NAVPRAGYA, the inauguration ceremony on 23rd September 2025 proudly marked the launch of the pioneering batches of B.Sc. Psychology and M.Sc. Clinical Psychology signifying the commencement of the Department of Psychology under the School of Liberal Arts, DPGU.

This momentous occasion reflects the institution’s commitment to fostering academic excellence, interdisciplinary learning, and holistic development along with setting the tone for a transformative educational journey in the field of liberal arts. The ceremony was graced by eminent dignitaries, faculty members, and distinguished guests from the industry.

Mr. Shrikrishna Chitale, Senior Partner at Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale graced the occasion as an eminent Chief Guest. He shared a personal reflection on mental well-being, drawing from his experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, and encouraged students to support others while caring for their own emotional health.

The honourable Chief Guest Dr. Girish Lad, Chairman of the Texas School of Mental Health and the Rising India Research Foundation shared his vision by addressing the gathering, emphasizing collective responsibility in promoting mental health and inspiring students to pursue psychology with empathy and purpose.

The Guest of Honour Dr. Anand Godse, Consulting Health Psychologist, highlighted the growing importance of liberal arts education, integrating insights from psychology, yoga, and mindfulness to emphasize holistic well-being. He connected well with the audience integrating the wisdom of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras with psychology, health, and mindfulness in education.

Following the inauguration, an intensive week-long Induction Programme was conducted from 23rd September to 1st October 2025, thoughtfully designed to orient students to the academic rigour, professional expectations, and diverse opportunities within the field of psychology.

The programme featured numerous insightful and interactive sessions led by distinguished industry professionals, academicians, and practitioners. These sessions offered students valuable exposure to real-world applications of psychology across clinical, organizational, counselling, research, and social domains. Through expert talks, discussions, and experiential learning activities, students gained a deeper understanding of contemporary psychological practices and emerging career pathways.

Induction Programme Highlights

Day 1 – 23rd September 2025 Emotional Management: Where Is Your Life Pulling You
The induction programme began with an insightful session by Dr. Raja Roy Choudhury, Director School of Liberal Arts, DPGU focusing on emotional awareness, self-reflection, and personal growth. The session encouraged students to understand emotional regulation and align their life goals with personal values.

Day 2 – 24th September 2025 Expressive Art Therapy
Ms. Akshata Parekh, an Expressive Art Therapist conducted an engaging guest session introducing students to expressive art therapy as a creative and therapeutic approach for emotional expression and healing.

Day 2 – 24th September 2025 Psychology Outreach and Program Implementation
Ms. Tushal Wadwalkar, Psychologist Executive – Outreach & Program Coordinator (Colleges), shared practical insights into psychological outreach initiatives, program coordination, and the role of psychologists in community and institutional settings.

Day 3 – 25th September 2025 Mindfulness and Well-being
Ms. Sarabsri, UCLA Counsellor and Facilitator led an interactive session on mindfulness, helping students explore techniques for mental clarity, emotional balance, and overall well-being.

Day 4 – 26th September 2025 Nutritional Psychology
Prof. Manisha Wahi, Assistant Professor – School of liberal Arts, led a session introducing students to the link between nutrition and psychological well-being. The session explored concepts such as the gut-brain axis, balanced diets, and habit loop models. Interactive activities like Food Trap Trivia helped students understand their food choices, stress-eating patterns, and healthier alternatives.

Day 4 & 5– 26th & 27th September 2025 Introduction to Child Psychology
Prof. Vishakha Lanjewar, Assistant Professor - School of Liberal Arts, conducted an engaging session on Child Psychology. Students gained insights into both academic concepts and practical applications through interactive mock activities.

Orientation Session on the Wellness Club
Prof. Vishakha Lanjewar also introduced students to the Wellness Club, outlining its vision, objectives, and planned activities. The session highlighted opportunities for leadership, teamwork, and holistic student development, encouraging students to actively participate in promoting well-being within the campus community.

Day 6 – 29th September 2025 Guest Session: Learning Disabilities and ADHD
Ms. Anjali Morris, an expert in learning disabilities and ADHD, conducted an insightful session for the students. She discussed the characteristics, challenges, and support strategies for individuals with learning differences, emphasizing early identification and intervention. Through interactive discussions and practical examples, students gained a deeper understanding of how psychology can be applied to support diverse learning needs in educational and clinical settings.

Day 7 - 30th September 2025 Vision Board Workshop
Led by Ms. Shreya Tapadia, an International Yoga Prana Vidya (YPV) trainer and certified healer, theDepartment of Psychology, School of Liberal Arts DPGU, organized an inspiring Vision Board Workshop.

The session began with a mindfulness activity where students reflected on their short- and long-term goals. They then created personalized vision boards using cork boards, images, and art supplies, adding their own illustrations to represent aspirations in areas like family, academics, self-growth, and creativity. The workshop concluded with empowering affirmations from Ms. Shreya Tapadia, inspiring students to embrace success, abundance, and continuous learning. The activity encouraged sharing of visions and made for an engaging and motivating experience.

Day 7 – 30th September 2025 Guest Session: Neuroscience
Ms. Archana Ranade, an expert in neuroscience, led an engaging session introducing students to the fundamentals of brain function and its impact on behaviour, cognition, and mental health. She explained key concepts in an accessible manner and highlighted the applications of neuroscience in psychological research and practice. The interactive session helped students connect theoretical knowledge with real-world understanding of the human mind.

Day 8 – 1st October 2025 Guest Session: Play and Filial Therapy
The induction programme concluded with an engaging session by Ms. Anupama Ganu, an experienced Play and Filial Therapist. She introduced students to the principles and techniques of play therapy and filial therapy, highlighting their applications in supporting children’s emotional development and strengthening parent-child relationships. The session included practical examples and interactive discussions, giving students valuable insights into therapeutic approaches in psychology.

The Department of Psychology organized an engaging outbound trip for B.Sc. and M.Sc. Clinical Psychology students at a picturesque camping site on the shores of Lake Pawna on 11^th and 12^th October 2025. Arriving by bus in the late afternoon, students and faculty participated in a variety of team-building activities including hula-hoops, four-legged races, archery, badminton, and cricket, fostering collaboration, camaraderie, and a sense of fun.

Meals were thoughtfully provided for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian preferences, along with evening snacks for everyone. The night featured a lively dance party followed by storytelling around a bonfire, creating memorable moments of bonding and relaxation.

The following morning was a leisurely start, allowing everyone to unwind before departing. The trip concluded with students and faculty returning home with stronger bonds, cherished memories, and refreshed spirits, highlighting the value of experiential learning outside the classroom.

On 8th November 2025, the Psychology Department of the School of Liberal Arts, DPGU hosted an immersive Expressive Arts Therapy workshop with the Innovent Drum Circle Group. Held in the Girls Common Room at School of Liberal Arts, the workshop was facilitated by Neha Bafna, Pooja Karkera, and Varun Vishvesh, and aimed to help students explore creativity, emotional expression, and collaborative engagement.

The session began with a moment of mindfulness, where students reflected on what they wished to gain from the experience through a grounding exercise that combined walking meditation with the 5-4-3-2-1 sensory technique, encouraging participants to notice their surroundings and connect with the present moment.

It was followed by an interactive emotional expression activity, where students paired up to portray and respond to different emotions through words and gestures. Using cues, students explored emotional regulation, self-awareness, and empathy, gaining insight into the power of managing and understanding everyday emotions.

Finally, students were introduced to the Drum Circle, a collaborative musical exercise using instruments such as djembes, shakers, tambourines, rhythm blocks, and improvised percussion. Students sat in a circle, playing off each other’s rhythms and energy, fostering non-verbal communication, spontaneity, teamwork, and a sense of community. The activity encouraged creativity, shared collaboration, and collective harmony.

The session concluded with a silent expressive drawing activity, where students translated their thoughts and emotions onto paper using various art supplies, followed by a reflective question-and-answer discussion.

Overall, the session provided students with a unique opportunity to express themselves creatively, develop emotional intelligence, and strengthen interpersonal skills. Through mindfulness, drama, music, and art, participants gained a deeper understanding of expressive arts therapy and its application in psychological practice.

On 21st November 2025 Department of Psychology, School of Liberal Arts, DPGU hosted an engaging certification masterclass titled “Unlocking Minds: From Brain Science to Business Strategy” led by Mr. Jitendra Sandu, CEO of Talent Assessment & Analytics Software Solutions.

The session began with an exploration of how early childhood experiences shape behaviour, emotional responses, and learning styles. Mr. Sandu shared insights from a study by his team, where children aged 3–8 learned chess through storytelling, drawing, reading, and multi-sensory learning—visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and writing—without technology. This approach highlighted the importance of formative years in emotional regulation, brain plasticity, and building long-lasting neural connections.

Students then participated in a Delphi Method group activity, selecting real-world problems in areas like finance, travel, fashion, mental health, and fitness. Teams designed innovative products/services, identified the experts they would consult, framed meaningful questions, and even planned a small pilot, simulating a complete business strategy process.

The masterclass concluded with reflective exercises, including Dr. Phil’s and Dalai Lama’s Tests, encouraging students to connect psychology with personal and professional growth. The session was interactive, thought-provoking, and inspiring, offering a unique blend of psychology, creativity, and practical strategy, leaving students with valuable insights and skills.

A Three-Day Experiential Certification Workshop DRAMEUTICS: Transformative Journey through Drama Therapy was conducted from 3rd–5th December 2025 by the Department of Psychology, School of Liberal Arts, DPGU. The workshop was led by Mr. Deepak Pachory, a passionate storyteller, creative director, content writer and an inspiring educator with over 20 years of experience in the Indian entertainment industry.

The workshop introduced students to drama therapy and provided practical experience with therapeutic theatre techniques to promote emotional healing, self-expression, and personal development and aimed to:

• Introduce participants to the fundamentals of drama therapy.
• Explore emotions through improvisation, storytelling, and role-playing.
• Highlight the therapeutic benefits of theatre-based exercises.
• Foster self-awareness, empathy, and group bonding.
• Provide methods applicable in therapy, education, and community contexts.

Day 1: Foundations of Drama Therapy
The first day began with interactive icebreakers, including movement and name-based exercises where Mr. Pachory provided an overview of drama therapy, its history, applications, and relevance in mental health. Students engaged in exercises focusing on body awareness, emotional mapping, and spontaneous expression, concluding the day with group improvisation activities that fostered trust and collaboration.

Day 2: Methods, Role-Playing, and Therapeutic Exploration
The second day focused on practical applications, introducing techniques such as role-changing, mirror drills, guided imagery, and playback theatre. In small groups, students dramatized real-life themes like resilience, conflict, and identity, reflecting on their experiences and emotions. The activities encouraged empathy, self-reflection, and emotional expression in a safe and supportive environment.

Day 3: Integration, Performance, and Reflection
On the final day, participants integrated their learning into therapeutic performances, creating and presenting short skits using the techniques learned. The workshop concluded with a reflection circle, where students shared insights and future goals for applying drama therapy. Certificates of participation were awarded to all students.

The three-day workshop offered a transformative experience, equipping students with tools for self-expression, emotional healing, and personal growth. The program successfully created a dynamic, safe, and creative environment for learning, collaboration, and reflection.

The three-day workshop offered a transformative experience, equipping students with tools for self-expression, emotional healing, and personal growth. The program successfully created a dynamic, safe, and creative environment for learning, collaboration, and reflection.