‘Justice is more than conviction’: ADG CID Charu Sinha, IPS on counselling innovations for survivors

Hyderabad: Telangana Women Safety Wing (WSW) has introduced a new counselling technique to strengthen the emotional rehabilitation of survivors of sexual abuse, rape, and domestic violence.

The Phyllis Krystal method, a technique based on Carl Jung's school of Psychotherapy, is a symbolic visualization-based approach aimed at helping victims release traumas and rebuild courage, resilience, and inner strength.

In a conversation with NewsMeter, ADG CID Charu Sinha, who oversees Bharosa and CDEW counselling centres across Telangana, explains the thought behind this initiative, its implementation, and the broader vision of integrating therapeutic healing within victim care.

Excerpts:

On the Need and Vision Behind the Training

NM: What prompted you to introduce Phyllis Krystal’s psychotherapy techniques in the Bharosa and CDEW counsellor training framework?

Charu Sinha: Over the years, we’ve seen how victims, especially survivors of sexual violence or domestic abuse, struggle with intense emotions like anger, fear, shame, and guilt. Traditional counselling helps them narrate what happened and prepare their legal statements, but emotional healing takes much longer.

The Phyllis Krystal Psychotherapy method provides practical visualization tools that help victims release trauma at a deeper level. It helps them calm down, release the trauma and its effect on them, become coherent, manage anxiety, their fears, the stigma of society, and feel safe enough to cooperate with investigations and legal proceedings. We wanted our counsellors to be equipped with such methods that focus not only on the mind but also on emotional and energetic healing of the victims and their parents, too. A family approach is central to this vision as we needed to help the entire family heal from the trauma, shame, guilt, and fear, and face society once again from a position of strength. So, mental and emotional rehabilitation is what we hope to achieve.

NM: How do these visualization-based techniques complement traditional trauma counselling methods?

Charu Sinha: They complement each other well. Traditional counselling involves listening, validation, and guidance, but many survivors, especially children or those from rural areas, cannot express complex emotions verbally. Visualizations, like imagining a golden star to release fear, Maypole to connect deeply within, or a Circle of Light to protect their personal spaces, allow them to process fear, grief, and anger without needing advanced psychological vocabulary. It becomes a simple, accessible “toolbox” for emotional release.

NM: Was there a specific gap or challenge in the counselling process that this training sought to address?

Charu Sinha: Yes. Many counsellors found it difficult to help victims who remained emotionally `stuck’, in grief, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Survivors may agree to record a statement, but still carry deep fear or trauma that scars their whole life and affects their progress later. The techniques introduced here, especially exercises like the Maypole Meditation, help the victim settle down almost instantly. We’ve seen resistant or agitated children visibly calm down after a single session.

On Implementation and Counsellor Response

NM: How did the counsellors and support persons respond to these new therapeutic tools during the training?

Charu Sinha: The response was very encouraging. We trained around 120 counsellors from across 33 Bharosa Centres and 30 CDEW units. Half of them handle sexual assault survivors, and the other half handle domestic violence cases. Many counsellors who were required to practice themselves first reported personal benefits too; they felt calmer and more centred while practising these techniques. Many of them were able to release their personal traumas, too.

NM: Did any particular technique resonate strongly with participants?

Charu Sinha: The Maypole Meditation stood out as the foundational exercise. It helps victims connect deeply within, before beginning any counselling. Another powerful one is the Snake on the Tree visualization. It’s a quick way to ease emotional intensity when someone feels overwhelmed. And the third one is the monkey mind technique, which helps a mad monkey mind thinking 1000 thoughts a minute, to calm down.

NM: How is Bharosa ensuring these methods are practiced consistently post-training? Are there follow-up refresher sessions planned?

Charu Sinha: Yes. Each counsellor will continue practising and applying the techniques with the victims. They report daily feedback from sessions. There are recordings in English, Telugu, and Hindi, so victims can listen and practice at home. Refresher and review sessions are continuing, based on feedback from the centres.

On the Impact on Survivors

NM: How do you foresee these techniques helping survivors of sexual assault or domestic violence manage fear, guilt, or emotional numbness?

Charu Sinha: Survivors often live in constant fear, especially when the accused lives nearby or when community pressures demand compromise. These exercises help them find emotional strength and courage to continue with the case and their lives. The idea is to help them feel safe, stable, and less burdened by shame or fear, and release the trauma.

NM: Have there been any early indicators or feedback suggesting improvement in emotional regulation or engagement?

Charu Sinha: Yes, definitely. We’ve already observed changes. Within three days of practising, some survivors who had left began returning to the centres willingly, more openly and confidently. They were ready to give their statements. Counsellors report that survivors are calmer, more communicative, and more hopeful.

NM: Many survivors come from varied cultural and linguistic backgrounds. How are counsellors adapting these symbolic visualizations to be culturally sensitive and relatable?

Charu Sinha: The symbols used in the Phyllis Krystal method are simple to practice and can be comprehended even by a 5-year-old child. Counsellors explain them in the local language and cultural context. We have also translated materials into regional languages so that victims connect better with the imagery.

On the Institutional and Policy Perspective

NM: How does this initiative align with Telangana’s broader strategy for holistic victim care through Bharosa Centres?

Charu Sinha: Bharosa’s philosophy has always been holistic. It’s not just about legal assistance but also about emotional recovery. This initiative strengthens that vision, ensuring that survivors don’t just give statements but also regain mental strength, resilience, and courage to rebuild their lives.

On Long-Term Support and Expansion

NM: How can community volunteers or NGOs working in allied areas be trained in such methods for wider impact?

Charu Sinha: We are open to collaborations. Once the system is established and results are documented, similar training can be extended to NGOs and community workers who engage with survivors. It’s a simple method, so with proper supervision, it can be widely taught.

NM: What is your long-term vision for emotional healing as part of women's safety and justice delivery in Telangana?

Charu Sinha: My vision is that every survivor who walks into a Bharosa Centre should walk out feeling dignified, lighter, hopeful, fearless, and stronger. Justice is not just about conviction; it’s also about restoring dignity and inner peace. These techniques are small but powerful steps in that direction.