Mrs. Saras Bhaskar
Dr. Saras Bhaskar’s specialization include infertility and adoption counselling. Mrs. Saras Bhaskar is specialized in various facets of adoption counselling. She along with her husband has first hand experience of enjoying parenthood with their daughter (now 27 years) who was adopted when she was 3 months old.
Besides Mrs. Bhaskar’s experiential knowledge, her academic and technical skills in understanding the adoption process can prepare the parents for the arrival of their child. She is an expert in identifying the difference between adoption related issues versus general parenting issues. For the last fifteen years, she has been giving guidance and counseling for adoptive parents.
Dr. Saras Bhaskar has worked with adoption agencies prior to “CARA” procedure with regards to submitting a report on the “Psychological readiness for parenthood” of prospective couples. She is proficient in sensitizing adoptive parents on “Disclosure” of when, who and how methods.
She diligently works with older children with their assimilation to the new environment She is much sought after for counselling teenagers. Her vision to empower counseling professionals in the field of psychology gave birth to Chennai Counselors’ Foundation. Started in 2004, CCF provides a platform for counseling professionals to share knowledge, expertise, provide cross-referrals and train for growth and advancement.
Academic Qualifications
- Submitted her PhD thesis (2019) awaiting viva voce from the University of Madras, Chennai.
- As a research scholar was associated with University of Utrecht, Nederland
- Master of Art in Human Services, Counseling & HRM, St. Edwards University, Austin Texas
- Master of Arts in Applied Psychology, SIET College for Women, Chennai Tamil
Journal publications relating to adoption
- Saraswathi Bhaskar, “Childlessness, Parenthood and Psychological well being”, Recent Advances in Psychology, vol 4 (2), 2017
- Saraswathi Bhaskar, Rene Hokhbergen, Anneloes van Baar, Arun Tipandjan and Jan ter Laak, “Life experiences and quality of life of involuntarily childless men in treatment and adoptive fathers“, Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 2014
- Saraswathi Bhaskar, Rene Hoksbergen, Anneloes van Baar, Subasini Mothiram and Jan ter Laak, “Adoption in India – the Past, Present and the Future trends”, Journal of Psychosocial Research, vol 7 No. 2 (July-December) 2012.
To get in touch with Mrs. Saras Bhaskar, please mail adoptpadme@gmail.com
Gayatri Abraham
Founder – Padme Foundation
Mental Health Professional
Gayatri Abraham was always been interested in women’s and child related concerns and issues and has been involved in various activities and volunteering alongside her work experience. In the mid-90s, she was part of a study on women’s reproductive healthcare, conducting interviews with commercial sex workers in Chennai, led by a professor from the University of Swansea. Her work experience includes public relations, marketing and sales
About 3 years ago, she realized it was time to consolidate and realign her work and personal goals, which is in tandem with having a sense of purpose in life and simultaneously gives a sense of accomplishment and fulfilment.
She came up with the idea of a startup in the adoption space, and
on August 15, 2017 idea of Padme crystallized as a go to as a resource site www.padme.in for prospective, for parents by adoption and society at large to initiate a conversation on the topic of adoption in India. Also Padme is one of the first in India to offer counselling service from therapeutic, psychological and emotional readiness. Understanding the gaps in counselling in the adoption ecosystem, she trained with Parivarthan in Bengaluru in counselling. Parivarthan is a counselling, training and research centre in Bengaluru.
She completed two programme in counselling at Parivarthan
(January 2019 – March 2020)
- Interpersonal Communication and listening skills (3 Month program)
- BSIC: Certification program on basic skills in counselling (One Year program)
- Couple and Family Counselling
MSc. Counselling in Family Therapy
Online Courses and certification 2014 – 2015
Introduction to Food and Health – Stanford University
Health for all through Primary Health Care – John Hopkins University
Social Entrepreneurship – University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Aloma Lobo
Dr. Aloma Lobo worked with St. Johns, and World Health Organization.
She was the chairperson of the ACA (Adoption Coordinating Agency) and as the former chairperson of CARA. Dr. Aloma Lobo has worked in the field of Adoption for 30 years. (Central Adoption Resource Authority)
Dr. Aloma Lobo, will be extending her expertise in mentoring prospective and adoptive parents.
To get in touch with Dr. Aloma Lobo, please mail adoptpadme@gmail.com