Report on the Three Day National Conference organised by Nirmala Institute of Education, Panaji Goa
17th to 19th September, 2025
The National Conference received an overwhelmingly positive response. The presence of delegates across age groups, from young adults to the elderly, reinforced the lifespan approach central to the conference theme. Attendees included students, educators, counsellors, researchers, and other professionals, reflecting its broad appeal.
Through keynote addresses, panel discussions, and workshops led by industry experts, delegates gained multi-stakeholder insights and practical skills to enhance both personal and professional competencies. The vibrant paper presentations further showcased cutting-edge research in positive psychology. Overall, the three-day conference was a resounding success, advancing dialogue on positive psychology and strengths-based approaches to mental health care.
Day 1 – 17th September 2025
A solemn inaugural function, which included the traditional lamp-lighting and a prayer service
A special tribute was offered to Padma Shri awardee Late Reverend Dr. Fr. Romuald D’Souza, whose centenary we celebrate this year.
The gathering was then addressed by esteemed dignitaries: Sister Olga Vaz, Vice-President of the Nirmala Education Society; Dr. Sr. Rita Paes, Director of Nirmala Institute of Education; Dr. Russell D’Souza, Principal of Nirmala Institute of Education; Mrs. Ranjita Pai, Chairperson of the Goa State Commission for Women; and Professor Dr. Niyan Marchon, Advisory Board Member for this Conference.
The first keynote address which was delivered by Dr. Shanmukh Kamble, Professor at the Department of Psychology, Karnatak University, Dharwad. His session, ‘Redefining the Mental Health Paradigm – Promoting Life-long Wellbeing’, critiqued the limited focus on distress management and emphasized a holistic, growth-oriented approach to mental health.
Post lunch, 3 parallel sessions were held:
Panel discussion on ‘Dimensions of Wellness’ in Hall 1, chaired by Ms. Gayathri Konkar, Student Counsellor at GIM and Nirmala Institute of Education, explored the subjective nature of wellness and highlighted key topics like spiritual and emotional wellbeing, Ayurvedic and Indian medical knowledge, social and community interaction, resilience, hope, and parenting tools.
Paper presentations, moderated by Dr. Cindy D’Silva, Assistant Professor, Dhempe College of Arts & Science, was held in Hall 2 and featured papers aligned with the conference themes. Some of the topics brought to light in this segment were shifts in public perceptions of counselling, courage as a psychological strength, and psychological distress, caregiver burden, and resilience among caregivers of children with special needs.
Workshop titled ‘Resilience and Deliberate Practice for Counsellors’ in Hall 3 was facilitated by Dr. Nitasha Borah, Clinical Psychologist, EQ Practitioner and Coach. Its focus was on enhancing therapist effectiveness through deliberate practice, resilience-building, and sustainable professional development. The interactive session used group activities and discussions to reinforce key takeaways.
The first day concluded after a brief and informative session on Yoga by Dr. Ivon D. Almeida, centered on the idea of yoga as a means to calm mental fluctuations. Dr. Almeida dispelled common myths and introduced key schools and limbs of yoga.
Day 2 – 18th September 2025
The second day of the conference was kickstarted by the keynote address titled, ‘The Task of Individuation’ by Ms. Anjali D’Souza, a Jungian Psychotherapist and Psychoanalyst associated with the AGAP and IAAP. Through her session, Ms. D’Souza introduced the concept of individuation and emphasised the importance of the ego. Her session elaborated on various Jungian concepts including the ego, the collective unconscious and the archetypal self. Through case illustrations and examples Ms. D’Souza further impressed upon the audience the importance of aligning with the authentic self, thereby setting the tone for the rest of the day.
The morning continued with two parallel sessions:
Panel Discussion on ‘Wellbeing in Education’ chaired by Dr. Mahesh Pai, Principal, Goa College of Home Science. The panel brought together perspectives of educators, counsellors, parents, and students, emphasizing the role of counsellors in addressing student needs, life transitions and overall wellness.
Workshop by Dr. Nitasha Borah titled ‘Thrive on Campus – Building Wellbeing and Happiness with Intention’. was experiential in nature, introducing participants to the Authentic Happiness Theory, Wellbeing Theory, and the PERMA model, along with practical tools for everyday flourishing.
Post lunch, three sessions ran concurrently: Panel Discussion on ‘Wellbeing at the Workplace’ was chaired by Dr. Anamika Sinha, Professor, Goa Institute of Management, and examined workplace stress, work–life balance, inclusivity, and the need for humane work environments.
The second set of Paper presentations, this time moderated by Dr. Nadisha Coelho, Assistant Professor and Department Incharge, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Goa College of Home Science; were in keeping with the themes of the conference and covered topics like adolescent mental health care, the rise of telepsychiatry, and the role of spiritual practices in student wellness.
Ms. Sofia Dhamani, Counselling Psychologist, Art Therapist and Founder of Mosaic Art Therapy Counselling Centre, led a workshop titled ‘Mindset Reset – Way Forward Towards Growth and Wellbeing’, where the structured use of creative tasks such as Pictionary, Origami, and Stippling helped participants to progressively shift from fixed to growth-oriented mindsets.
Day 3 – 19th September 2025
On the last day of the conference began with a keynote address by Ms. Krishnendu Ashok – Expert and Content Development Lead at YourDost. Her session on the topic ‘Leveraging Technology for Counselling Innovation – Fostering Global Collaboration’ was informative and successfully impressed upon the audience the importance of technology in making mental health services more accessible. The speaker discussed the benefits and challenges of using technology within the counselling realm while also guiding the audience about ways in which mental health professionals can ethically incorporate the use of technology and AI in their practice. The session ended with a demo of the YourDost platform by Mr Aditya Kabra.
This keynote was followed by two panel discussions and a workshop.
The first panel focused on the wellbeing of ageing populations chaired by Dentist, Hypnotherapist, and Behaviour Management Specialist, Dr. Sharmila Rao. It highlighted seniors’ concerns such as resistance to mobility aids, isolation, and life transitions, suggesting music and art therapy, caregiver support, and technology-based interventions to enhance quality of life.
The second panel Cyber Wellness was chaired by Communications Specialist, Ms. Rochelle Cordeiro, and addressed the dual nature of cyber wellness, noting productive uses like learning and livelihood, alongside risks such as financial fraud, online comparison, and anxiety. Strategies for balancing online and offline life, raising awareness on cybercrimes, and responsible AI use were discussed.
Concurrently, the workshop by Mr. Vithoba Mhalkar on ‘Enhancing Emotional Intelligence: Creating a Balance in Life’ explored theories of emotions and strategies for building self-awareness, open communication, and optimism through interactive activities and discussions.
The three-day National Conference concluded with a Valedictory Function presided over by Sr. Olga Vaz (Vice-President, Nirmala Education Society), Shri Govind Parvatkar (Chairman, Goa Education Development Corporation), Dr. Anamika Sinha (Professor, Goa Institute of Management), and Ms. Sheena Pereira (Programme Coordinator, M.A. in Wellness Counselling, NIE). The dignitaries, escorted on stage by Principal Dr. Russell D’Souza, were felicitated with mementos before unveiling the printed copies of the Conference Proceedings.
Dr. Anamika Sinha’s Valedictory Address, which urged participants to integrate wellness into daily life with balance, empathy, and shared responsibility.
Shri Parvatkar, in his address, underscored the need for counsellors in every school while acknowledging GEDC’s contributions in this area.
The session also invited participant feedback. Ms. Annie Biju, a student delegate, highlighted the extensive learning she gained, particularly through the workshops. Educator Ms. Suruchi Sumi spoke of the workshops’ practicality and the facilitators’ expertise and counsellor Ms. Marika Delima warmly shared that “Nirmala felt like home,” commending the hospitality extended to participants.
This was followed by the distribution of certificates to paper presenters and a Vote of Thanks delivered by Ms. Sheena Pereira. The Valedictory Function concluded on a celebratory note with a cultural program, the national anthem, and a group photograph.
