About Samarpan

Dr Harish Shetty is a practising Psychiatrist with a postgraduate degree in Psychological Medicine and a postgraduate diploma in Comparative mythology from Bombay University. He completed his MBBS, DPM and MD from T. N. Medical College and Seth G. S. Medical College respectively.

Dr Harish Shetty has immense experience in School Mental Health and has conducted workshops for students, teachers, School Heads & the Non-teaching staff for more than two decades. Dr Harish Shetty is working in the area of ‘suicide prevention and is actively working in schools and colleges. Dr Shetty has several National and International Publications to his credit.

He is an Associate Professor of Global Mental Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK. His research interests encompass global mental health, and particularly development and testing of contextually appropriate complex interventions for a range of mental health and substance use disorders He is also actively involved in the capacity building of mental health researchers and lay health workers across the world.

An Author & Motivational Speaker, Dr Vaishnav is a visionary in the field of psychiatry since 40 years & among the pioneers to propagate healthy mental health. He has travelled the journey from being MBBS Student at B J Medical college in 1973 to MD in psychiatry in 1981.

Being inspired by ever energetic and youthful father late Dharnidhar Prasad & Enthusiastic and golden hearted mother Pramodaben, Dr. Vaishnav was achieving one after other milestones in his life. He is known for his contribution and services to remote places & Rural India for Mental Health & Sexual health awareness.

Dr. Azhar Hakim is a physician, psychotherapist and a transformational coach who integrates knowledge technologies from medicine, neuroscience, psychology, philosophy and spirituality to enable individuals and families to create transformative change. He holds an MBBS degree from Nair Hospital, Mumbai, a Master’s degree from Washington University in St Louis, USA and Diplomate in Co-Occurring Disorders treatment also from the USA.

Dr. Hakim brings to Samarpan his rich and diverse experience spanning leadership positions in the US and India. He has served as Director of Operations and Programming at the Catholic Charities Comprehensive Substance Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation (CSTAR) program in the USA. He also served as an Adjunct Professor on the faculty at Washington University in St Louis, USA where he taught Master’s level courses on Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders and Mental Health Disorders.

Dr. Hakim uses principles of the 12 Step Program, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Enhancement Therapy to help individuals resolve the underlying issues that manifest in psychological distress and addictive behaviors. He does the same kind of therapeutic work with family members to give the family system the greatest chance of success and move family members toward healthy and vibrant relationships. His 18+ years of professional expertise and his own personal experiences with addiction have equipped him to deeply empathize and connect with individuals and then motivate them to engage with and commit to the work that is necessary for meaningful change.

Miranda Deonarain is a qualified Clinical Psychologist with extensive experience in working with trauma recovery, behavioural and substance addictions, eating disorders and other metal health issues. She has worked with individuals, couples, families and groups. She works in within the paradigms of CBT and DBT.

She has 31 years of experience working in provincial hospitals in South Africa such as King Edward V111 and King George V.

She has worked for 10 years as the Head of Psychology at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Johannesburg and had both qualified and intern psychologists working under her. She then relocated to Durban to run a private practice doing medico legal work and individual psychotherapy with clients.

She has worked for a number of rehabilitation centres such as Jullo, Riverview Manor and the Cedars private addiction center.

She has lectured at the University of UKZN in Abnormal psychology and Psychotherapeutic models and assessments. She has trained Clinical Psychologists at UKZN and focused on both the selection process as well as report writing skills and Psychopathology.

Oral presentations, Panels and academic contributions:

• South African Renal Society (1998)
• Won David Hepburn Award (1998) for most innovative work in the field of nephrology and psychology
• Suicidology conference -2000 10-year study of Black patients’ suicide patterns at Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital
• Substance abuse and pressures of university -2018- Drama Department, College of Humanities - UKZN

Associations and Affiliations

• Health Professional Council of South Africa (HPCSA)
• Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF)
• Board of Addiction Professionals in South Africa (BAPSA)

A well-known and highly respected Consultant Psychiatrist practicing in Mumbai for almost two decades, Dr. Deshpande undertook his Post Graduation in Psychological Medicine from King Edward Memorial Hospital and Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College, Mumbai.

After training at the Centre of Excellence in Deaddiction at KEM Hospital, Dr. Deshpande initiated community programmes for alcohol and drug rehabilitation. He has worked closely with NGOs and Self- Help Groups to de-stigmatize chemical dependency and help the suffering. He was appointed as the Class A trustee of the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous India and has the distinction of being the longest serving Class A trustee till now.

In recognition of his expertise in the field of mental health and addiction, he has been invited as a specialist speaker at prestigious national and international fora. He also made an appearance as a deaddiction specialist on an episode in ‘Satyameva Jayate’ – a TV show hosted by Aamir Khan.

Dr. Vatsala W. Thakur is a psychologist, psychotherapist and a life coach who encompasses an eclectic blend of therapy modalities like existential, interpersonal, cognitive behavioural, integrative, transactional analysis, humanistic, family, relationship and client- centered approaches which have proven helpful in treating psychological, adjustments, behavioural and relationship issues in her clients enabling lifelong growth and transformation.

She holds a PhD degree in Psychology, Master in Business Administration (MBA) and is trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (Beck Institute for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Pennsylvania, USA), Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (INVIVO) and Transactional Analysis.

Dr. Vatsala has vast and enriching experience of 22 years in the field of Mental Health and Education. She comes from army background and had opportunity to work pan India with children, adolescents, adult and geriatric population.

• She has the experience of working with defence personnel and their families, civilians and parents of special children
• Her stint at the NGO, Women’s Graduate Union, Mumbai, gave her the opportunity to work with the underprivileged women and children
• She has conducted workshops, lectures and webinars on marital harmony, familial issues, stress, anxiety, anger management, post - traumatic stress disorder, depression, trauma, loneliness, adjustment issues, education in human sexuality, communication skills et cetera,
• She has been affiliated with esteemed institutions like the Police Academies, several Army and Naval Institutions, Government Law College, Mumbai, SAVJ Girls College, Sri Ganganagar, Army and Public Schools.
• Dr. Vatsala, has held the portfolio of
  • Director, Sri Atam Vallabh Jain Girls College, Sri Ganganagar
  • Academic Counsellor, IGNOU
  • Counsellor, Women’s Graduate Union, Mumbai
  • Clinical Psychologist, College of Nursing Indian Naval Hospital Ship (INHS) Asvini
  • Clinical Psychologist, AAROGYADHAM
  • Centre for Positive Health, SHO, Indian Navy, Mumbai
  • Clinical Psychologist, SANKALP, NWWA Special Education Centre, Mumbai
  • Lecturer, College of Nursing, INHS, Asvini, Mumbai.

Dr. Vatsala is fiercely committed to helping one resolve personal challenges with effective therapeutic approach, in order to bring real and sustainable change for a positive and lasting impact in life, results of which are evident in the many lives she has helped transform.

Ms. Tanushri Talekar is certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Hypnotherapy (2 levels) and Transactional Analysis (T.A.). She is currently pursuing Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR).

She holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from SNDT Women’s University in the city of Mumbai.

Ms. Tanushri has over 13 years of experience in dealing with psychological and psychiatric issues and was associated with Masina Hospital, Byculla, Mumbai as a Consultant Psychologist and Psychotherapist for 10 of these years.

Over these years, Tanushri has been involved in various aspects of Mental Healthcare and uses an eclectic approach depending on the presenting issues of concerns.

Some of her areas of expertise include:

• Clinical Assessments and diagnosis
• Individual Counseling & Psychotherapy - adults
• Individual Counseling & Psychotherapy - children and adolescents
• Couple & Marital counseling
• Corporate Mental Health Awareness Programs.
• Medico legal counselling
• Educational workshops in schools on topics like anger management, time management, addiction etc.
• Parenting education and counseling
• Pre-natal and postpartum counseling

She is passionate about spreading awareness about Mental health through her articles for various online media platforms like The Indian express, The free press journal, First post, Tweak India, Times now, Marathi, PopXo marathi.