Rev. Dr. Jose Mappilamattel, CMI was born of the couple Elizabeth and Joseph on July 23, 1954, at Anicadu, Muvattupuzha. Having completed his high school education, he entered the CMI (Carmelites of Mary Immaculate) Congregation and was ordained priest on May 8, 1985 and started his priestly ministry.

After successful ministries in the congregation in different fields such as Vocation Director, Boarding House Rector and Director, Carmel Prayer Group, Dr. Jose joined Dharmaram College, Bangalore and took his Master’s Degree in Theology with Pastoral Counseling specialization. He joined the Sopanam Family Counseling center at Adimaly and worked as counselor.

On November 28, 1993 Dr. Jose opened the Jyothidarsana Counseling center at Thodupuzha, Kerala, India. After working 3 years as counselor at the Center, in 1997 he moved to USA for higher studies. He joined Marist College, Poughkeepsie, one of the prestigious colleges in upstate New York, and obtained his Masters Degree in Psychology with a specialization in Counseling in the year 2000. He earned his PhD in Psychology from Southern California University for Professional Studies in 2005.

Dr. Jose also did a 2 year Post Graduate Program in Family, Child and Marital Therapy at St. John’s University, New York. He worked as Substance Abuse Counselor and Hospital Chaplain at St. Charles Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, Port Jefferson, NY and counselor at Be Well Counseling Center, Miller Place, NY.