In view of the growing need for counseling in India, the Mar Thoma Church Sabha Council resolved to set up the "Thomas Mar Athanasius Counselling Centre" in 1984. The Centre was renamed as TMA Institute of Counselling in 2003 consequent to the inclusion of training and research facilities in the scope of the institution. The institute aims at providing counseling service to all who go through emotional and spiritual crisis - persons, families and groups. The institute also aims at providing training and conducting research in the field of pastoral counseling and psychotherapy.