by Fr Godfrey D’sa and Khushboo Rijhwani for BISMumbai.

Integral Somatic Psychology (ISP™) training conducted by Dr Raja Selvam Ph.D, Director of Trauma Vidya, USA, in partnership with Prafulta - Center for Psychological Wellness, Andheri,  concluded its 3rd Module 4-day training on Feb. 7, 2025.

Dr Raja Selvam, the developer of ISP™ and a renowned clinical psychologist and author, led the training along with Prafulta's director and psychotherapist, Father Godfrey D'Sa, and co-founder, Ms Mimansa Popat, a special educator, psychotherapist, and trainer.

Integral Somatic Psychology™ is an approach based on Western and Eastern psychology which is geared towards improving outcomes in all therapeutic modalities through greater embodiment of all aspects of experience with all levels of the psyche. The ISP approach, rooted in modern neuroscience, emphasizes the body's integral role in emotional processing. It posits that when the body is blocked or uninvolved in an emotional experience, the brain's ability to process difficult situations and emotions is hindered. By engaging multiple aspects of the body, both gross and subtle, ISP promotes a more complete, deeper and quicker healing process. 

Drawing thirty participants from across India—specifically clinical and counseling psychologists and psychotherapists from Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Delhi, Kolkata, and Pune—the course offered a rich learning experience with lectures, exercises, demonstrations, and practice sessions. Additionally, there were 14 ISP practitioners, who assisted during the practice sessions.

“I have been a therapist for many years using CBT and other modalities in my practice. But when I bring the body into the therapeutic process, I get much quicker results with my clients,” said a participant from Hyderabad. Another psychotherapist from Mumbai said, “We have learned the role emotions play in health and dis-ease, and how the body can be used to create a greater capacity to regulate and tolerate emotions to improve cognitive, emotional and behavioral outcomes in all therapies.” 

The ISP training is in 3 Modules and the training in the coming year 2025-26 commences in March 2025. Details of the training can be accessed from the Prafulta Website (www.prafultaandheri.org)