WORKSHOP TITLE: Understanding and utilizing cultural elements in the practice of Psychotherapy: a practical approach
Chairpersons: Dr Vijoy K Varma (USA), Dr Marcel Westerlund (United KIngdom and Sweden), Dr Sameer Malhotra (India)
Topics/subtitles (incl. names of speakers):
1) Cultural differences influencing the practice of Psychotherapy : Prof. Vijoy K Varma (USA)
2) Psychotherapy and Geetopdesha: practical approach : Dr Sameer Malhotra (India)
3) Treating anxiety disorders by inducing altered states of consciousness through hypnotherapy: Dr Marcel Westerlund (United Kingdom)
ABSTRACT:
Mythology and cultural heritage has a lot to offer. Revisiting scriptures and trying to understand the insights gained in the past era can add on to the knowledge and skills used in the practice of Psychotherapy. In todays fast pace life and age of globalization, utilizing such knowledge, insights and skills shall indeed be quite useful, both for personal growth and that of the patient. Today the challenge lies in inclusion, merging the cultural knowledge with current psychotherapeutic skills. 'Geetopdesha', is also referred to as 'Geeta', the Holy Book of the Hindus, that incl. the preachings and guidance of Lord Krishna (an incarnation of the Administrator God Vishnu) to Arjun on the battlefield. It incorporates the philosophy of life and death, body and never ending soul, cognitive psychotherapy, 'Karma' philosophy emphasizing on one's duties and responsibilities.
Patients from different parts of the world can benefit from such insights and concepts that help in conflict resolution, enhancing motivation, self realization, increasing tolerance and acceptance thus aiding in reducing human suffering. The workshop shall have three eminent speakers with interests in the field of trans-cultural psychiatry and practice of psychotherapy.
Dr Sameer Malhotra
I wish to submit a workshop proposal on cultural aspects of Psychotherapy, incorporating elements from 'Geetopdesha' which I feel shall be of practical use in managing anxieties and phobias, fear of death, care of the terminally ill and grief work. It shall help in understanding certain traditional methods of care in light of newer psychotherapeutic techniques. Combining the relevant traditional approaches with the newer techniques is indeed a challenge in todays clinical practice of mental health professionals.
BRIEF OUTLINE OF CV:
Dr Sameer Malhotra obtained professional degrees (MBBS, MD-Psychiatry) from the prestigious universities and institutes of the country. Following his post-graduation (MD) at PGI (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research), Chandigarh, he has worked as a Consultant in the Dept. of Psychiatry and De-addiction Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, AIIMS, Delhi and as Consultant Psychiatrist in the National Health Service, United Kingdom. He also holds Certification in teaching from Post Graduate Deanery of Kent, Surrey and Sussex, United Kingdom. He now Heads the Division of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at Fortis Hospital. He has worked in the field of Psychiatry at clinical, academic teaching and research levels and has contributed number of articles in leading national and international scientific journals, book chapters for post graduate psychiatry, WHO manuals and edited books and has served as Investigator in WHO, Min. of Health and Family Welfare and international collaborative studies/projects. He has interests in transcultural psychiatry, hypnotherapy and psychotherapies. He has served as guide and examiner for Postgraduate thesis in Psychiatry and provided supervision and lectured for postgraduate students-MD (Psychiatry), MRCPsych students (UK), and medical students from India, UK and US, nursing students (India, UK) and psychology students (Delhi University and Amity University). He has contributed chapters on Child and Adolescent mental health issues. His work in the field of mental health has been recognized through national and international awards incl. GC Boral II award (Indian Association for Social Psychiatry, World Psychiatric Association member Society); Global network awards for tobacco drug de-addiction research, Spain and Italy; World Psychiatric Association fellowship, Florence, Italy; Sir Donald Cohen Fellowship of the International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Germany; World Psychiatric Association fellowship, Prague. He has been awarded membership of the prestigious National Academy of Medical Sciences for contributions in the field of mental health. He has served as an Executive Council member of Indian Association for Social Psychiatry- World Psychiatric Association member society, Indian Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Delhi Psychiatric Society, World Association of Young Psychiatrists. He is in the National Advisory Board of the Indian Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health. He serves on the Editorial committee of Delhi Psychiatry Journal, review panel of the Journal of Indian Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Expert professional Panel for India Today Woman Magazine for mental health and relationship issues and also contributed regular column for little big bridge (newspaper for children) answering queries and addressing concerns of children pertaining to mental health. He has been actively involved in delivering lectures and counseling, incl. help lines, on mental health issues across diverse population groups, holding interactive sessions and stress management workshops for organizations and educational institutes, schools focusing on anger control, anxiety management, enhancing focus and coping skills, confidence building, healthy interactions and professionalism, personality development, management of drug/alcohol/tobacco abuse, sex education, healthy lifestyles, mental health promotion, early identification and management of diverse psychiatric and psycho-somatic problems. He is on the counseling panel for child and adolescent health in some Govt. and Public schools. He has recently served as an Expert professional in the Committee formed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India to look into the issues of drug/alcohol use in the campus w.r.t ragging. He has clinical interests in medical and psychotherapeutic management of psychiatric as well as alcohol/tobacco/drug use problems across diverse population groups across age range (child-adolescent-adult-geriatric) and shares interests in counseling, psychoanalysis, dream work, cognitive behaviour therapy, medical hypnosis and neurolinguistic programming. He is frequently invited as an expert in the field of mental health covering national and international news events and mental health problems/issues.
