Nandi (Sunita) Nandihalli's headshot

Nandi (Sunita) Nandihalli, LPC/RYT

Licensed Psychotherapist | Well-Being Consultant

OHR | Employee Assistance Office

Nandi (any pronouns) is a Licensed Psychotherapist, Wellness Consultant, & Registered Yoga Teacher who brings a holistic perspective to well-being work. With a Masters of Science in Counseling Psychology from UW-Madison and over a decade of experience in research and cross-cultural education, Nandi believes that true resilience is built by connecting to our whole selves—mind, body, and spirit. Their approach is informed by blending science & ancestral healing principles, focusing on intergenerational wisdom and cultural strengths as powerful resources for navigating modern stress, burnout, and life transitions. Nandi is passionate about creating a safe, affirming space for everyone and honors the courage it takes to ask for support.

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A sliding scale speaker fee applies to these talks.

Talks:

The Art of the Tough Talk: Intervention & Feedback Skills for Work and Life

Navigating difficult conversations are inevitable, but they don’t have to be disastrous. This session provides a dual toolkit for handling conflicts with both strangers and those close to you.

Part 1: The Empowered Bystander: Learn and practice recognized intervention methodologies to safely and effectively address harassment or public disputes involving people you don’t know.

Part 2: The Feedback Loop: Move beyond awkward criticism. Discover a clear, respectful model for delivering actionable feedback to peers, direct reports, and even family members. Equally important, learn how to receive feedback with grace, separating emotion from insight to foster trust and continuous improvement.

Leave feeling more confident to act as an ally and to build stronger, more honest relationships.

Navigating Uncertainty with Grace: From Brain Science to Collective Care

 In times of profound change and stress, our reactions are shaped by more than just personal will. This training offers a map for navigating uncertainty by examining it from three angles: First, we’ll explore how our brain’s biology triggers stress and survival responses. Second, we’ll uncover how societal structures and media can amplify fear and polarization. Finally, we’ll move from analysis to action, building a practical toolkit for grounding ourselves, caring for our communities, and making values-based choices—allowing us to meet uncertainty not with panic, but with presence and grace.

Decolonizing Well-Being Series

Decolonizing Medicine, Exercise, and Nutrition: This session explores & challenges modern approaches to physical health and well-being. We will discuss various perspectives on modern medical practices, including how bias can impact healthcare experiences. The session will also examine the fitness industry and consider the ways traditional practices like yoga and tai chi are adapted in western contexts. Furthermore, we will examine the nutrition and diet industry, placing particular emphasis on the representation of cultural foods and traditions. Using a social determinants of health (SDOH) framework, participants will learn strategies for evaluating and accessing healthcare options that align with their individual needs and goals.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Participants will gain awareness, knowledge, and skills around topics of social determinants of health (SDOH) & inclusive wellness frameworks in order to deconstruct, process, and heal from modern, decentralized dimensions of medical practices.

  • As participants explore and learn about social and community contexts, they will take a deeper dive into the components of the medical, fitness and nutrition industries, and how they experience them.

Decolonizing Mental & Emotional Well-Being: This session explores & challenges modern psychology and psychotherapy practices, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and discusses their applications and potential limitations. We will review various aspects of the mental health system, including the role of diagnoses, insurance, and state-run facilities, as well as historical developments in the field and their ongoing influence. Through a holistic lens, participants will learn about mental and emotional well-being, with an emphasis on somatic techniques and inclusive approaches to wellness.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Participants will gain awareness, knowledge, and skills around topics of social determinants of health (SDOH) & inclusive wellness frameworks in order to raise awareness, process, and heal from modern, decentralized dimensions of mental health practices.

  • As participants explore and learn about social and community contexts, they will take a deeper dive into the components of the mental health care industry including counseling theories, psychiatric diagnoses, insurance paneling, & licensure and how people experience them.

Decolonizing Spirituality: This session examines the role of religious & spiritual traditions in shaping personal and community well-being. It is designed to support individuals in exploring spirituality in a way that aligns with their values and experiences. This work aims to center folks who have been wounded by traditional religious systems and to help people find an authentic connection to the divine that allows them to bring their whole selves, stories, and communities of spiritual practice. We’ll discuss ways to navigate existing religious structures while honoring personal beliefs, and explore strategies for creating inclusive spiritual communities that encourage connection, growth, and fulfillment.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Participants will gain awareness, knowledge, and skills around topics of social determinants of health (SDOH) & inclusive wellness frameworks in order to explore, process, and heal from modern, decentralized dimensions of religious & spiritual practices.

  • As participants explore and learn about social and community contexts, they will take a deeper dive into the components of modern religious systems including relevant history, new age practices, support systems, & open vs. closed practices and how people experience them.