Dr. Fr. John Thomas

Chairperson – BSSS SAATH Counselling Cell

Dr. Fr. John Thomas is a seasoned academic, counsellor, and educational administrator with deep expertise in counselling, guidance, family studies, and human development. He holds a Ph.D. in Family Studies (Counselling and Guidance) from Manila, Philippines, along with advanced training in family ministries and counselling from the Loyola School of Theology, Quezon City.

With a strong interdisciplinary academic foundation spanning Psychology-related counselling, Sociology, Philosophy, Theology, and Education, Dr. Fr. John Thomas brings a holistic and value-based perspective to psychological support and student well-being. His academic qualifications include M.A. in Sociology, B.Ed, and professional training in counselling and guidance, enabling him to address personal, familial, academic, and psychosocial concerns with sensitivity and depth.

Dr. Fr. John Thomas has also served in key leadership roles in educational institutions, including as Vice Principal of St. Joseph Higher Secondary School, Pipariya, and Manager of Kripa Sagar High School, Fatehpur, where he worked closely with students, teachers, and families, addressing behavioural, emotional, and developmental challenges.

As Chairperson of BSSS SAATH, he provides strategic leadership, ethical oversight, and pastoral-psychological guidance, ensuring that counselling services remain compassionate, inclusive, culturally sensitive, and professionally grounded. His approach emphasizes preventive mental health care, family-centred counselling, value-based guidance, and student welfare.

Dr. Leema Jacob

Clinical Director & Lead Psychologist

Clinical psychologist and Vice Principal at BSSS, specializing in adolescent mental health, counselling, neuroscience, and evidence-based interventions.

Dr. Leema Jacob is a clinical psychologist, researcher, and mental health practitioner with strong specialization in adolescent mental health, clinical counselling, social cognition, and neuroscience. She holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from CHRIST University, Bengaluru, with postgraduate training in Clinical Psychology, and extensive hands-on experience across hospitals, schools, counselling centres, and academic institutions. Her professional journey uniquely integrates clinical practice, counselling, research, and academic leadership. Dr. Jacob has served as a School Counsellor, Clinical Counsellor, Head of Department, and currently holds the position of Vice Principal at BSSS College, Bhopal, bringing both administrative insight and deep clinical sensitivity to her counselling role. A key highlight of her counselling contribution is the development and validation of a patented Social Cognitive Skills Training Program (A-SCST) aimed at improving psychological well-being among late adolescents. This evidence-based intervention reflects her commitment to structured, outcome-oriented mental health care. She holds a patent for this work and has published extensively, including SCOPUS-indexed research in clinical psychology, neuroscience, empathy, social cognition, and well-being.

Dr. Vinay Mishra

Chief Counselling Advisor & Senior Psychotherapist (Founding Mentor – BSSS SAATH)

Distinguished psychologist, psychotherapist, academician, and mentor with decades of national and international experience.

Dr. Vinay Mishra is a distinguished psychologist, psychotherapist, trainer, and Professor of Psychology with decades of experience in counselling, psychotherapy, behavioural assessment, and mental health intervention. He holds the rare distinction of being one of the first Indian psychologists to study human behaviour in Antarctica as part of the 20th Indian Scientific Expedition to the South Pole, reflecting his deep engagement with extreme-environment psychology and human resilience. Dr. Mishra is an academic achiever of the highest order, having been a state first position holder in Madhya Pradesh in his Intermediate examination, a university topper at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and a National Merit Scholar. Though selected by UPSC for the Combined Defence Services, he consciously chose a lifelong commitment to psychology, counselling, and academics. His counselling expertise is enriched by international training and exposure. He has received formal training in psychotherapy in the United States under the Denver International Program, Theme-Centred Interaction (TCI) in Switzerland, and Sex Therapy from the Centre of Sex Education and Parenthood. He has actively applied these skills during his professional association with the Family Planning Association of India (FPAI) and while training doctors in Sri Lanka on adolescent sexuality and mental health. Dr. Mishra has also served as a Cultural Ambassador of India to the USA, and regularly contributes to national and regional newspapers on psychological well-being, social behaviour, and mental health awareness. His contribution to mental health literacy includes authoring books for Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and FPAI, along with his widely appreciated books Everyday Psychology (2017) and Dainik Jeevan Mein Manovigyan.