Ms. Shreshta Chattopadhyay

Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology

Phone No. – +91 9007546970

Email – shreshta.chattopadhyay@rru.ac.in,ap17.sbsfi@rru.ac.in

Research Area – Liaison Psychiatry, Psycho-oncology, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Mindfulness, Yoga Psychology (the four paths: Karma Yoga, Raja Yoga, Bhakti Yoga & Gyan Yoga), Qualitative Research & Thematic Apperception Test

About Ms. Shreshta Chattopadhyay

Driven by a deep passion for Psychology, I view my role as a Clinical Psychologist not only as a profession but as a continuous journey of learning, self-discovery, and meaningful human connection. As an RCI-accredited Clinical Psychologist, I understand that while qualifications are important, it’s the ability to empathize, listen, and support that truly defines one’s effectiveness. My passion lies in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Mindfulness, which I pursued deeply during my M.Phil. training. A transformative two-year fellowship in Psycho-Oncology at Tata Medical Center, Kolkata, shifted my perspective, emphasizing the importance of the therapeutic alliance in psychotherapy.

Teaching has been another fulfilling aspect of my journey—offering opportunities for self-discovery, inspiration, and building meaningful connections with students who sought mentorship. I’m also passionate about exploring the integration of Vedanta Philosophy with Western Psychotherapy, and my ongoing exploration of Indian Psychology and Yoga further enriches my understanding of the human mind.

In my professional practice, I specialize in Liaison Psychiatry, Psycho-Oncology, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, and Mindfulness. Outside of work, I enjoy history, heritage walks, jazz, Bengali folk music, and experimenting with culinary arts.

Academic Qualification
  • Currently pursuing PhD in Applied Psychology at the University of Calcutta from 4th July 2022.
  • Completed M.Phil. in Clinical Psychology (RCI recognized) from the University of Calcutta, Kolkata, in 2018.
  • Post-graduated with an M.A. in Applied Psychology, specializing in Clinical and Forensic Psychology, from the University of Calcutta, Kolkata, in 2016.
  • Graduated with a B.A. (Honours) in Psychology from Bethune College, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, in 2014.
Additional Qualifications
  • Registered Clinical Psychologist under Rehabilitation Council of India (CRR NO: A64169);
  • Qualified F-PACT 2019 (Forensic Psychology Aptitude and Caliber Test 2019);
  • Passed UGC NET 2018 (July) [Assistant Professor only]
Awards & Achievements
  1. Awarded Best Poster for the poster titled “Psycho-oncology service in breast onco-surgery unit: one-year retrospective audit” at the congress “Choosing treatments wisely: Oncology summit” organised by ecancer.org at Tata Medical Center, Kolkata in 2019.
  2. Awarded Prof. Gordon McVie Best Presentation Prize for research in cancer communications and psycho-oncology (2nd Prize), “Patients’ and professionals’ views on cancer clinical trials: An interim analysis”, at the Virtual ecancer- TMC Oncology Skills Course 2021.
Professional Experiences
  1. Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology (Contractual) at the School of Behavioural Sciences and Forensic Investigations (SBSFI), Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), Lavad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, since December 2023. Also serving as the Coordinator of the M.Phil Programme in Clinical Psychology (RCI accredited) and the Coordinator of the Psychosocial Care Center (Ahmedabad) at the Hospital for Mental Health, Ahmedabad.
  2. Former Teaching and Research Assistant (Contractual) at the Department of Clinical Psychology, National Forensic Sciences University (Delhi Campus), from 10th May 2023 to 26th December 2023.
  3. Former Assistant Professor at the Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Behavioral Sciences, SGT University, Gurugram, India, from 10th March 2022 to 9th May 2023.
  4. Former Consultant Clinical Psychologist at:
    • Aakash Hospital, Malviya Nagar, New Delhi (Full-Time) from July 2021 to February 2022.
    • Mfine App (Part-Time) from July 2021 to February 2022.
    • Tata Health App (Part-Time) from August 2021 to February 2022.
  5. Completed a 2-year fellowship in the Department of Palliative Care and Psycho-Oncology at Tata Medical Center, Kolkata, from 1st June 2019 to 31st May 2021.
Professional Memberships
  • Life member of the Indian Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (IACAM).
  • Professional Life Member of the Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists (IACP).
  • Life member of the Somatic Inkblot Society (SIS).
Workshops & Training Programs
  • Chaired the CRE Committee and served as the CRE Coordinator at the 2nd CPSICON in November 2024.
  • Delivered a lecture in the one- month Training of Trainers (TOT) Program on Psychological Counselling for JCOs of the Eastern Command, focusing on stress management strategies in September 2024.
  • Conducted the Mental Fitness Program (MFP) for Rashtriya Rifles Sector 8, KILO Force, from 7th to 28th July 2024. Coordinated over 1,300 screenings and 90 counselling sessions, and prepared a comprehensive report for the same.
  • Co-coordinated an FDP on Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) and Alternative Medicine Techniques, held from 3rd to 7th June 2024, at the School of Behavioural Sciences and Forensic Investigations, Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU).
  • Delivered a lecture titled, “Understanding the Basics of Human Behaviour and Cognitive Processes”, as part of the Online GRATIS Course on Psychological Tools and Techniques for Behavioural Forensic Investigation, organized for Police Staff College (PSC), Bangladesh, on 1st May 2024.
  • Delivered a lecture titled, “Addressing Youth Psychology to Prevent Crime Involvement”, during the 10-day Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme for Togolese officers, hosted by the School of Internal Security, Defence, and Strategic Studies, Rashtriya Raksha University, on 26th February 2024.
  • Organized Umeed: An Initiative to Observe Suicide Prevention Week in September 2023 at NFSU, Delhi Campus.
  • Organized World Schizophrenia Day in May 2023 at the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), Delhi Campus.
  • Chaired the Accommodation Committee at the 49th NACIACP in 2023.
  • Chaired the Workshop Committee during the International Conference on Psychosocial Implications in Health and Wellbeing: Looking Beyond the Boundaries, hosted by the Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, SGT University, from 2nd to 4th November 2022.
  • Organized a Faculty Development Programme (FDP) on Qualitative Research Methodology at SGT University, from 26th to 30th September 2022, featuring esteemed resource persons: Professor Girishwar Misra, Professor Anand Prakash, Dr. Ishita Bharadwaj, and Dr. Shubha Ranganathan.
  • Conducted a session as a resource person during the FDP on Destressing: Stress-busting Psychological Interventions at SGT University, held from 12th to 16th September 2022.
Consultancy & Extension Services
  • Psychosocial Care Center, Ahmedabad
Paper Presentations
National
  • Presented a paper titled: “Adolescent Problem-Solving Behavior: Insights from a Techno Fest Pilot Study”, at the 17th Biennial National Conference of the Indian Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (IACAMCON 2023) held from 16th-18th November 2023 at NIMHANS, Bangalore.
  • Presented a symposium on: “The Effectiveness of Third Wave Cognitive Behavioural Therapy on Young Adults in the Indian Population” at the 49th National Annual Conference of Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists, 2023 (49th NACIACP).
  • Poster titled: “Effect of mindfulness and cognitive behaviour therapy on individuals diagnosed with OCD”, at the 47th National Annual Conference of Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists, 2021 (47th NACIACP).
  • Poster titled: “Effects of creativity training on the enhancement of creativity of secondary school students” at the National Conference on Expanding Frontiers of Applied Psychology: Golden Jubilee Celebration of Department of Applied Psychology, 2017.
International
  • Presentation titled: “Patients’ and professionals’ views on cancer clinical trials: An interim analysis”, at the Virtual ecancer: TMC Oncology Skills Course 2021.
  • Poster titled: “Psycho-oncology service in breast onco-surgery unit: one year retrospective audit”, at the congress “Choosing treatments wisely: Oncology summit” organised by ecancer.org at Tata Medical Center, Kolkata in 2019.
Research Projects & Paper Publications
Paper Publications
  • Mukherjee, A., Chatterjee, M., Chattopadhyay, S., Bhowmick, C., Basu, A., Bhattacharjee, S., Ghose, S., & Datta, S. S. (2021). Psycho-oncology service provisions for hospitalised cancer patients before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. ecancermedicalscience, 15, 1226. https://doi.org/10.3332/ecancer.2021.1226
  • Mukherjee, A., Bhowmick, C., Chattopadhyay, S., Kathar, M. A., Bhattacharyya, M., Nasreen, S., Jain, P., Arun, P., & Datta, S. S. (2022). Preoperative risk factors associated with perioperative psychiatric diagnosis in oral cancer patients. ecancermedicalscience, 16, 1401. https://doi.org/10.3332/ecancer.2022.1401
  • Chattopadhyay, S., & Datta, S. (2023). Mindfulness as an adjunct to cognitive restructuring and ERP: Psychotherapeutic intervention of individuals diagnosed with OCD. SIS Journal of Projective Psychology and Mental Health, 30(1).
  • Mukherjee, A., Samanta, B., Sharma, V., Shrestha, A. K., Chattopadhyay, S., Bhowmick, C., Ghosh, J., Ganguly, S., Agrawal, S. K., & Datta, S. S. (2023). When do patients with breast cancer seek help from psycho-oncology services? A 3-year retrospective study from India. Indian Journal of Medical and Paediatric Oncology. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-1768048
  • Mahajan, S. N., Jain, A., Chattopadhyay, S., & Themse, S. (2024). Integrating Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, Compassion-Focused Therapy with Cognitive Retraining in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Case Report. Consortium of Psychology, 5(4), 93-104. https://doi.org/10.17816/CP15546
Ongoing Research and Publications
  • Case Series: Cathartic Role of Thematic Apperception Test in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: A Case Series of Schizophrenia Characterized by Persistent Delusions, co-authored with Vaidehi B. Rana, Shweta Mahajan, and Dr. Chirag Parmar. Approved in the HMH ethical meeting and work is currently under progress.
  • Manuscripts: Two project manuscripts submitted, currently under review.
  • Book Chapters: Three chapters submitted for the case compendium.
  • Case Reports: One case report submitted, currently under review.