MAP Academy
MAP (Mental Health Action by People) is a non-governmental organization registered under Niti-Ayog govt of india(PY/2021/0277827) founded in 2014 in the city of Trivandrum with a clear vision: to make mental health awareness, care, and support accessible to all.
MAP was born from the belief that mental health is not the responsibility of professionals alone, but a shared social responsibility. Through community engagement, education, and action-oriented initiatives, MAP works to bridge the gap between mental health needs and available support systems.
Over the years, MAP has actively engaged with students, teachers, parents, professionals, and community members, focusing on awareness, early identification, prevention, and psychosocial support. The organization emphasizes evidence-based practices, ethical mental health care, and culturally sensitive approaches tailored to local communities.
MAP Academy is an extension of MAP designed as a learning and capacity-building platform. It aims to empower individuals with knowledge, skills, and practical tools to understand behavioural sciences & mental health, respond effectively to psychological challenges, and promote emotional well-being at individual and community levels.
Through structured training programs, workshops, and educational initiatives, MAP Academy seeks to build informed, compassionate, and mentally resilient communities, where conversations around mental health are normalized and help-seeking is encouraged.
MAP Academy – Programs & Initiatives
MAP Talk Series – Conversations that Cultivate Minds
Launched in 2019–2020, the MAP Talk Series is one of our flagship academic initiatives under the Mental Health Action by People (MAP) Kerala Chapter.
Held every mid-month Wednesday, this ongoing series brings together renowned clinical psychologists, mental health professionals, researchers, and thought leaders from across India and beyond. It serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, professional growth, and critical discussion on contemporary issues in psychology, psychiatry, and behavioral sciences.
The series aims to:
- Bridge the gap between academia and applied clinical practice
- Introduce emerging themes in mental health
- Encourage student and practitioner engagement
- Promote a culture of lifelong learning within the mental health community
From trauma therapy to neuropsychological advances, legal issues in practice to community mental health models—MAP Talk has consistently offered rich, evidence-based conversations that shape how we think, work, and heal.
Training Programs
MAP Academy offers structured training programs at international, national, and state levels, designed to enhance professional competence and promote evidence-based mental health practices.
International-Level Training Programs
Our international programs introduce globally recognized therapeutic approaches delivered by experienced trainers and subject experts.
Key programs include:
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
Single Session Therapy (SST)
De-escalation training
Grief Therapy
Trauma-Focused Therapy
Therapy for Sexual Variations
Other emerging evidence-based psychotherapeutic models
These programs aim to align local practice with international standards.
National-Level Training Programs
National-level training focuses on strengthening clinical knowledge and practical skills among mental health professionals and trainees across India, emphasizing ethical practice, cultural sensitivity, and applicability in diverse settings.
State-Level Training Programs
State-level programs are designed to meet regional needs and promote multidisciplinary learning. Areas of focus include:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
- Dance Movement Therapy (DMT)
- Creative Art Therapy
- Digital Addiction and Behavioral Management
- Clinical Hypnotherapy
- Trauma-Informed Therapy
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
These trainings combine theoretical understanding with experiential learning.
International Conference
ICFBS 2025– International Conference
MAP Academy organized the International Conference on Frontiers of Behavioral Sciences : Addressing Contemporary Social Challenges (ICFBS), providing a platform for academicians, clinicians, researchers, and students to exchange knowledge, present research, and engage in interdisciplinary dialogue on mental health and behavioral sciences.
Internship Programs
MAP Academy offers structured internship programs for UG,PG students and early-career professionals in psychology and allied fields. Internships emphasize:
- Supervised practical exposure
- Skill development and professional ethics
- Real-world application of theoretical knowledge
Participant experiences are documented through feedback testimonials and video reflections, highlighting learning outcomes and personal growth.
Upcoming Professional Training Programmes in Counselling & Psychotherapy
MAP Academy is the academic and training wing of Mental Health Action by People (MAP). Our programmes are designed to bridge the gap between theory and real-world clinical practice. These courses are practice-oriented, evidence-based, and mentor-led, developed from our experience of training professionals across multiple cohorts over the years.
1. Foundations of Counselling
Programme Overview
The Foundations of Counselling course is an intensive, short-term bridge programme designed for individuals who want a structured entry into counselling and mental health practice. It focuses on core counselling skills, therapist mindset, ethics, and practical exposure.
This course has been successfully conducted multiple times in the past and has served as a starting point for many professionals who later pursued advanced training or clinical roles.
Eligibility
Psychology graduates (BA / BSc / MA / MSc)
Social work graduates
Teachers, special educators, nurses
Life skills trainers, wellness professionals
Individuals planning to enter the mental health field (basic academic background preferred)
What Participants Should Expect Before Joining
This is a fast-paced, skill-focused programme
Basic familiarity with psychology concepts is helpful but not mandatory
Participants should be open to self-reflection and experiential learning
What You Will Learn
Role of a counsellor vs therapist
Core counselling skills: attending, empathy, paraphrasing, summarising
Building therapeutic alliance
Basic case formulation
Ethics, boundaries, confidentiality
Introduction to mental health concerns
Outcomes
Clear conceptual foundation of counselling practice
Confidence to begin supervised counselling roles
Readiness for advanced diploma programmes
2. Diploma in Family Counselling & Therapy (6 Months – Skill & Practice Oriented)
Programme Overview
This 6-month diploma equips participants with practical skills to work with couples, families, and relational systems. The course emphasises systemic thinking, cultural sensitivity, and evidence-based family therapy approaches.
MAP Academy has conducted multiple batches of family counselling training, producing professionals who are actively working in clinical, NGO, and institutional settings.
Eligibility
- Postgraduates in Psychology / Counselling / Social Work
- Practicing counsellors or therapists
- Clinical psychologists (trainees)
- Mental health professionals working with families or couples
Pre-Joining Expectations
- Willingness to engage in case discussions and role-plays
- Openness to examining personal belief systems around family, marriage, and relationships
- Commitment to regular attendance and practice
Core Curriculum
- Family systems theory
- Couple dynamics and marital conflicts
- Parenting styles and intergenerational patterns
- Communication and conflict resolution skills
- Structural, strategic, narrative, and emotion-focused family therapy (introductory level)
- Assessment and intervention planning
Practical Exposure
- Case vignettes and simulations
- Supervised case discussions
- Observation of real-world therapeutic processes
Outcomes
- Ability to conceptualise cases systemically
- Skill to conduct family and couple sessions under supervision
- Strong foundation for advanced family therapy training
3. Diploma in School Counselling (6 Months)
Programme Overview
The School Counselling diploma is designed to prepare professionals to work effectively with children, adolescents, parents, and educational institutions. The course integrates developmental psychology, behavioural strategies, and counselling skills.
This programme is based on MAP’s extensive work in schools, child-focused interventions, and teacher-parent counselling initiatives.
Eligibility
- Psychology graduates and postgraduates
- Teachers and special educators
- School counsellors (working or aspiring)
- Child development professionals
Before You Join
- Interest in working with children and adolescents
- Readiness to collaborate with parents and school systems
- Understanding that school counselling is both preventive and interventive
Curriculum Highlights
- Child and adolescent development
- Behavioural and emotional problems in school settings
- Learning difficulties and attention issues
- Classroom behaviour management strategies
- Parent counselling and teacher consultations
- Ethical and legal considerations in school counselling
Outcomes
- Competence to function as a school counsellor
- Skills to design intervention plans for students
- Confidence in handling parent–teacher interactions
4. Diploma in Evidence-Based Psychotherapies (6 Months)
Programme Overview
This diploma focuses on scientifically validated psychotherapeutic approaches, integrating theory with hands-on clinical application. It is ideal for professionals who want to strengthen their therapeutic effectiveness using structured models.
This course reflects MAP Academy’s long-standing emphasis on ethical, evidence-based mental health practice.
Eligibility
- Postgraduate students and professionals in psychology
- Counsellors and therapists in active practice
- Clinical psychology trainees
Expectations Before Joining
- Basic understanding of psychopathology
- Willingness to engage in structured frameworks
- Openness to feedback and supervision
Therapeutic Models Covered
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT – introductory level)
- Behavioural interventions
- Trauma-informed approaches (introductory)
- Case formulation and treatment planning
Learning Methodology
- Model-based demonstrations
- Case conceptualisation exercises
- Skill practice and supervision
Outcomes
- Ability to apply evidence-based techniques ethically
- Improved clinical confidence and structure
- Readiness for specialised or advanced psychotherapy training
Teaching Methodology Across All Programmes
- Interactive lectures
- Case-based learning
- Role plays and simulations
- Supervised discussions
- Real-world clinical insights from experienced practitioners
Why MAP Academy?
- Programmes developed from years of hands-on training experience
- Strong balance between theory and practice
- Ethical, culturally sensitive, and Indian-context focused
- Mentorship-driven learning model
- Trusted by multiple cohorts of mental health professionals
MAP Academy – Training professionals not just to know psychology, but to practice it responsibly.
