Dr. Vaishali Vilas Sonavane
Dr. Vaishali Vilas Sonavane is a pioneering mental health advocate, researcher, and social change leader dedicated to healing intergenerational trauma and advancing justice for marginalized communities in India.
Our Mission
We bridge psychology, social justice, and spiritual science to help marginalized communities—particularly Dalit communities—heal intergenerational trauma, reclaim dignity, and build conscious, equitable spaces for learning and living.
Our Vision
A world where justice is not complete until it also heals. Where mental health, cultural healing, and social transformation converge to create pathways from pain to purpose, and resistance to renewal.
Leadership & Expertise
Dr. Vaishali Vilas Sonavane holds a Ph.D. in Women’s Studies from the prestigious Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Hyderabad, where she worked under the guidance of Prof. Kalpana Kannabiran, one of India’s foremost feminist sociologists.
With over 25 years of dedicated engagement in social change, Dr. Sonavane works at the critical intersections of:
- Mental health and healing justice
- Gender and caste studies
- Community empowerment
- Intergenerational trauma healing
- Social transformation
Our Initiatives
Dalit Alchemy Founder of Dalit Alchemy, MHI’s (Mariwala Health Initiative) groundbreaking Dalit Mental Health Initiative—a transformative framework where law, mental health, and cultural healing converge.
Alchemy Healing Hub Through Ease Revolution’s “Alchemy Healing Hub,” we create visionary spaces that support holistic healing and community empowerment.
Naming the Pain Series An ongoing series inviting readers to confront the emotional and systemic realities of caste through stories, frameworks, and grounded calls for change—a movement toward collective healing and reclaimed humanity.
Our Approach
Having transformed her own pain into power, Dr. Sonavane now focuses on healing herself and the communities she serves—believing that true liberation is both inner and collective. Our work advances through:
- Advocacy & Education: Writing, speaking, and teaching on caste, trauma, healing justice, and social transformation
- Research & Practice: 25+ years of fieldwork and reflective practice beginning in 2004
- Community Healing: Creating spaces for marginalized communities to process trauma and reclaim dignity
- Transformative Frameworks: Developing innovative approaches that turn pain into purpose
Our Commitment
We urge society to recognize that justice without healing is incomplete. Through our work, we:
- Center marginalized voices and experiences
- Integrate traditional wisdom with contemporary psychology
- Build bridges between individual and collective healing
- Advocate for systemic change rooted in compassion and dignity
Join Our Movement
Whether you’re a researcher, activist, community member, or ally, we invite you to engage with our work, participate in dialogue, and contribute to the collective journey toward healing and justice.
Contact us to learn more about our programs, speaking engagements, workshops, or collaboration opportunities.
Healing is not just personal—it’s political. Justice is not complete until it also heals.