Educate • Evolve • Empower
Dehradun, Uttarakhand: In an era where mental health awareness is reshaping the fabric of modern society, the Uttarakhand Psychological Association® (UPA) stands as a national torchbearer of psychological excellence, unity, and professional empowerment.
Established in 2010, the UPA® has become a prestigious and forward-thinking association, registered under the Government of India and internationally ISO Certified, functioning as a professional wing of the Bhameshwari Group®.
For more than a decade, it has consistently promoted psychological education, research, counseling advancement, and community advocacy, guiding both aspiring and practicing psychologists toward ethical, skilled, and compassionate practice.
UPA® represents not just an organization — but a movement of minds, dedicated to strengthening India’s mental health infrastructure through education, ethics, and inclusivity.
- Emergence — The Birth of a Vision
The story of Uttarakhand Psychological Association® began in the Doon Valley — Dehradun — a city known for its serenity, intellect, and educational legacy.
In 2010, a collective of educators, counsellors, and mental health advocates identified a growing need: psychology students and young professionals lacked a structured platform to transition from academic learning to real-world application.
The result was the formation of UPA® — an inclusive association that would unite psychologists, counsellors, and educators across Uttarakhand and beyond, offering them a professional identity, guidance, and voice.
From its very inception, UPA® aimed to serve as a bridge between theoretical knowledge and applied practice, while fostering collaboration, ethical awareness, and continuous learning.
What started as a local initiative has now grown into a nationally recognized professional association, connecting mental health practitioners across India through research, training, and advocacy.
- Vision — Towards a Psychologically Aware Nation
The vision of UPA® is deeply humanistic and forward-looking — to build a society where mental wellness is understood, valued, and accessible to all.
UPA® envisions India as a nation where psychology is not confined to classrooms or clinics, but integrated into everyday living — in schools, families, workplaces, and communities.
It aims to dismantle stigma, cultivate awareness, and create a generation of professionals who practice with competence, compassion, and integrity.
In the words of its leadership,
“True progress lies not in treating illness but in nurturing well-being. UPA® stands for a future where every individual feels seen, heard, and understood.”
The Association’s work reflects this ethos — psychology as a service, not just a science.
- Mission — Educate, Evolve, Empower
The mission of UPA® revolves around three interconnected pillars — Educate, Evolve, Empower, a triad that has become its identity and driving philosophy.
- Educate:
To provide quality learning, exposure, and ethical grounding to aspiring and practicing psychologists through structured programs, workshops, and mentorship initiatives. - Evolve:
To nurture emotional intelligence, practical skill, and reflective practice in professionals, ensuring personal and professional growth. - Empower:
To create strong, independent, and competent mental health practitioners capable of making meaningful contributions to society.
This mission extends beyond training. It’s a promise — a commitment to nurturing holistic professionals who balance clinical precision with human empathy.
- Goals — Building India’s Psychological Ecosystem
The goals of UPA® are both immediate and long-term, aligning academic psychology with practical social impact.
Key Objectives Include:
- Establishing an interconnected community of mental health professionals across India.
- Creating career pathways for psychology students and buddy counsellors through structured internships and practical exposure.
- Promoting evidence-based counseling practices rooted in ethics and cross-cultural understanding.
- Encouraging research collaborations and academic publications in mental health and behavioral sciences.
- Conducting workshops and certification programs to raise professional standards.
- Advocating for mental health awareness and inclusion in educational and community setups.
- Partnering with schools, NGOs, and organizations for outreach, emotional wellness, and policy engagement.
By achieving these objectives, UPA® is steadily building India’s next generation of mental health leaders.
- Future Prospects — Expanding Horizons of Mental Health Education
Looking ahead, the UPA® is committed to expanding its national and international presence through partnerships, research collaborations, and digital innovation.
Its future roadmap includes:
- Establishing State Chapters across India to enhance accessibility for members.
- Launching online mentorship platforms for remote learning and supervision.
- Collaborating with universities and research bodies to advance mental health education and practice.
- Introducing specialized certification programs in areas like trauma care, educational psychology, and special education.
- Hosting national and international conferences on emerging topics in mental health.
- Implementing school wellness policies and teacher sensitization programs in alignment with NEP-2020.
The Association also plans to create a National Psychological Resource Network, connecting experts, researchers, and policy makers to strengthen mental health advocacy at every level.
UPA® envisions a decade of innovation, outreach, and collaboration, transforming the psychological landscape from Uttarakhand to the world.
- Cause of Existence — Why UPA® Matters
The existence of UPA® is rooted in a simple truth — India needs more psychologically aware and professionally supported individuals.
While the country has seen growing academic interest in psychology, professional guidance and mentorship often remain fragmented.
UPA® fills this gap by offering:
- A structured framework for learning and professional recognition.
- A supportive network for peer and expert mentorship.
- A professional identity for emerging counsellors and educators.
- A standard of ethics and accountability within the helping profession.
By connecting academia, practice, and community, UPA® ensures that psychological knowledge does not remain confined to theory but becomes a tool for healing, growth, and empowerment.
Its existence represents a bridge — between knowledge and wisdom, learning and doing, awareness and change.
- What UPA® Has Achieved — A Decade of Progress and Purpose
Since its formation, UPA® has carried out numerous initiatives that have transformed both individuals and institutions. Its work encompasses education, training, research, advocacy, and outreach.
Internship Programs and Practical Training
UPA® has designed structured internship modules for psychology students across undergraduate and postgraduate levels. These programs emphasize applied psychology, case conceptualization, ethics, and client handling.
Students gain hands-on exposure through mentorship, guided counseling practice, and supervised evaluation — preparing them for diverse professional environments.
Courses and Skill Development
UPA® has organized short-term certification courses on:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Generational Emotional Realignment Therapy (GERT®)
- Stress and Burnout Management
- Family & Marital Counselling
- Special Education & Inclusive Learning
These courses are structured to blend academic rigor with practical applicability, equipping learners with real-world counseling tools.
Workshops and Seminars
UPA® has hosted a series of workshops, national webinars, and seminars addressing key topics in psychology, including:
- Emotional Intelligence and Resilience
- Adolescent Mental Health
- Parenting and Family Communication
- Teacher Sensitization and Classroom Behavior
- Workplace Stress and Digital Detox
These sessions have reached hundreds of participants, from students to professionals, creating a culture of shared learning and awareness.
Collaborations and Partnerships
UPA® has partnered with educational institutions, NGOs, and health organizations to implement community mental health programs and research-based collaborations.
These partnerships have strengthened local and regional access to counseling services, emotional wellness training, and mental health education — ensuring that psychology moves beyond academia and into social action.
Awareness and Advocacy
The Association has consistently worked to destigmatize mental health issues through campaigns, open sessions, and psychological first-aid initiatives.
UPA®’s programs in schools, rural communities, and urban centers have made psychological help more approachable, fostering an environment where seeking help is strength, not weakness.
- Join Our Movement — Be Part of the Change
The Uttarakhand Psychological Association® is not merely an organization — it is a movement to educate minds, evolve skills, and empower hearts.
Membership with UPA® offers students, educators, and professionals the chance to:
- Be part of a national network of psychologists and counsellors.
- Access training, mentorship, and certification programs.
- Participate in internships, workshops, and professional conferences.
- Contribute to research, publications, and community projects.
- Receive career guidance and ethical support.
- Gain recognition as a registered member of a certified professional body.
Joining UPA® means joining a family — one that supports, guides, and uplifts. It means taking an active role in shaping a future where psychology is recognized as both a science and an art of human betterment.
As the Association continues to grow, it welcomes aspiring psychologists, buddy counsellors, researchers, educators, and practitioners from all walks of life to be part of its mission.
The Road Ahead: From Uttarakhand to India, and Beyond
As UPA® moves into its next phase of growth, it continues to inspire confidence and collaboration within India’s mental health ecosystem.
Its aim is clear — to make Uttarakhand a psychological education hub while expanding its initiatives nationwide. Through its leadership, it seeks to redefine professional psychology as a field of compassion, intellect, and community service.
The Association’s upcoming endeavors include:
- Creating a National Network of Psychologists and Counsellors for inter-state collaboration.
- Introducing digital certification programs for global accessibility.
- Launching a Research Journal of Applied Psychology and Counseling.
- Expanding internship opportunities across hospitals, schools, and NGOs.
- Promoting gender equality, inclusivity, and accessibility in psychological practice.
These initiatives reaffirm UPA®’s position as a beacon of professional integrity and academic excellence.
Conclusion — UPA®: A Movement of Minds, A Legacy of Change
Over the past 15 years, the Uttarakhand Psychological Association® has transformed from a regional initiative into a nationally recognized professional movement.
It has empowered countless students, counsellors, and educators to pursue meaningful careers, supported community well-being through awareness and outreach, and elevated the practice of psychology to global standards.
As India continues to evolve in its understanding of mental health, UPA® stands at the forefront — educating, evolving, and empowering minds that will shape a more empathetic future.
Joining UPA® is not just a professional choice — it is an alignment with purpose, ethics, and progress.
The journey of psychology in India is unfolding rapidly — and UPA® invites you to be part of that story.
UPA® – Educate • Evolve • Empower
Uttarakhand Psychological Association®
Registered under Government of India | ISO Certified | A Bhameshwari Group® Initiative
