Our Doctor

Dr. Varsha Dutta Pujari
MS (Cognitive Neuropsychology, U.K.)
PhD (I.P. Psychedelic Medicine, U.K.)

Dr. VarshaDuttaPujari is a Clinical Neuropsychologist, with consultant-level expertise in the management of adult and pediatric neurocognitive, emotional and behavioral disorders.

She has extensive clinical experience in the diagnostic assessments and treatment of psychiatric and neuropsychological disorders.

In 2016, she founded Soma Living Roots, A Transpersonal Community for Scientific Research on Psychedelic Medicine. Through this organisation she has been actively involved in research with Ketamine in cancer patients (an Indo- U.S.collaboration) that allows one to see the efficacy of using ketamine as an adjunct to existential psychotherapy for patients with end of life issues.
She is interested in the phenomenological state of one’s being under the psycho-integrating influence of Ketamine in Cancer patients and feels impassioned about substantiating the potential efficacy of Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy as well as other Psychedelic Medicine assisted research across an array of psychological disorders from treatment resistant depression to PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorders)that have shown life altering results experienced as patients begin to explore the dynamics of their own self-healing journey.

Specialized Interests

She specializes in the treatment of pediatric and adult brain injury, neuro-oncology, epilepsy, psychiatry, emergency psychiatry, acute care and cognitive rehabilitation in the inpatient, outpatient and community setting. She is a specialist in cognitive rehabilitation for post traumatic brain injury, stroke, dementia, demyelinating disorders like multiple sclerosis, brain tumor, ADHD and other neurological conditions and is skilled in the management of both minor and persistent mental illness.

Her experience in psychological disorders extends to psychological assessments and therapeutic management of anxiety disorders, panic attacks, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcohol and drug abuse problems, obsessive compulsions, separation distress, adjustment disorder, abuse, trauma, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), personal and relationship issues and depression secondary to medical conditions like HIV, terminal illness, brain tumor and stroke.

Psychotherapeutic credo

“My Psychotherapeutic credo is in being self directional while accommodating the ephemeral stance and fragility of a person’s situation.
I have on a personal level enjoyed the openness and integrative approach of the humanist school of existential depth therapy and its adaptability in merging with the transpersonal psychotherapies;
The extent and profundity of this therapy is in valuing each person’s subjective experience as unique, as it is only with this understanding that a healthy psychotherapeutic role can emerge as a way of dealing with one’s issues responsibly. This valuing of subjective experience is congruent with Buddhist philosophy and conterminous with therapy as a way of being.”

Published Works

Dr. Varsha Dutta Pujari is a published author and the editor of a book on psycho-oncology. She regularly contributes to editorials and write-ups in scientific journals and is also a published poet whose work has appeared in both National and International Poetry journals from the Indian Review to Warscapes.

The Unquiet Mind: Cancer: The Metaethical Quandary of Therapies

https://www.amazon.com/Unquiet-Mind-Metaethical-Quandary-Therapies/dp/8184875703

Editorials

  • Dutta V. Uncomfortable bedfellows: Whole brain radiation therapy and neurocognition in animal and human studies. J Can Res Ther. 2015. 11:679-83 
  • Dutta V. The Phantom Breast after Mastectomy, The Homunculus and the hole in the cortical map. J Cancer Res Ther. 2015 Jan-Mar;11(1):3-5.
  • Dutta, V. “Why should the fictional narrative permeate the death experience in medicine: A glance at Lev Tolstoy’s” Death of Ivan Illych” through Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenological overtures.” Journal of cancer research and therapeutics 10.3 (2014): 456.
  • Dutta V. The metaphysical combat with death in the terminally ill and the psychedelic trail. J Can Res Ther 2014;10:3-5
  • Dutta V. The paradox of attending to the self in brain tumor. J Can Res Ther 2011;7:112-4

Research Publications

  • Dutta V. Repression of death consciousness and the psychedelic trip. J Can Res Ther 2012;8:336-42
  • Dutta V. Psychostimulants for chemotherapy induced cognitive changes in cancer, Ockham’s razor, anyone?
  • J Cancer Res Ther. 2012 Apr-Jun;8(2):326-9.
  • Dutta, V. “Chemotherapy, neurotoxicity, and cognitive changes in breast cancer.”
  • J Cancer Res Ther. 2011 Jul-Sep;7(3):264-9.
  • Dutta V. Art, History & Neurology:“Stirring Dull Roots with Spring Rain”
  • Review of the three series of books on “Neurological Disorders in Famous Artists.” J.Bogousslavsky, F. Boller (Part 1); J. Bogousslavsky, M.G. Hennerici (Part 2); J. Bogousslavsky, M.G. Hennerici, H.Bazner, C. Bassetti (Part 3). Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics. 2011: Vol(7):2, pp 240-246
  • Dutta V. A taste of Life: The last days of U.G. Krishnamurti (Author; Mahesh Bhatt). 2015; 11;1021

Clinical Workshops & Invited Presentations

  • Ketamine assisted Psychotherapy for Major Depressive Disorders &its therapeutic potential in End stage Cancer patients. Seminar on Palliative Psycho-oncology, 8th March 2019,  Nanavati Hospital, Vile Parle, Mumbai.
  • Seminar on Psychedelics & The Terminally Ill Patient, 24th February 2018, ACRO, Nanavati Super specialty Hospital, Vile Parle, Mumbai
  • Dementia Workshop, 22nd September 2015, Dr. Balabhai Nanavati Hospital. Vile Parle. Mumbai. http://www.indiannewsandtimes.com/2015/09/24/nanavatis-senior-citizens-club-organizes-program-on-dementia/
  • Psychedelics & Palliative Care. Seminar at ACRO, 21st February 2015.Dr. Balabhai Nanavati Hospital, Mumbai.
  • “Self Consciousness in Early Alzheimer’s Disease, The Dissociated Link.” Presentation at the 16th Convention of Academia Eurasiana Neurochirurgica, The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Mumbai, 20th February 2011.
  • “Dementia, Challenges & Recovery, Exploring the Interface.” Workshop in collaborated with D. Bhagabati (Psychiatrist) Former HOD, Psychiatry Dept., GMCH, Vivekananda Kendra, Riverside, Guwahati, 2nd May 2010.
  • “Living with Dignity after Dementia.”  Workshop on Brain Function Rehabilitation & Emotional Recovery in Dementia, in collaboration with Dignity Foundation, Organization for Geriatric Health care And Support, ManandiSamskrutiSadana, Jayanagar, Bangalore, 4th October 2009.
  • Workshop On Dementia– WORLD ALZHEIMER’S DAY, Spandana Institute For Mental Health & Neurosciences, Mysore Road, Bangalore, 21st    September 2009.
  • “Dementia – Diagnosis and Rehabilitation.” Workshop, St. Philomena’s Hospital, Bangalore, November 2008.

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