Below you will find information about all of your facilitators, as well as a document containing further reading at the bottom of the page. As this program’s content is so varied, we thought it important to provide you with some initial reading in advance of the start of the program.
Please note, the information contained within is by no means complete or exhaustive. However, it is a good place to start and will give you some of the background information we believe is necessary to help you make the most of this unique experience.
Please also be aware that to avoid any whitewashing of topics we engaged a researcher of Indian heritage to help keep the language and information as culturally and historically accurate as possible. This may mean you occasionally come across language or accounts of historical events that are unfamiliar to you. We ask you to approach this with curiosity and not judgment, as you are also likely to encounter diverse perspectives throughout the program.
Rachna
is a clinical psychologist based in India and has worked extensively in the areas of child and adolescent psychology, interpersonal dynamics, de-addiction, habit and impulse control disorders, depression and anxiety. She specialises in mindfulness-based interventions.
Priyanka
is a Psychiatric social worker. This is a hugely important role involves providing mental health services to individuals with severe needs. From performing psychotherapy to diagnostics, duties vary according to the work setting.
Nivendra
is a trained Counselling Psychologist and Psychotherapist with six years of experience providing mental health services in Sri Lanka.
Swamiwahanse
is a Buddhist monk based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He is committed to preserving the original teachings of the Buddha and works with the youth in Sri Lanka to encourage the Buddhist way of life.
Mirna
is an interpersonal skills trainer and coach, specialising in positive psychology training and interventions, and a founder of Happiness Academy and Trainers Toolbox.
One of the first people in Europe holding a Masters of Applied Positive Psychology from Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, she works internationally with organisations and individuals in numerous European countries.
Martina
is a psychologist and a gestalt psychotherapist under supervision. She has been providing and developing different forms of psychosocial support to specific vulnerable groups like children at risk, migrants and refugees and victims of family violence. Martina manages a Centre for Children, Youth and Family and works as a trainer for different training programs in providing psychosocial support in Croatia and internationally.
Lee
is a trained counsellor, yoga instructor, breathwork coach and mental health advocate. Her passion is global mental health and promoting the benefits of Eastern modalities to support those with mental health concerns to a Western audience.
She will be leading the workshops on Yoga for Mental Health and Breathwork.
Program Schedule*
Day One
1pm – 3pm Introduction to ACT – Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
3:30pm – 5:30pm The Role of a Psychiatric Social Worker
Day Two
1pm – 3pm Working With Trauma in Sri Lanka
3:30pm – 5pm Mindfulness from a Buddhist Perspective
Day Three
1pm – 3pm – Day One of Working With Post Conflict Communities Certification
3:30 – 6pm – Positive Psychology and Flow
Day Four
1pm – 3pm – Day Two of Working With Post Conflict Communities Certification
3:30 – 5:30pm – Yoga for Mental Health
Day Five
1 – 3pm Breathwork for Mental Health
3:30 – 5:30pm Reflections and Closing
*please note that as we are working across four time zones this schedule is subject to change.