IIDP

Institute of Psychosomatic Dermatology is an organisation to promote a holistic approach in both clinical management and research in Dermatology.

The seeds of the idea of such an Institute were sown by the clinical experience of Dr. Ram Malkani since increasingly he observed moderate to severe dermatosis were either triggered or accompanied by unresolved psychological distress. This was possible since Dr. Malkani had been sensitized through his experience of fifteen years in Psychoanalyses.

The Institute was formed in 1982 by DR. Ram Malkani one of the seniormost Dermatologist in India and Dr. Vijay Thakur a psychotherapist practitioner and researcher in 1982.

Dr Vijay Thakur is a Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) Passed in 1976 - Grant Medical College (University of Bombay)

Membership to Policy Making Organisations

Member- Technical Resource Group (Counselling) NACO (GOI) – 2001
Member- Technical Resource Group (Targeted interventions) NACO (GOI) -1998-2000
Member- Expert Committee on Prostitution- National Commission For Women (GOI)- 1995-1998
Member of Team to assist 7 States in the North- East of India, Assisted NGOs and Health ministry to develop HIV/AODS related Program Proposals; UNDP Regional HIV/AIDS Program.1991-1992
Member of Asia Pacific HIV/AIDS Ethics and Law Group formed at Cebu, Philippines, UNDP Regional HIV/AIDS Program.1991-1992

Other Training

Training in Psychoanalysis- Mr. R.B Shah, Psychoanalyst- Indian Council for Mental Health, 1977-1978
To on early Childhood Education, High Sscope Foundation, Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA, July 1989-September 1989.
Six Weeks Exchange Programme- Australian Federation of AIDS Organisation (AFO), Canberra, October 1989- 15th November 1989.
Law, Ethics and HIV-UNDP Intercountry Consultation Workshops, UNDP, Cebu, Philippines; 3-6 May 1993.

Project/Programme	Institute	Designation	No. of year Experience
Training of Trainers for Peer Education for NGO partners of Avert Society	BIRDS HIV and Training and Network Center	Team Leader	Three years- till date
Freres De Nos Freres- HIV related Interventions	Freres De Nos Freres	Program Coordinator	Ten years to till date
Inter aide- HIV Related Interventions	Inter aide	Representative and Program Coordinator	Five years
Aga Khan Education Services- School Improvement Programme	Aga Khan Education Services	Consultant	Four years
Psychotherapy services for adult’s with psychological distress and services for children with special needs in Mumbai and Bangalore	Center for Applied Research in Epistemology	Director	Four years
Community Psychiatry Programs – Republic of Ireland	Community Psychiatry Programs – Republic of Ireland	Observer, Senior Registrar, Volunteer	Two years
Research in Psychological aspects of dermatological problems.	Institute of psychosomatic dermatology	Research Director	Two years
Psychotherapy Practice	Psychotherapy Personal practice	Psychotherapist	Eleven Years

A clinical Psychologist joined the Institute in 1983 and selected patients were tested with internationally standardized Instruments for both simple and complex psychological distress and dysfunctions. The Institute was further inspired by the findings of the “Study on Psychological Profile of Common Dermatosis”a thesis conclude at the Jaslok Hospital and Research Center in 2008

With the emergent field of psychoendocrinology laboratory tests were included in the research protocols. The first landmark study was done with the levels of prolactin in acne and the results were encouraging

VISION: To provide the highest quality of holistic treatment for patients with dermatoses through both research and practice.

MISSION: To use the resources both financial and human to promote research and practice of a psychosomatic an integrative approach in the management of dermatoses.

GOAL: to train at least 50 dermatologist in the psychosomatic approach, to conduct at least 4 research in psychosomatic dermatology and to provide holistic treatment to at least 1000 patients with dermatoses within the next 5 years.

At present the Institute has to centers one at Sion and another at Peddar Road Mumbai. It is planned that 2 more centres will be set up in Navi Mumbai and Dadar.

The Institute grants free membership to all practitioners of holistic medicine free of cost and would welcome their contributions to the present team.