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About Us
Our Core Team
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Hemanti Sikdar
Founder, Healing Nest
Hemanti Sikdar is a child psychologist and an art-based therapy practitioner. Mental health is her passion, and she believes in simple yet creative ways to bring about positive emotional, social, and cognitive changes in children and their families. As founder and director of the organization, she plays various roles. Sometimes you can see her as a therapist working with a child, other times, she is a trainer or a friend who listens, sometimes a counselor but always a nurturing mother. She has been working exclusively in special needs and family counseling for over 10 years and has previously worked with Children First and Udayan Care. After a Bachelor in Psychology (Hons) from Delhi University, she pursued a Masters in Counseling Psychology from Amity University. She streamlined her focus to working extensively with children with her Post Graduation Diploma in Child Guidance and Counseling from NIPCCD and further specialized in Arts-Based therapy from WLCC. Hemanti has an “ instant connection” with any child who walks in. She is spontaneous, playful, intuitive, and compassionate when working with children. Her love and passion for working with children were the driving force for her to imagine, develop, and establish a nurturing space that is the Healing Nest.
Sagar M.
Founder & Director, Titli School
Sagar is a Sailor by profession but a child at heart. His spontaneity in connecting with children (including his own) helped him develop an interest in child development. He is the founder & director of the Titli School. Sagar envisioned an organization like Titli to make an inclusive bridge for underprivileged and children with special needs.
Sagar believes in the importance of spreading mental health awareness to even the smaller towns of the country and hopes that one-day Titli School will be reachable and approachable to everybody. He feels there is no end to learning and growing and to following one's dream.
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Vivek Khanna
National Head – Operations & Growth, Healing Nest
Vivek Khanna brings over 17 years of experience in leading healthcare ventures across India and global markets—including the US and UK. From hospital operations to diagnostics, mental health, home care, and public health initiatives, his journey reflects a deep commitment to patient-centric, impact-driven transformation.
He has worked across the spectrum—from setting diagnostics startups to donor-backed projects, and high-impact health tech ventures. His experience spans partnerships with WHO, IFC (World Bank) and several reputed hospitals and healthcare brands. Known for his ability to turn around legacy institutions and scale new initiatives from scratch, Vivek specializes in bridging grassroots needs with systems thinking. He brings deep insights into diagnsotics, hospital, school & government collaboration models, and integrative child psychology.
His aim is to make Healing Nest a national benchmark for holistic and inclusive care in preventive & curative health diagnostics—where government, hospitals, clinicians, caregivers, schools, and families become one collaborative ecosystem.
With a hands-on, founder-style approach, Vivek combines clinical empathy with operational precision—bringing strategy, sustainability, and storytelling together to grow the Healing Nest mission's new chapter.
Our Mentors- Guiding Lights, Inspiring Minds
Rochana Ghosh
Rochana ma'am is a special educator with 30+ years of experience in both non-profit and mainstreamed schools serving children with special needs. Since joining a mainstreamed school in New Delhi from 2002 April known for its pioneering role in providing inclusive education. Rochana ma'am has taught children with various disabilities at several grade levels. Having experienced the success and challenges of inclusive education she is committed to positivity transforming the pedagogical experience of inclusivity for both neuro-typical students and students with special needs. She has received a postgraduate degree in special education from AADI, Northern India. In her Fulbright DAT project, Rochana ma'am have studied how children with special needs make social contacts and the role a school environment and teachers can play in facilitating a healthy social ecosystem. She has also written a chapter Amplifying Learning in Special Education in the book ‘Amplifying Learning A Global Collaboration. Her education has provided many opportunities for her to give back to special education.
Rochana ma’am, one of our beloved mentors in the Titli programme, is the heart and spirit of so much that we have achieved. Her boundless enthusiasm, unwavering dedication, and zest to grow have carried us forward and shaped the journey we are on today. Our mentors are the roots of Titli – grounding us, nurturing us, and helping us bloom. For them, Titli is not just work, it is part of their head, heart, and soul. The children see them as their own, finding love, trust, and guidance in their care. They inspire us every day to dream bigger, work harder, and take this programme to even greater heights.
Medha
Medha ma'am has over 30 years of experience working to improve health, gender equality, and community wellbeing in India. She has done research, training, and advocacy projects with NGOs, research groups, and grassroots organisations. Her work includes senior roles at the Society for Applied Studies, PURWA, and ADITHI. She also serves as a Legal Expert on an ethics committee and is a Board Member of TAAL. She works with children, promotes reading, runs a mobile library, and teaches reading and writing. She believes in learning alongside the children as she teaches. She is also an animal lover, caring deeply for the welfare of all living beings.
Medha ma’am, with her deep passion for spreading literacy, found her calling in the Titli programme. She dedicates her time, energy, and heart to working with each child, guiding them with patience and care. Her unwavering commitment and gentle determination make a lasting difference in the lives she touches.
Meet the Healing Nest Team – Therapists Dedicated to Mental Wellness
Hemanti Sikdar
(Founder)
Hemanti Sikdar, founder of the Healing Nest , is a child psychologist and certified art-based therapy practitioner with over 10 years of experience in special needs and family counseling. She holds degrees from Delhi University, Amity University, NIPCCD, and WLCC. Passionate about children’s mental health, she connects instantly with them through creative, intuitive, and nurturing approaches that bring emotional and social growth.
Harshita
(Developmental Psychologist)
Harshita has done her Masters in Applied Psychology, specialising in Counselling Psychology, from Jamia Millia Islamia University. She has more than 10 years of experience of working in the field of Child Psychology. She believes in constant efforts and having trust in the abilities of the little ones does wonders.She uses art and music frequently in her sessions, to connect with children.
Palaakshee
(Developmental Psychologist)
Palaakshee holds a Master’s degree in Clinical and Counselling Psychology from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and is a registered professional with the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). Her deep interest in working with children led her to pursue an Advanced Diploma in Child Guidance and Counselling from NIPCCD, New Delhi. She believes that children thrive when they feel safe, heard, and valued—and she strives to cultivate such nurturing spaces where they truly shine!
Our Volunteer-Empowering communities through service
Pooja Phogat
Pooja Phogat holds a PhD in Microbiology and has over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. As Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Krystelis Limited, she leads global teams delivering medical writing, medical communications, and clinical trial transparency services to pharmaceutical companies worldwide. She is a recognised thought leader in her field and actively contributes to industry associations such as DIA, EMWA, ISMPP, and ISCR. Pooja’s connection with Healing Nest Foundation began when she met one of its teachers during a yoga class—a chance encounter that aligned with her long-standing wish to support an NGO. Through this, she became closely associated with Titli School, where she is inspired by the mission of nurturing and empowering children. Pooja is deeply committed to supporting children’s education and development, and feels a strong sense of purpose in contributing to this cause.
Based in Delhi, Pooja loves travelling, experiencing diverse cultures and practicing yoga.
Punita Sharma
Certified yoga teacher with 11 years of experience offering asanas, breathwork, and meditation at her yoga studio in Vasant Kunj, corporates, and non-profit organisations. These moments have not only shaped her understanding of yoga as a practice but also as a powerful tool for healing, inclusion, and transformation. The children's innocence, resilience, and pure joy made every session a reminder of why she chose this path. Her interest in using yoga as a means of empowerment continues to guide her purpose, and she remains committed to creating safe, nurturing spaces where every child—regardless of their circumstances—feels seen, supported, and inspired. Yoga, for her, is not just a practice—it’s a way to connect, heal, and uplift every soul, no matter their background. Healing Nest has been extraordinary in nurturing both the students and the teachers, creating a safe and enriching space where students flourish.
Get to know us
The Healing Nest has its heart in a family who has made child mental health their life’s mission. It was founded in 2014 by Hemanti with her passion for child development.
She wanted to have a plan for themselves that made them more self-sustaining, gave them satisfaction, and gave them money along with it. Ofcourse, she knew it had its own risks, and would take time to establish.
With the support of mentors in the field of mental health, she established the organisation in Delhi.
What started as an intervention centre focussing on developmental delays, turned into a nurturing space, with accessible care and compassion for any child who walks through the doors.
Since its incorporation, Healing Nest has taken on new, exciting, and expanded paths to reach and serve our community.
Titli School, Hemanti’s dream project, which provides inclusive education to all, is running successfully. With growing recognition and long-term collaborations with schools, organisations and NGOs, Healing Nest Foundation is proud to be serving children and families for 10 Years!
Celebrating a Decade of Healing & Empowering Children!
For the past 10 years, our Child Therapy Center has been a beacon of support and care for children and their families. With a dedicated team of professionals, we have provided essential therapeutic services, helping countless young lives thrive and grow. Our journey has been marked by compassion, resilience, and a commitment to making a lasting difference in our community.
Healing Nest started as a therapy centre in a humble one-room apartment with a few children coming in with developmental delays and neurodevelopmental disabilities.
2014
Expanded the team to cater to more children. Started building connections with the nearby community, organisation and schools
2015
Started a School Readiness Program for neurodivergent children aged 2-5 years. Conducted a rally on Autism Awareness day and reached out to 100+ people.
2016
Shifted to a bigger office. Conducted Awareness Camps and Open houses for families. Summer and Winter Camps become an annual tradition.
2017
Becomes a registered Non-Profit, expanding services through preschool programs and workshops. Noida branch opens, and founder Hemanti Mangal joins Amity Centre for Educational Research & Training.
2018
Managing two centres. Conducted courses, training and workshops on various aspects of child development, disorders and sensory integration. Field trips. Autism Awareness Campaign in corporations. Summer and winter camp.
2019
Adapting to change, Healing Nest offers online therapy and awareness programs during COVID shutdown. Founder joins Uttar Pradesh Mental Health Council.
2020
Vasant Kunj Centre reopens, online courses launch, and the centre fills with the vibrant smiles of children again.
2021
Consultancy and Therapy services extended to NGOs and preschools in Delhi NCR. Titli School takes root, providing education and life skills to underserved communities.
2022
Titli School blossoms, serving Nursery, KG, and Class 1 children. Healing Nest's therapy practice thrives with a growing team.
2023
Titli School thrives with 30 children, and Healing Nest expands its reach through partnerships and Project Surakshit with CKD and ONGC. Celebrating 10 years of transforming lives!
2024
We expand into a new center with dedicated floors for therapy and early education, welcoming families and partners to co-create vibrant spaces for healing, learning, and lasting impact.
2025
