At the 47th NACIACP (2021)
At the 47th NACIACP (2021)

As a mental health professional (Clinical Psychologist), I have dedicated my professional career to training, research, and clinical work in the field of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry. I have conducted training of postgraduate students in Psychiatry and other specialised fields. My responsibilities have extended to supervising advanced course trainees in psychiatry, focusing on psychological assessments and psychotherapeutic interventions.

My commitment to education and advocacy is evident in my lectures on gender sensitization and my role as an invited speaker at over 135 scientific forums. With more than 173 publications in various indexed national and international journals of repute, I have significantly contributed to the advancement of clinical psychology. My editorial roles include serving as I have been the Editor-in-Chief of the PubMed-indexed Industrial Psychiatry Journal . from 2001 to December 2020, a role that has allowed me to influence and shape the field significantly. I was also Editor of “Handbook of Forensic Psychology”. Additionally, Co-Editor of the “Handbook of Counseling in HIV,” editions of the “Handbook of Undergraduate Psychiatry,” and the “Handbook of Basic Psychiatry”

I was member of the interview board for MBBS admissions at AFMC, where I have also contributed to developing mental health tools and modules for psychotherapeutic interventions. I have also been instrumental in the development and standardization of a Psychological Assessment Inventory for MBBS Admissions.

My role as Principal Investigator of a sub-task project in the DRDO-based Indo-UK Research Project titled “Gender Integration and Resilience Building for Optimizing Military Performance” has been a highlight of my career. This project allowed me to explore and provide evidence for strategies that enhance psychological well-being, marking a significant contribution to the field.

Moreover, I spearheaded the development of MANAS (“Mental Health and Normalcy Augmentation System”) , which was endorsed as a National Program by the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC). MANAS is designed to provide positive mental health interventions for individuals aged 15 to 35 and has been a project under the office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India. This app, featuring modules on good sleep, mindfulness, and social connectedness, is a testament to my commitment to enhancing mental health, and it is available for download from the Google Play Store.

My expertise led to my engagement as an expert in the EG-3 Subgroup II Thematic Group for Behavioral Health Training Content . In this capacity, I developed modules on grief counseling and the mental health of children during the COVID-19 pandemic for the iGOT HRH Cell Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Nirman Bhawan. This role was part of a thematic group from AYUSH/Allied and Healthcare Science, tasked with developing the desired training content.

Throughout my career, I have held prestigious positions such as the Immediate Past President of the Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists from 2019 to February 2021 and President of the Association of Industrial Psychiatry of India (2023 onwards). My collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to provide information and guidelines on managing distress during the pandemic from 2019 to 2021 has been especially fulfilling. Additionally, I am a member of the Expert Committee in the Rehabilitation Council of India .