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Ankur Counseling Center

Ankur is the Sanskrit word for “flower bud,” “sapling,” or “sprout”.

It’s also the name of Nepal’s first counseling center for children—NYF’s Ankur Counseling Center.

Founded in 2006, Ankur provides compassionate, evidence-based psychological care for children and youth recovering from trauma, facing mental health challenges, or simply needing emotional support. The center also offers group therapy, community awareness programs, and professional training to strengthen mental health services across Nepal.

Almost every NYF program involves services provided through Ankur. From routine therapy for children at Olgapuri Children’s Village, to goal-setting workshops for vocational trainees, to peer counseling for young women in Saptari—Ankur’s work is woven throughout NYF’s impact. The team also partners with schools and universities, helping young people recognize early signs of mental health issues, and provides therapy for women experiencing domestic violence, among other initiatives.

Each year, Ankur conducts more than 1,300 individual therapy sessions and 200+ group sessions, reaching over 500 children and youth across Nepal.

Children participate in a yoga class led at Ankur Counseling Center. The practice has become a vital tool in mental wellness and stress management across the world, but it originated right here in Nepal and Northern India! Ankur counselors love opportunities to use culturally-meaningful practices to help children deal with everyday stresses - as well as tougher challenges.

Ankur Counseling Center’s therapists use a variety of approaches and methods, drawing from diverse techniques including:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Sand play and clay therapy
Mandala and expressive art therapy
Relaxation and mindfulness practices

Through these approaches, Ankur helps children develop resilience, self-esteem, emotional awareness, and coping skills.

NYF staff members participate in an Ankur workshop, learning the basics of sand-play therapy. Understanding these tools will help the adults better relate to the children NYF cares for, and the ways children express complex feelings.

Why Ankur?

Mental health care in Nepal remains deeply under-resourced. Fewer than 1% of hospitals have specialized mental health services, and stigma and lack of awareness still prevent most people from seeking help. Many equate emotional distress with weakness or bad luck.

Ankur is helping dismantle these barriers by showing that mental wellness is essential for every child’s growth, learning, and relationships. Through school workshops, university lectures, and partnerships with local organizations, Ankur is building a culture of empathy and understanding around mental health.

Ankur’s long-term vision is to create a Nepal where every child and family can access mental health care without stigma or fear. By nurturing awareness, training local leaders, and empowering young people to speak openly about their emotional wellbeing, Ankur is laying the foundation for a more compassionate, resilient Nepal.

During each school holiday, Olgapuri Children's Village transforms into a space of self-discovery and healing through the Psychological Care Camp! Led by NYF’s Ankur Counseling Center, this year’s camp helped young minds build self-awareness, express emotions, and strengthen their sense of belonging—one creative (and very colorful) activity at a time.

Ankur's Community Mental Health Program

Launched in 2023 in partnership with Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Ankur’s Community Mental Health Program expands access to counseling and awareness beyond its center.

Key initiatives include:

Maan Chautari (Mental Health Desks): Monthly safe spaces in schools and communities where participants can share their feelings and practice self-expression with peers and counselors.
Basic Counseling Training: Workshops for teachers, healthcare workers, and local leaders to identify psychological distress, provide first-line support, and refer severe cases.
Outreach Activities: Awareness events, art therapy, and dialogue-based gatherings to normalize mental health conversations.

Early findings from community surveys revealed that over 25% of participants had experienced suicidal thoughts without realizing it was a mental health issue. Ankur’s programs directly address this by teaching people how to recognize warning signs, seek support, and help others.

Maan Chautari (Mental Health Desks) are monthly safe spaces in schools where students learn alongside Ankur's therapists on emotional and mental wellbeing and best practices.

World Mental Health Day

Each year, Ankur Counseling Center commemorates World Mental Health Day by hosting creative, community-centered events. Activities often include art displays, awareness booths, and open spaces for storytelling and listening. These gatherings emphasize that mental health care extends beyond counseling rooms—it thrives in connection, creativity, and compassion.

Each year, one message remains clear: You are not alone.