Radha Nagesh
Adoption and Trauma Sensitive Senior Counsellor, Trainer in Trauma-Informed Care, Founder of “Joy of Adoption”
Dedicated counsellor and trainer specializing in trauma-informed care, with over 25 years of experience in child welfare, adoption and emotional support. Her work focuses on empowering individuals and families to navigate the complexities of trauma, adoption, and family dynamics, with a strong emphasis on creating child-centric approaches. She holds experience of conducting training sessions for social workers in childcare institutions and other stake holders in the field of adoption, throughout the country.
An inspiring personality whose life reflects service, compassion, and adaptability – Quite literally. Married to an Air Force officer, she has lived in the peaceful outskirts of the country, building deep connections with rural communities and guiding youth. Believing in finding the silver lining in every day, she strives relentlessly to bring that shift in the Adoptive community; with warmth and kindness. Bringing smiles, touching Lives – One at a Time.
Sandesh Rao
Core team member of JOA, Certified counselor by SWAYAM & ILDC
Sandesh has been actively engaged in several initiatives related to adoption including counselling of prospective adoptive parents and adoptive parents, and volunteering with Vishwas society for mental health to support individuals and families in need of support.
He has been a core pillar of JOA since its inception and is actively working to help families understand “Child-centric approach” and navigate this journey with a progressive mindset.
CBT therapist (TEAM Level 3), Nurse, Special Educator and Founder of “Pledge Academy”.
Jennifer is a dedicated and qualified professional specialized in psychological counselling using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Throughout her career, she has been working for empowering individuals through counselling, training and conducting workshops on CBT, mental well-being, education, life skills, building resilience, learning disabilities, and ADHD. Additionally, she has volunteered as a core team member at St John’s Research Institute, for developing “Adolescence Education Program Plus” and also played a key role in delivering the BEING - Becoming Empowered in Nursing Growth program, for multiple nursing colleges in Bangalore.
She offers guidance and counselling to prospective adoptive parents, adoptive parents, and adopted children, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to the well-being of families and supporting the team as a core expert member of JOA Family.
Renu Srinivasan
Certified Adoption Counsellor
Educationist, who started her journey as a senior teacher; and went onto head institutions – both mainstream and an inclusive school. Renu has also served as country head for “Teacher’s training” initiative and served as “Academic Auditor” for a large group of schools.
Renu is a certified Adoption Counsellor with the Department of Women and Child Welfare, Karnataka and is actively involved in counselling of Prospective Parents, Adoptive parents and children (Both teenagers & young adults). Her deep knowledge and wide range of experience not only help the families to prepare themselves better for difficult situations, but also, to help them understand the unseen effect of trauma. Her efforts, along with JOA family, are directed towards helping families to be mindful of the need for a safe, trusting and caring environment for our children to flourish.
Vinish Gupta
Adoption counsellor
Certified adoption counsellor and parent to two happy homeschoolers. For the last two decades, Vinish has been mentoring mature learners through residential self-growth programs that run throughout the year. He lives with his family on a rural homestead near the town of Sirsi in NW Karnataka.
Sugandha Agarwal
Certified Counselor
Core member of JOA family, Sugandha is a certified counselor who has been handholding Prospective adoptive parents and Adoptive parents with primary focus on “Single parenting”.
Sugandha has been actively involved and a key player in bringing this community together for our annual events and in person meet-ups. Her active contribution in strengthening the connection and fostering this community helps us to continue to grow as a supportive group for all stakeholders – Including Children, parents, social workers, counselors and trainers.
Bhaskar Agastya
Certified counsellor from ILDC
Bhaskar has been actively engaged in various initiatives that support adoptive children and families, with a strong focus on child welfare, emotional well-being, and counseling awareness.
His work emphasizes advocacy for the unique psychological and social needs of adopted children, particularly around belonging, attachment, and life-stage transitions.
He is professionally trained to counsel prospective adoptive parents and to support children affected by adoption-related trauma.
Mouna Sidappa
Certified Special Educator and Play Therapist
Certified Special Educator and Play Therapist with over 15 years of experience in supporting children, individuals, and families with diverse needs. She is the Founder of A Different Tune, a centre for children and families with neurodiversity, offering a fully fledged play therapy environment that supports healing, growth, and emotional well-being. She is also the Co-Founder of Tarang, an initiative focused on building inclusive community spaces.
As a Play Therapist, Mouna works extensively with adoptive children and families, children with trauma histories, selective mutism, emotional regulation challenges, and attachment-related concerns.
Her association with Joy of Adoption has been a meaningful and privileged journey, allowing her to share the healing power of play in supporting adoptive children and families-strengthening emotional safety, self-esteem, and belonging.
Kavita Bhandari
Legal Consultant, Digital Content Creator and Trainer
She is a Resource Professional with wide ranging work experience in the field of child care, protection and welfare. Has been associated with several Govt and Non Govt agencies and runs a YouTube channel for socio legal awareness.
Has served as a teacher in Army Primary Schools, a Counselor in the National Commission for Women, a Member in Child Welfare Committee ( West Delhi ) and a Member in the Sub Committee of CARA for pan India training of adoption stakeholders. She features as one of the notable women lawyers on the multi media platform of “Sipping Thoughts “.
She has been mentoring youngsters through life coaching workshops in educational institutions. Married to an Army officer and a mother of two she is passionate about telling her own story as a parent.