Mangaluru: The decennial celebration of Shanthi Kiran Counselling Centre (SKCC) was held on November 5, at the Pastoral Institute, Bajjodi, Mangaluru.
Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, the Bishop of Mangaluru presided over the Eucharistic celebration. Fr. Vincent Montiero, founder of SKCC gave his homily. Many priests joined to concelebrate the Eucharist, as a thanksgiving to God for the services of the SKCC and prayed for its future endeavours.
A documentary on Shanthi Kiran Counselling Centre, produced by the Canara Communication Centre, was screened after the mass.
Fr. Dyan Vas SJ, Rector of St. Aloysius College, in his address as chief guest, spoke about the challenges faced by today’s youth and the support system required for an individual to become an integrated person. “Unfortunately, support systems like, spousal support system and family support systems which he said, are weakening. “As a result, the growth of an individual becomes stagnant. There are academic counsellors who conduct courses. We need counsellors with patience, those who spend time with clients,” he said and explained his views with anecdotes.
In his presidential address, the Bishop shared his personal experiences about how counselling helped him overcome his fear of authority. He said that counselling made him accept himself. “A good counsellor and spiritual director can help a person free themselves from all fears and make them individuals with integrity”, he said.
Vicar General Msgr Maxim Noronha, Bendoor Church Parish Priest Fr. Vincent Monteiro, Director of the Pastoral Institute Fr. Peter D’Souza and Director of SKCC Fr. Arun Lobo were present.
Fr. Arun Lobo welcomed the guests with rose saplings, Msgr Maxim Noronha offered the grace before meals, Rector of the Graduate Seminarians Fr. Anil A Lobo compered the programme. Many priests, the religious, counsellors and others witnessed the occasion.
The services offered by the centre are individual counselling and psychotherapy, career/vocational counselling, couple counselling, family therapy, personality enhancement programmes, psychological workshops and psychological assessment.
Specialised services:
1. Counselling for depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, adjustment difficulties, addictions, crisis management, stress management and anger management.
2. Career/vocational counselling, guidance counselling, couple counselling, adolescent and youth counselling.
3. Referrals to psychiatrists, psychologists and other health professionals.
The courses offered at the centre are psychological first aid, guidance programmes (teachers, students, youth, women), psycho-sexual integrity, psycho-spiritual maturity, counselling skills, counselling therapies, stress management, anger management, soft skills training, issues and challenges of adolescence, challenges of youth, inner child therapy, parenting skills, personality development, career decisiveness to the SSLC/PUC students, substance abuse and its effects and social media and familial relations.
Future plans for the centre:
1. Training persons for Disaster Management and Trauma Counselling
2. Rehabilitation to adolescents with Substance Abuse and Cyber addictions
3. Psycho-Spiritual integration of children, adolescents and youth
4. Training guidance counsellors for schools and colleges
5. Decennial Block for Academic Research in Counseling and Psychotherapy
SKCC is located at the Pastoral Institute, Shanthi Kiran, Bajjodi near the Nanthoor junction. The centre is open on weekdays from 9.30 AM to 5 PM. Services are available on appointment basis.
Contact number: 8105681256