Post Graduate Diploma/ Executive Diploma in Cultural Psychology & Psychiatry

The Post Graduate Diploma/Executive Diploma in Cultural Psychology and Psychiatry is a comprehensive and interdisciplinary program designed to equip mental health professionals, educators, counsellors, and allied practitioners with the cultural competence necessary to understand and address the complex interplay between culture, mind, and mental health. Rooted in evidence-based theory and enriched with real-world application, this program emphasizes the psychological and psychiatric foundations of cultural identity, cross-cultural variations in mental health, and culturally sensitive approaches to assessment, intervention, and community engagement.

Participants will explore how cultural beliefs, values, and social contexts shape cognitive, emotional, and behavioral experiences, understand culturally influenced expressions of psychological distress, and apply inclusive and contextually relevant practices in both clinical and community settings. The course also highlights the importance of cultural formulation in diagnosis, indigenous healing practices, migration-related stress, cultural stigma surrounding mental illness, and the critical role of families, communities, and socio-political factors in shaping mental health outcomes. With a balanced focus on theoretical depth and practical application, students will be prepared to address culturally rooted challenges, enhance therapeutic alliance in multicultural contexts, and contribute meaningfully to inclusive and globally informed mental health care.

Programme Overview

The PG Diploma/Executive Diploma in Cultural Psychology & Psychiatry is a one-year intensive program designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills to understand, assess, and intervene in mental health issues through culturally-informed and contextually-sensitive approaches. This comprehensive course integrates theory and practice from psychology and psychiatry, enabling participants to address the complex interactions between culture, mind, and mental health. The curriculum covers key areas including cultural foundations of mental health, cross-cultural psychopathology, cultural formulation in clinical practice, transcultural counselling, cultural influences on trauma, resilience, and identity, and relevant legislation and policy frameworks. The program emphasizes evidence-based practices, ethical care, cultural competence, and rights-based, inclusive service delivery. Learning methods include in-depth modules, cultural case studies, and applied assessments. Participants will gain the knowledge and skills needed to conduct culturally-sensitive assessments, design culturally-appropriate interventions, facilitate culturally-informed community engagement, and advocate for equitable and inclusive mental health care across diverse sociocultural contexts.

Programme Structure

Module 1: Foundations of Cultural Psychology and Psychiatry

• Historical evolution and disciplinary intersections
• Key concepts: Culture, mind, illness, and behaviour
• Global vs. local models of mental health
• Contributions of anthropology, sociology, and philosophy

Module 2: Cultural Constructs of Mental Illness and Well-being

• Culture-bound syndromes and idioms of distress
• Indigenous and non-Western mental health systems
• Cultural narratives of suffering and healing
• Spiritual, religious, and supernatural frameworks

Module 3: Theoretical Models in Cultural Psychology

• Emic and Etic approaches to culture and psyche
• Theories of cultural cognition and self-construal
• Acculturation, identity, and adaptation models
• Postcolonial and indigenous critiques of Western psychology

Module 4: Diagnosis and Treatment in Cultural Psychiatry

• Cultural formulation in psychiatric assessment (e.g., DSM-5-TR CFI)
• Variations in symptom presentation and diagnosis
• Cultural adaptation of treatment and psychotherapy
• Pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions across cultures

Module 5: Development, Identity, and Culture Across the Lifespan

• Cultural influences on childhood and parenting
• Adolescence and identity formation in cultural context
• Aging, eldercare, and intergenerational mental health
• Culture and transitions: Life stages and rituals

Module 6: Intersectionality of Culture, Gender, Caste, Class, and Religion

• Gender roles and culturally constructed norms
• Mental health disparities across caste, class, and race
• Religion and spirituality in coping and psychopathology
• Intersectional frameworks for assessment and treatment

Module 7: Culture and Psychotherapy: Indigenous and Global Perspectives

• Culturally competent therapeutic frameworks
• Indigenous healing practices and their integration
• Adapting Western psychotherapy for diverse populations
• Therapist-client cultural attunement and misattunement

Module 8: Migration, Refugee Mental Health, and Transcultural Adaptation

• Psychological effects of displacement and trauma
• Acculturation stress and identity negotiation
• Mental health in refugee and asylum-seeking populations
• Culturally sensitive community interventions and policy

Module 9: Ethics, Law, and Human Rights in Cultural Psychiatry

• Ethical dilemmas in cross-cultural mental health practice
• Human rights issues in psychiatric care
• Cultural bias in mental health legislation and systems
• Ethical collaboration with traditional and indigenous healers

Module 10: Case Studies in Cultural Psychology and Psychiatry

Eligibility

Graduate in any discipline is eligible for our Post Graduate Diploma and Certificate Programmes. For Executive Diploma programmes and Professional Certifications, you need to have at least 1 year of work experience.

Programme Duration

12 months for the Post Graduate Diploma and 6 months for the Executive Diploma.

Programme Mode

Registrations are currently open for regular and online both modes.

Programme Deliverables

A comprehensive study material for all the modules in hard copies ensuring the needs of the audience. The accompanying training material is appropriately aligned with the current Industry’s expectations.

• Assignments for all the programme modules for continuous evaluation and guidance.
• Interactive or online live sessions on all key areas of the programme giving all flexibility to the participants.
• Online classes for all the modules will be conducted on the weekends. Moreover, a doubt clearing session will also be scheduled before the examination
• All the efforts are made by IGMPI faculty members to make the entire programme modules easily understandable.
• Assessment and evaluation for all the programme modules in order to enhance the levels of competencies and skills of the participants leading towards the objective of application in the job.
• At the end of each programme modules, the trainers shall obtain feedback from the participants using specially designed questionnaires.
• All learning and training delivery initiatives shall be conducted in English.

Examination and Certification

IGMPI follows a credit system based on all learning activities involved in studying for all PG Diploma, Executive Diploma and Certificate Programmes. Each of your modules is equal to 4 credits. To successfully complete the programme, you will have to earn all the credits assigned to your programme.

All the participants are expected to appear for an online exam and are also obliged to submit assignments after each module. After successful completion, the participants will be awarded Post Graduate Diploma/Executive Diploma in Cultural Psychology and Psychiatry by Centre for Health Management and Research, IGMPI. For all the above-mentioned modules, Online Classes (Online mode) or face-to-face classes (Regular mode), elaborate programme material, self-assessment assignments would be provided by the Institute. Details get updated on the webpage as well.

Placement Assistance & Corporate Relations

The Institute has partnered with many organizations for providing with placement assistance to its participants. Besides, it has a robust placement cell comprised of senior level Human Resources professionals and Talent Acquisition experts which maintains close links with business and industry. This cell is continuously engaged in promoting the employability of our participants and encouraging the concerned Human Resources department and Hiring Managers to recruit/hire our participants for their vacant positions. The efforts of our placement cell also include helping with professional resume writing & interview skills.

In recent months the Institute has witnessed more and more participation from professionals working with global healthcare giants like Healthcare Settings (Apollo, Max Healthcare, Fortis etc.), Corporate Wellness Centres (Amaha, Mantra Care, Nirawellness etc.), Health Coaching and Consultancy (The Health Science Academy, Aanya Wellness, Shreehi Consulting Services LLP etc.), Education and Training, NGO’s (Mind root Foundation, The MIND foundation etc.), and Private Practices etc.

Future career prospects

As the field of cultural psychology and psychiatry continues to advance, the PG Diploma/Executive Diploma in Cultural Psychology & Psychiatry will adapt to incorporate emerging research, interdisciplinary approaches, and innovations in culturally-informed mental health care delivery. With growing recognition of the importance of culturally responsive, person-centered, and rights-based mental health services, the programme will increasingly draw from psychology, psychiatry, public health, and clinical practice to address the complex interplay between culture, mental health, and social contexts. Future iterations will focus on specialized training for working with individuals experiencing cultural distress, identity challenges, acculturation stress, and the psychological impact of social marginalization or cultural conflict. The curriculum will also integrate digital tools such as tele-mental health and technology-assisted interventions, preparing graduates for both traditional and remote service delivery. Emphasis will be placed on culturally-sensitive assessment, collaborative care models, policy advocacy, resilience-building within diverse cultural contexts, and practitioner self-care and burnout prevention. Graduates will be well-equipped for careers in hospitals, mental health organizations, NGOs, educational institutions, government programs, and international development agencies engaged in culturally-informed mental health care, research, and policy.

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Programme Fee Details

For further enquiries, call or write to us on:
18001031071 (Toll Free -9:00 am to 5:30 pm IST-except on Central Government holidays)/ info@igmpi.ac.in