Dr. Sushma Gopalan

Ms Sushma Gopalan is a highly experienced paediatric psychologist and child life specialist in Yelahanka, Bangalore with over 10 years of clinical experience in paediatric psychological care, child life services, trauma recovery, maternal mental health, and family counselling.

She currently practises as the Lead Consultant in Child Life Services (Psychology) at Manipal Hospital, Yelahanka, where she provides emotional, behavioural, and psychological support for children and families going through hospitalisation, chronic illness, and medical treatment.

Patients looking for the best child psychologist in Yelahanka or a trusted paediatric mental health specialist in Bangalore will find in Ms Sushma Gopalan a pioneer who introduced Child Life Services in India and brings a deeply compassionate, evidence-based approach to helping children heal emotionally alongside their medical care.

She consults in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Kannada.

Area of Expertise

Paediatric Psychology and Child Life Services

Emotional and psychological support for children facing hospitalisation, medical procedures, chronic illness, and long-term treatment.

• Paediatric psychological care across oncology, endocrinology, immunology, pulmonology, and bone marrow transplant (BMT)
• Child Life Services and psycho-social care in hospital settings
• Play therapy, art therapy, and therapeutic storytelling
• Pre-procedural preparation and medical coping strategies
• Behavioural, cognitive, emotional, and developmental assessments
• Learning disability, ADHD, and emotional disorder evaluation
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based interventions

Maternal Mental Health, Family Counselling, and Trauma Care

Focused support for mothers, parents, and families navigating pregnancy, fertility treatments, loss, grief, and emotional challenges.

• Maternal and perinatal mental health support during IVF, pregnancy, and postpartum
• Postpartum depression (PPD) screening and therapy
• Family, parent, and adolescent counselling
• Trauma, grief, and crisis counselling
• Stress, anxiety, bullying, peer pressure, and body image support
• Sibling support and caregiver fatigue management

Professional Experience

Ms Sushma Gopalan is currently associated with:

• Lead Consultant, Child Life Services (Psychology), Manipal Hospital, Yelahanka, Bangalore

She is the Co-Founder of Child Life Services, India, the country's first structured hospital-based psycho-social programme in paediatrics, making her one of the best paediatric psychologists in Bangalore.

Credentials, Qualifications, and Memberships

Educational Qualifications

• PhD in Clinical Psychology from Central Christian University, Malawi
• MA in Psychology from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
• MSc in Behavioural Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (BCGBT)

Ms Sushma further strengthened her clinical expertise with a PGDMH (Post Graduate Diploma in Mental Health) from IGNOU and a PGDECFE, giving her a strong foundation in paediatric psychological care, behavioural therapy, and family mental health support.

Awards, Research, and Publications

Ms Sushma Gopalan was recognised as the 2024 Scholarship and Membership Winner from India by ACLP (Association of Child Life Professionals), USA and received the 2024 Dr Moopen's Service Excellence Award from Aster DM Healthcare.

She has published research in journals including IJNRD and IJFMR, covering child life services in India, CBT effectiveness, caregiver support models, and mental first-aid in paediatric emergency care.

Professional Memberships

• Member, Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP), USA
• Member, American Psychological Association
• Associate Member, IAP-PEM (Pediatric Emergency Medicine Chapter, Indian Academy of Pediatrics)

Ms Sushma is also an Affiliated Member of ICANCL (Indian Child Abuse, Neglect and Child Labour), a Senior Member of the Indian Counselling Association, and a Lifetime Member of the Counsellors Council of India.

Book an Appointment

For expert consultation on child psychology, paediatric emotional support, play therapy, maternal mental health, family counselling, trauma recovery, or any child and adolescent mental health concern in Yelahanka, Bangalore, book an appointment with Ms Sushma Gopalan through HexaHealth for a smooth and priority consultation experience.