Dr. Harsha Agarwal

Professional Journey

A dedicated psychologist with over 15 years of diverse experience in mental health, education, research, and psycho-oncology. My academic foundation in psychology (BA, MA, and PhD) has supported a progressive career beginning in freelance counseling and extending to leadership roles in clinical and academic settings. I have worked across schools, hospitals, and research institutes, gaining expertise in therapeutic interventions, curriculum development, psychological assessment, and psychosocial oncology.

Since 2018, I have been serving as the Head of Psycho-Oncology at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre (RGCIRC), Delhi, where I lead a multidisciplinary team, manage clinical services, and oversee research initiatives aimed at improving the psychological care of cancer patients. My career reflects a consistent commitment to patient-centered care, mental health advocacy, and the integration of psychological support in medical settings.

LANDMARKS AT RGCIRC

• Organized first ever hands on training cum full day national level workshop for doctors (oncologist/clinical psychologist/psychologist/onco care nursing staff on understanding and handling psychological needs of cancer patients and their caregivers.
• Credited with establishment of OPD for psychological services at RGCIRC with the support of medical director.

LANDMARKS IN RESEARCH

• Researched on psychological antecedents of cancer patients under treatment in a tertiary cancer care centre.
• Researched on psychological antecedents of caregivers of patients under treatment in a tertiary cancer care centre.
• Researched on psychological antecedents of healthcare professions in a tertiary cancer care centre.
• Credited with first research on gambling addiction among adolescents in India.

AWARDS

• Outstanding performer of the year 2024, by RGCIRC
• World’s best 40 under 40 at BW HEALTHCARE SUBMIT ,2024
• Service excellence in psycho oncology at Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam health awards, 2023
• Most promising psycho oncologist of the year 2022, by nationwide health care awards
• Corona warrior honor by an NGO for health and social welfare in June,2020
• Outstanding performance and best employee of the year (2018-2019) by RGCIRC, October 2019

PUBLICATIONS

News paper Articles

• Articles on effects of yoga on mental health of cancer patients published in various newspapers and magazines such as, The pioneer, Rastriya Sahara, Navbharat times, Punjab Kesari, Indian Horizon, Dainik Bhaskar, IANSlife.in (cover story) and live Hindustan.com

Author & Editor

• Kapur, N., Singh, P.& Agarwal, H. (2017). Psychology. Delhi, Delhi: V.L. Media Solutions

Chapters

• Agarwal, H. (2017). Health Psychology with reference to addictions, weight management, chronic heart disease and oncology in psychology. Delhi, Delhi: V.L. Media Solutions.
• Agarwal, H. & Narula, P.S. (2017). Emotional intelligence. In psychology. Delhi, Delhi: V. L. Media Solutions.

Articles

• Agarwal, H., Rana, S., & Pal, S. (2023). Evaluation of Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in Patients Undergoing Initial Oncology Treatment: A Clinical Study. Journal of Precision Oncology, 3(1), 30-34.
• Agarwal, H., Rana, S., & Mittal, D. (2023). Evaluating the Psychosocial Determinants of Patients and Caregivers Seeking Treatment at a Tertiary Cancer Care Center: A Clinical Study. Journal of Precision Oncology, 3(1), 23-29.
• Understanding the difference between a psychologist and psychiatrist. Shodh International: A Multidisciplinary International Journal (In Hindi) Vol.7, issue 1- 2022
• Agarwal, H., Talwar, V., Anand, S., Goel, V., & Patnaik, N. Psychological Challenges Encountered By Health Care Professionals Having a Risk of Accidental Exposure and Its Impact on Their Wellbeing in a Non-Covid Hospital During the Prevailing Pandemic. International journal of health sciences, 6(S3), 816-822. [2022]
• Rana, S., & Agarwal, H. (2022). Assessment of Emotional Autonomy Among Teenagers and Parenting Styles Adopted by Primary Parent in a Selected Sample of Delhi Region. International Journal of Indian Psychȯlogy, 10(2).
• Sehgal, M., & Agarwal,H. 92014). A comparative study of problem gamblers and non-gamblers on stress, coping and parental bonding. Asian journal of psychology.
• Agarwal, H., Kaur, G.I.J., & Singh, P. (2013). Locus of control, sensation seeking and stress. Indian journal of psychology, Special issue, 1441-43.