Constituency Served

children with emotional problems and mental retardation, up to 8 years; adolescents, parents, teachers

Details of Work

Dr Uma Hirisave, a clinical psychologist, is Associate Professor at the Department of Clinical Psychology at NIMHANS*. Her specific area of interest is children with emotional problems and mental retardation. Her doctoral thesis explored children's communication of emotional problems through bodily symptoms. She has been involved in a collaborative project on the influence of the home environment on early childhood development. She conducts workshops under the NIMHANS School Mental Health Programme, as well as a programme for teachers on child development and mental health. Her workshops for children, parents and teachers address issues such as motivation, understanding adolescents, and coping with stress. Her concerns include emotional problems in early childhood, parenting styles, parental and school disciplinary patterns, alternative therapy including play and therapy, and research on learning problems. She also undertakes assessment and counselling for children and adolescents with mental retardation.