About
Dr. Archana Paliwal is a dedicated psychologist and development professional with a passion for empowering communities and individuals. With more than 18 years of experience in social development, education, and health sectors, she combines her academic background with extensive practical knowledge.
Archana holds a Ph.D. in Applied Psychology from Rani Durgavati University, where her research focused on the effects of family relations on physically handicapped adolescents' self-confidence, self-actualization, and social adjustment. She also earned a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Madhya Pradesh Bhoj Open University and a Master's in Applied Psychology with a specialization in Clinical Psychology.
Throughout her career, Archana has demonstrated a strong commitment to mental health and well-being, particularly for children and children with special needs. She has worked as a psychologist, providing professional services on an individual basis and on-call for children's hospitals. Her clinical experience includes work at the Thakur Hari Prasad Institute, where she conducted psychological assessments and interventions for various childhood mental difficulties and conditions such as Down's syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, ADHD, and learning disabilities. Her expertise also extends to the rehabilitation of individuals with special needs, including those with intellectual disability.
In addition to her clinical work, Archana is an expert in project management, monitoring, and evaluation (M&E). She has five years of experience as a State M&E Coordinator for the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), a Department of Higher Education project, where she strengthened M&E systems and conducted capacity-building programs for college staff. She has also managed projects for organizations like the United Nations Women and the Madhya Pradesh Network of People living with HIV/AIDS, implementing comprehensive M&E frameworks and coordinating with government departments and implementing partners.
Her skills include designing, planning, and facilitating training programs for diverse stakeholders and developing comprehensive M&E plans, tools, and reports. She is experienced in liaising with NGOs and state departments to foster effective collaborations.
Through her writing, Archana aims to use her diverse experience and knowledge to provide valuable insights on psychology and mental health, helping to educate and empower people for a better society.
