True to its original mission, Aks continues to actively provide Individual and Couples Counseling on a weekly basis to individuals from all over Pune and Mumbai. Aks offers on going Group Counseling for individuals struggling with life stressors. The Group is open to individuals struggling with sadness, loneliness, stress and depression. The Confidential Group is an open group and interested people can join at any point.

Aks continues to provide ongoing workshops for upcoming therapists on topics like Basic Counseling Skills, Grief, Trauma, Crisis Intervention and a wide range of other topics. Those of you who are interested please email barkha@askaks.com Lookout for more workshops in the Events Column of ‘Pune Times’, Times of India .

Aks is happy to announce its collaboration with ‘FREE’ a non-profit organization based in Pune. Aks will conduct ‘Life skills and Personality Development Workshops’ for children impacted by HIV in collaboration with FREE. The aim of the workshop is to help children impacted by HIV dream of a life full of possibilities and help them attain these dreams. Aks will provide training to volunteers of FREE in order to work with the children on a regular basis. A gamut of issues like confidence building, self esteem building and personality enhancement will be addressed in the trainings.

A Weekend Workshop on ‘Enhancing your Emotional Partnership’. The workshop is aimed at couples. It will focus on topics like communication, trust, respect, accountability and love. The workshop will be interactive and full of games and activities.

A Parenting Workshop will be conducted by Aks to help parents understand and work with their children better. The workshop is aimed at helping parents understand their child in terms of the child’s development, teaching discipline skills and building a healthy trusting relationship with the child.

Aks Counseling and Training Agency in collaboration with Pune’s leading artist Sonali Lohia presents the unique opportunity to discover yourself through art psychology. “True Colors” is a one day workshop designed to help you find your true reflection through art and color.

Aks Counseling and Training agency organized, Take Back the Night, 2010 on 30th April to mark Sexual Assault awareness month. After the overwhelming response to the sexual assault rally in 2009, Aks decided to Take Back the Night with a difference. Aks organized a panel discussion to talk about the pertinent topic of Sexual Assault and Stalking. The color purple representing the fight against sexual assault was worn with pride as everyone had a purple ribbon pinned to show their solidarity towards the cause. The panelists were Mrs. Sheode, a lawyer who works closely with the police, Dr.Ruksheda Syeda, a psychiatrist who joined the panel all the way from Mumbai, Ms. Suchitra Date, a counselor and founder member of SWADHARMs. Yogita M Apte a social worker from ASHA, Dr. Philomena Shinde, a gynecologist, Inspector Mridula Karwande from Mahila Sahay Kaksh and Barkha Bajaj, a psychologist who is also the Director and Founder of Aks Counseling and Training agency. Barkha Bajaj, was the moderator of the discussion and the audience was encouraged to ask questions to the panelists. Around 70 people attended Take Back the Night and openly participated in the discussion. Various pertinent issues like the physical and psychological impact of abuse and reporting procedures were discussed. The Inspector provided a lot of information on reporting and also shared cases that come to the Mahila Sahay Kaksh. The panel discussion was followed by a candle light vigil before the evening was concluded with refreshments provided by High Spirits.
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April is celebrated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month world over and to mark this occasion Aks Counseling and Training Agency organized Take Back the Night on the 26th of April in Pune. The event was an attempt to reclaim the night and spread awareness about sexual assault. The event was a success as 50 of us walked on MG Road shouting slogans and carrying posters to spread awareness about this heinous crime. The walk was followed by a talk about sexual assault and a candle light vigil for victims against sexual assault which was attended by 75 people across all age groups. As a gesture of concern, it was decided that Aks Counseling and Training Agency would provide a free initial consultation for all victims of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence. We thank Pune and celebrate its spirit for joining us for this wonderful cause.
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