Nepal Team
This team consists of research staff from Tribhuvan University, Nepal and creative practitioners based in Nepal.
Dr Sandesh Dhakal
Sandesh is a lecturer at the Central Department of Psychology and coordinator of the Master’s in Counseling Psychology Program at Tribhuvan University in Nepal. He has extensive experience in teaching, research, and mentoring. He conducts research in a variety of fields, including adverse childhood experiences, mental health, post-traumatic growth, precarious manhood beliefs, and the effects of COVID-19, in collaboration with international partners from prestigious institutions. Through his participation in numerous committees and organizations, Sandesh actively contributes to the field. He also publishes frequently and gives presentations at conferences. He has won awards and grants in appreciation of his achievements. He works to improve mental health and the lives of people in various communities.
Deesis Aryal
Deesis is a Ph.D. scholar from Tribhuvan University (TU), Nepal. He has a genuine love for serving people, which has guided his academic journey. Currently, He is serving as a Project Manager in a project led by the Central Department of Psychology, TU.
Sadhana Thapa
Founder, Managing Director and Psycho-therapist at Atman Hospital and Hearing Center and part-time Faculty at Tribhuvan University, Masters in Counseling Psychology Department.
M.A in Expressive Arts Therapy European Graduate School, Saas-Fee, Switzerland
Masters in Social Work (MSW) St. Xavier’s College, Maitighar, Kathmandu
Sadhana Thapa is a pioneering figure in expressive arts therapy with over 10 years of experience. Known for her warm approach and expertise in individual and group therapy, she is deeply committed to addressing mental illness and improving lives across Nepal.
Ganesh Amgain
Ganesh is a Gestalt Psychotherapist and Dance Movement Therapist. He works as Psychotherapist and Mental Health Counsellor in Nirvana Psychosocial Care Centre & Research Institute. Followed by his Masters in Psychology, he is trained in Gestalt Psychotherapy, Dance Movement Therapy. He is also the Academician and Researcher. He is the faculty of psychology in Tri – Chandra Multiple Campus, and Masters in Counselling Psychology (MCP). As a researcher, his areas of interest are Applied Psychology mostly in Counselling and Psychotherapy and Social Psychology.
He has been practicing counselling since 2012 and psychotherapy since 2015. He believes in working with the multidisciplinary team that fosters holistic well-being in an individual. His therapeutic approaches are eclectic, mostly the blend of talk-based, arts and embodied movement-based psychotherapy. Alongside this, he also uses Yog, Tibetan Sound healing and Reiki in his practice among his clients. He believes “our body has the wisdom and inherent tendency to heal; we just need to find a way to listen to it.”
Aakriti Khanal
Aakriti Khanal holds an MA in Clinical Psychology from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. She has contributed to mental health research in Nepal through a study on the psychosocial wellbeing of persons with disabilities during COVID-19, assisting in the administration of standardized psychological measures data collection.
Aakriti has completed formal training in psychosocial counselling. She has gained supervised experience in community and clinical settings, providing psychosocial support and assisting with intake sessions, as well as group-based therapeutic and relaxation activities for diverse populations.
Grounded in a strong commitment to advancing mental health in Nepal, Aakriti aspires to contribute at the intersection of research and practice, with a focus on strengthening ethical, accessible, evidence-based psychosocial care. She is currently engaged in this project as a Research Assistant, reflecting her commitment to integrating research and practice.
Sujan Jirel
Sujan has completed a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Tribhuvan University.
His academic background is complemented by practical experience in psychological services through academic engagements and specialized training in mental health. He has a keen interest in adolescent mental health and is driven to make a meaningful contribution to the field of psychology. He is currently serving as a Research Assistant on this project, where he aims to further develop his research expertise and advance his professional growth.