaining confidentiality)
5. CONCEPTS AND THEORIES IN PRACTICE

5.1 Relevant Psychological Theories Observed

5.2 Application of Classroom Knowledge
5.3 New Concepts Learned
6. CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED

6.1 Difficulties Encountered

6.2 Strategies Used to Overcome Challenges
6.3 Personal Growth from Challenges
7. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

7.1 Ethical Guidelines Followed

7.2 Confidentiality Measures
7.3 Ethical Dilemmas Encountered (if any)
8. REFLECTION AND SELF-EVALUATION

8.1 Personal Strengths Discovered

8.2 Areas for Improvement
8.3 Career Goals Clarification
9. CONCLUSION

9.1 Overall Learning Experience

9.2 Relevance to Future Career in Psychology
9.3 Recommendations for Future Interns
REFERENCE