Sophia College for Women
(Empowered Autonomous)
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Senior College

PSYCHOLOGY

Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes, based on research and the evidence gathered from observation, measurement and experimentation. It differs from the ‘pop psych’found in self-help books, graphology, numerology, and astrology which also try to explain and predict behaviour and offer solutions to problems. Psychologists focus on describing, understanding, explaining, predicting and modifying behaviour and mental processes as well as on helping people understand themselves and others, so that they bring about change and improve the quality of life for themselves as well as those around them. Psychology is one of the fastest growing disciplines with developments in information technology, artificial intelligence, brain imaging, molecular biology and neuroscience making it even more multidisciplinary, challenging, and exciting.

About the Department 

Psychology has been offered as a specialisation at Sophia College since 1976 and is one of the most popular subjects offered at the degree level. To enhance student learning, regular lectures and interactive discussions are supplemented with guest lectures, power point presentations, debates, peer learning, films, videos and documentaries, field visits and placements, student presentations, mini research projects, workshops, intercollegiate participation at the local and national level, research collaborations with NGOs.

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Dr. (Sr.) Patricia D’Souza
Qualification: Ph.D. (Psychology), M.A. Clinical Psychology
Designation: Head of the Department, Assistant Professor

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Areas of expertise and research interest: Women’s/feminist perspective, Women & Leadership. Women’s Empowerment, REBT Developmental issues in the Indian context, Spirituality and mental health.

Ms. Teetash Singhal
Qualification: MSc. in Clinical Psychology
Designation: Assistant Professor
 

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Areas of expertise and research interest: therapeutic community methodology as treatment for persons diagnosed with mental illness, psychodynamic and relational psychotherapy, and the psychosocial determinants of mental health.

Ms. Simi Susan Shibu
Qualification: M.A. Psychology (Clinical), Post Graduate Diploma in Arts Based Therapy (PGDABT)
Designation: Assistant Professor

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Areas of Expertise and Research Interest: Children of Trauma, Children experiencing Behavioral Deficits, Young adults, Women as well as Sexual Minorities; handling mainly cases of Depression and Anxiety. Her M.A dissertation thesis is on Psychological Well-being, Perceived Discrimination and Spirituality among Transwomen and Bisexual Women.

Additional/Past Work: Apart from serving as a Lecturer at Sophia, Simi was associated with Bookwallah Organisation as their Research and Development Manager (R & D) for the last three years. She has been a Practicing Psychologist and Counsellor since three+ years, in her private practice, Therapeutic Dwelling, along with her mother.

Ms. Malvika Dixit
Qualification: M.A. Psychology (Counselling)
Designation: Assistant Professor

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Areas of Expertise and Research Interest: Adolescents and young adults. Her M.A. dissertation was on Perceived Stress and Resilience in Adolescents from an Air Force Family and Adolescents from a Civilian Family.

Additional/Past Work: Along with working as a lecturer at Sophia, she works with Fettle Counselling providing therapy online, for the past two years. 

Mihikaa Chaturvedi
Qualification: M.A - Applied Psychology
Designation: Full-time Lecturer (2019-2020)

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Areas of Expertise and Research Interest: Child counselling and women’s issues

Additional/Past Work: She has worked as a Teaching Assistant at the Department of

Applied Psychology & Counselling Centre, University of Mumbai.

Ms. Misbah Bhombal 
Qualifications: M. A. Psychology (Clinical)
Designation: Full-time Lecturer (2020-2021)

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Areas of Interest: Psychology

Ms. Ahana Sharma
Qualifications: M. A. Psychology (Counseling) 
Designation: Full-time Lecturer (2020- 2022)

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Areas of Expertise and Research Interest: Gender Based Violence, Adult Children of Narcissistic Parents, Suicidality, Trauma Informed Care, Women's Issues, Behaviour Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Person-Centered Approach.

Additional/Past Work: In addition to being a lecturer of Psychology at the undergraduate and Postgraduate level, Ahana is also a TEDxAMS speaker on the topic of Pandemic within the Pandemic- the Mental Health Crisis. She is also certified as a First Responder by National V\Centre for Suicide Prevention, U.K. She is an academic talent manager for universities and a practicing mental health professional (therapist & counselor) at her clinic - AHA Minds.

Ms. Radhika Shanbhag
Qualifications: M.A. in Counselling Psychology
Designation: Full-time Lecturer (2021-2023)

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Areas of Expertise and Research Interest: Developmental Psychology, Counselling Psychology (REBT and CBT), Interplay of Philosophy and Psychology

Dr. Jennie Mendes (Superannuated) 
Qualification: Ph.D.
Designation: Dalmia Professor Emeritus, Associate Professor. Coordinator of Sophia College J N Heredia Counselling Centre since 2019

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Areas of Expertise and Research Interest:  Her interests span Clinical Psychology, Indian Classical Dance, and World Cinema. With over 31 research publications, six research projects, and extensive academic contributions, Dr. Mendes is a pioneer in promoting mental health awareness. She is also involved in CUE-MH (Collaborative Undergraduate Education in Mental Health), an initiative aimed at fostering collaborative research in India.

An alumnus of the college, she has written several popular articles and has research publications in the field of physiological psychology. Her main interests are clinical psychology, world cinema and the theory of Indian classical dance with special reference to Kathak.

Dr. Aninha Lobo (Superannuated)
Qualification: Ph.D

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M.Phil dissertation: The perceptual equivalence of tonal sequences – a study of the cognitive processing of music”

Ph.D thesis: The antecedents and correlates of interpersonal trust and its relationship with performance and job behaviour.

Grants:

• Dorabji Tata Partial Travel Grant (Rs. 35,000/) to present a paper at The Sixth European Conference on Organizational Knowledge and Learning Capability hosted by Bentley College, Waltham, Massachusetts, U.S.A. March 17-19, 2005

• Minor Research Grant: University of Mumbai for the research project: “Using experiential exercises to teach students about cooperation” (2005-2006)