School of Mind Training
Courses in Applied Buddhist Psychology for Mental Health
Course in Clinical Musicianship
Drumming, Singing, Song-writing, Poetry and Narratives in Therapy
Dhih: Language Training
Beginner & Intermediate Level Sanskrit Courses

About Us
WCCL Foundation is a registered NGO under the Bombay Public Trust Act & the Societies Registration Act
We specialise in
- Developing indigenous models of Arts-Based Therapies which are rooted in the Indian Knowledge Systems.
- Creating and implementing curriculum, study material and training programs for Adults, Children and People with Disabilities (PWD)
- Conducting regular therapy sessions in NGO’s & Institutions serving People with Disabilities
We invite you to study, research and practice with us.
Work History
YEAR | PROJECT TITLE |
PROJECT DURATION |
FUNDER |
2002 | Muktangan De-Addiction Centre & Kripa De-addiction Centre | 18 months | Sir Dorabji Tata Trust |
2003 | Sadhana Village. Residential Institution for Adults with Cognitive Disabilities | 12 months | United Way of Mumbai |
This project was a unique collaboration of WCCL Foundation with Ms. Tripura Kashyap. There is an entire chapter about this project in the book titled “My Body, My Wisdom” published by penguin Books India 2005. | |||
2004 | Sadhana Village – Part 2. Supporting Trained caregivers who would continue ABT. | 12 months | United Way of Mumbai |
2004 | Core Support for Organizational Expenses & Research in Manaswardhan De-Addiction Centre | 24 months | Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT) |
Upon reviewing the research results from earlier projects, SDTT sanctioned a grant for further research in de-addiction and also development of a course in arts-based therapy. This period was utilized to create the syllabus & course content. | |||
2005 | Kathaoushdham (Story-Medicine) for Cipla Centre for Palliative Care in Cancer | 12 months | Kirloskar Foundation, KPIT, and MBT Foundation |
2006 | ABT for children with Learning Disabilities in Rewachand Bhojwani Academy, Pune | 6 months | Mahindra British Telecom (MBT) Foundation |
2005 | ABT Certificate Course 2005-2006 | 9 months | Sir Ratan Tata Trust towards Course expenses so that student fees could be subsidized to Rs. 7,000 per person |
2006 | Organizational Support for Action research & Training in ABT | 3 year Project | Sir Dorabji Tata Trust over a period of 3 years |
This large project grant gave a boost to action research on children with special needs for three years, ABT Certificate Course subsidies & budget for making a film on arts-based therapy | |||
2007 | “Real World” Arts-Based Therapy with special needs children in Asha School, Pune | 2 year Project | Human Factors Internations. |
2009 | “Best Practices in Arts-Based Therapy” | 3 year grant for Subsidizing the ABT Course, Research on Best Practices & Training ABT Supervisors | Sir J.R.D. Tata Trust |
The “Best Practice in ABT” was a research conducted in TTK Hospital Chennai, Prism Foundation, Pune, Child’N’You, Mumbai & St. Catherine of Sienna School & Orphanage, Mumbai. The action research consisted of reviewing 152 existing action research reports on ABT, drawing out key trends, and establishing best practices in arts-based therapy for India when working with – Children with Sp. Needs, Children at-risk, and Adults in De-addiction centres. | |||
2011 | ABT Kit for students participating in the ABT Certificate Course | Grant for purchasing 30 ABT Kits each year | (2011) from Union Bank of India.
(2012) from Union Bank of India (2013) from Union Bank of India |
2014 | ABT KIT for students participating in the ABT Certificate Course | Grant for purchasing 30 ABT Kits each year | HDFC |
2014 | ABT Course subsidy | Meher Pudumjee | |
2014 | Action Research projects (SAA & St. Teresa) | 12 Months | Mr. Shreekrishna |
2015 | Fundraiser Concert for Action Research Projects and ABT Course Subsidy | 12 Months | DHFL Changing Lives Foundation, LIC of India, Terragni Consulting Pvt. Ltd., Bank of Baroda |
2016 | ABT Train-the-Trainer Program | 3 years | Self-Sponsored and subsidy by DHFL Changing Lives Foundation. |
2019 | Training of Anganwadi Workers in Music education for children age 4-8 | 24 months | Partnered with team of Project Sneh with Grammangal Trust & DHFL Changing Lives Foundation. |
Publications
Standard Textbooks for all ABT Training:
- Balsara, Z., Chabukswar, A. and Daniel, D. (2017) Text Book on ABT Practice (Arts-Based Therapy Training Manual) 1st Ed. 2008, 2nd Ed. 2009, 3rd Ed. 2013, 4th Ed. 2015, 5th Ed. 2017. Pune: WCCL Foundation
- Balsara, Z., Chabukswar, A. and Daniel, D. (2017) Text Book on ABT Practice (Arts-Based Therapy Training Manual) Marathi Edition. Marathi Translation: Ms. Vidya Bhagwat. Pune: WCCL Foundation
- Pillai-Balsara, A (2017, 6th ed.) Text Book on ABT Theory (Subtle Energy Guide) 1st Ed. 2008, 2nd Ed. 2009, 3rd Ed. 2013, 4th Ed. 2014, 5th Ed. 2016, 6th Ed. 2017. Pune: WCCL Foundation
- Pillai-Balsara, A (2017, 6th ed.) Text Book on ABT Theory (Subtle Energy Guide) Marathi Edition. Marathi Translation: Ms. Vidya Bhagwat. Pune: WCCL Foundation.
- Pillai-Balsara, A, Balsara, Z., Chabukswar, A. and Daniel, D. (2010) ABT Supervisor’s Training Manual – a handbook for how to conduct ABT supervisions in the field. Pune: WCCL Foundation.
- Pillai-Balsara, A, (1st Ed. 2017) Pradnya Smriti (Remembering the Wisdom) Guide Pune: WCCL Foundation.
Reports, Papers, and Books by WCCL Team:
- Zubin B. (2008) Automusic – Building Bridges with ABT – A field guide for using Rhythm & Voice for working with children on the autism spectrum. Pune: WCCL Foundation.
- Chabukswar, A. and Daniel, D (2008, 2009) Real World – A field guide (Text & Video) for using ABT for working with children with multiple disabilities. Pune: WCCL Foundation.
- Daniel Deborah, (2013) Best Practices in Arts-Based Therapy in India – An action research report. Pune: WCCL Foundation.
- Uppudi Mamta. & Daniel D. (2010) Emerging Trends in Arts-Based Therapy. Pune: WCCL Foundation.
- MacTavish, H with Balsara Z (2012) Songs, Science & Spirit, Musical Keys to open special doors of ability, San Francisco: Provident Publishing.
- Chabukswar A. (2016) Notes in Tune: Arts-based Therapy (ABT) at Schizophrenia Awareness Association in Pune, India, International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation. Vol 20 (1) 62-77
- Neerja Thergaonkar, Deborah Daniel (2019) Effect of arts based therapy on functionality of children with intellectual disability, J. Indian Assoc. Child Adolesc. Ment. Health 2019; 15(2):55-71
- (2004) Wellsprings: Music, Drama, and Dance Therapies at Sadhana Village, Pune: WCCL Foundation.
- WCCL Foundation(2010) Bridging Fields: ABT Student Project Work in Light of Relevant Research, Pune: WCCL Foundation
Standard Text Books for Mind-Training by WCCL Team:
- Pillai-Balsara, A, Chief Investigation: Dr. Mahesh Deokar. (3rd. Ed. 2016) Applied Buddhist Psychology & Ethics Volume One 1st Ed. 2012, 2nd Ed. 2013, 3rd Ed. 2016. Dept. of Pali, SPPU
- Pillai-Balsara, A, Chief Investigation: Dr. Mahesh Deokar. (3rd. Ed. 2016) Applied Buddhist Psychology & Ethics Volume Two 1st Ed. 2012, 2nd Ed. 2013, 3rd Ed. 2016. Dept. of Pali, SPPU.
- Pillai-Balsara, A, Chief Investigation: Dr. Mahesh Deokar. (3rd. Ed. 2016) Applied Buddhist Psychology & Ethics Practice Guide 1st Ed. 2012, 2nd Ed. 2013, 3rd Ed. 2016. Dept. of Pali, SPPU.
- Prayer Handbook for Bodhi Bhajans First Edition 2016. Pune: WCCL Foundation.
- Triratna Anusmriti Sadhana (English) First Edition 2018. Bir: Siddhartha’s Intent Society India.
- Triratna Anusmriti Sadhana (Hindi) First Edition 2018. Bir: Siddhartha’s Intent Society India.
- Pillai-Balsara, A, (1st Ed. 2015) Teaching as Seva – A Handbook for Buddhist Wisdom & Method for Teachers. Pune: WCCL Foundation
- Pillai-Balsara, A, (1st Ed. 2017) The Bodhi Tree Volume One. Pune: WCCL Foundation.
- Pillai-Balsara, A, (1st Ed. 2017) The Bodhi Tree Volume Two. Pune: WCCL Foundation.
- Pillai-Balsara, A, (1st Ed. 2017) The Bodhi Tree Practice Guide. Pune: WCCL Foundation.
- Pillai-Balsara, A, (2nd Ed. 2018) Healing the Mind Through Knowing the Mind Volume One. Pune: WCCL Foundation.
- Pillai-Balsara, A, (2nd Ed. 2018) Healing the Mind Through Knowing the Mind Volume Two. Pune: WCCL Foundation.
- Pillai-Balsara, A, (2nd Ed. 2018) Healing the Mind Through Knowing the Mind Practice Guide. Pune: WCCL Foundation.
Chapters in Books, Articles and Reports written by WCCL Team:
- Chabukswar A. and Balsara Z. (2016) ‘Converging Lineages: Arts-Based Therapy (ABT) in Contemporary India’ in Jennings S. and Holmwood C (eds.) Routledege International Handbook of Dramatherapy, London: Routledge. Pp. 19 – 25
- Chabukswar A (2003) Birth of a Story, The Prompt (2003), British Association of Dramatherapists, UK, 9-10
— (2004) Story-circles in Deaddiction, Healingstory Alliance, Winter, 12: 10-11
— (2005) Kathaoushadham (Story–medicine): Story-circles in Palliative Care for Cancer, Report: Phase I, Pune: WCCL Foundation
— (2006) Bridging the Worlds: A Case of Brief One-to-one Dramatherapy, Aaina, Pune: Bapu Trust / Centre for Advocacy in Mental Health
— (2009) ‘Making, Breaking and Making Again: Theatre in Search of Healing India’ in Jennings, S. (ed) Dramatherapy and Social Theatre, London: Routledge - ‘Story-Circles’ Dramascope (2003) National Association of Drama Therapy, USA
Articles/Chapters written by others about our work:
- The Sir Dorabjee Tata Trust (2010) ‘Pursuits’ in Colouring Outside the Lines, Mumbai: SDTT
- Jennings, Sue (2009) ‘Recommended Resources for Play Therapists and Dramatherapists’ in The Prompt, Spring 09, UK: Bristish Association of Dramatherapists
- Kashyap, T (2005) My Body, My Wisdom, Penguin: Delhi
- Machado, N., Kaur, A., Pant, N (2009) Education Infrastructure for Complementary Health Practice in India, Mumbai: School of Management & Labour Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences
Legal
Status:
Societies Registration Act
Reg. No.: Mah/1257/2001/Pune Year of Establishment: 6/10/2001
Bombay Public Trust Act
Reg. No.: F – 17972 Year Of Establishment: 6/2/2002
Exemption u/s 80G(5) of Income Tax Act 1961
Form No. 10 AC, Unique Registration Number AAATW0608CF20210 From AY 2022-23 to AY 2026- 2027
PAN No: AAATW0608C
