In view of the growing need for counselling in India, the Mar Thoma Church started the "Thomas Mar Athanasius Counselling Centre" in 1984. The Centre was renamed as Thomas Mar Athanasius Institute of Counselling (TMAIC) in 2003 consequent to the inclusion of training and research facilities.The Institute is affiliated to the Serampore University and serves as a programme study centre of Indira Gandhi National Open University. The Institute has been rendering counselling service, training and research guidance for the past 36 years.