Dr. Navodhi Hewage
Her Story. Her Strength. By: Dr. Sulochana Segera
Dr. Navodhi Hewage is a highly experienced Clinical Psychologist with more than two decades of practice spanning Sri Lanka and Canada. Her work focuses on developmental disabilities, mental health, and dual diagnosis, supported by advanced expertise in Applied Behaviour Analysis and international certification as a Behaviour Analyst. Beyond her clinical qualifications, Dr. Hewage is deeply committed to fostering meaningful connections between individuals, families, caregivers, organisations, and communities. Her approach is rooted in both scientific knowledge and lived experience, allowing her to design support systems that are practical, inclusive, and person-centred. She is a strong advocate for equity and social justice in mental health care, striving to ensure that every individual, regardless of circumstance, has access to opportunities that enhance their quality of life. Her work reflects not just professional dedication, but a genuine commitment to empowering people to thrive in complex and often challenging environments.
You’ve worked across Sri Lanka and Canada in highly complex clinical settings. What first drew you to clinical psychology, and what has kept you committed for over two decades?
What initially drew me to clinical psychology was deeply personal. I grew up in a family where mental health challenges and developmental disabilities were part of our lived reality. I experienced firsthand the emotional weight, the confusion, and the difficulty of navigating systems that often-lacked understanding or compassion. Those early experiences stayed with me and shaped how I saw the world. Interestingly, my professional journey did not begin in psychology. I started out in the corporate sector as a banker. That phase of my life was equally important because it gave me clarity about what did not align with my values. It helped me recognise that I was seeking something more meaningful, something that resonated with who I am at a deeper level. What has sustained my commitment over the past twenty years is the constant growth this field demands. Clinical work challenges me to reflect, adapt, and improve continuously. It pushes me intellectually and emotionally, while also offering the profound reward of contributing to meaningful change. This work is not just a career; it is an integral part of my identity and purpose.
Beyond your professional titles, how have your roles as a mother, wife, and individual influenced your approach to mental health?
My personal roles have had a profound influence on how I understand and approach mental health. Being a mother, a wife, and simply a person navigating life’s complexities has provided me with insights that no academic training alone could offer. These roles bring me closer to the realities people face every day, the unpredictability, the emotional demands, and the constant balancing of responsibilities. At the same time, I see myself as more than these roles. I am also a daughter, a friend, a traveller, and a lifelong learner. Each of these identities offers a different perspective on human behaviour and relationships. They allow me to see people not just through a clinical lens, but through a deeply human one.
This lived experience keeps me grounded and reminds me that life rarely fits neatly into theoretical frameworks. It encourages humility and curiosity—recognising that I do not have all the answers, and that understanding often begins with listening. These experiences shape my work by helping me bring empathy, authenticity, and flexibility into every interaction.
You mention working with people “beyond labels and presentations.” What does that look like in practice?
Working beyond labels means recognising that while diagnoses are useful, they are not definitive descriptions of a person. Labels can guide clinical thinking, inform risk, and support evidence-based interventions, but they represent only one aspect of an individual’s experience. In practice, this approach involves remaining curious about the person’s lived reality. It means understanding how their challenges manifest in daily life, the context in which they occur, and the meaning they attach to those experiences. It also involves identifying strengths, coping strategies, relationships, and environmental factors that influence their wellbeing. Rather than applying standardised solutions, I focus on tailoring interventions to the individual. Each person’s story is unique, and meaningful change looks different for everyone. The diagnosis informs the framework, but the individual remains at the centre of the work.
You work closely with organisations on mental health. What are companies still getting wrong about workplace wellbeing?
I would not necessarily say organisations are getting it wrong, but many are missing a broader perspective. Workplace wellbeing is often treated as an add-on, something separate from the core functioning of the organisation. In reality, organisations are human systems. Wellbeing is shaped by everyday interactions, leadership styles, communication patterns, and workload expectations. When organisations focus only on isolated initiatives, such as workshops or wellness programmes, they risk overlooking the deeper structural factors that influence mental health. Sustainable wellbeing comes from embedding supportive practices into the organisational culture. This includes fostering psychological safety, promoting respectful communication, and creating realistic expectations around performance. When wellbeing becomes part of how an organisation operates daily, it becomes more meaningful and effective.
Many people gain insight but struggle to change. How do you bridge the gap between understanding and action?
This gap is very common. I tend to view change as a progression rather than a single step. It begins with curiosity, which leads to knowledge, then understanding, and eventually action. Often, individuals are still in the earlier stages of this process. They may have access to information but have not yet internalised it in a way that translates into meaningful understanding. Without that deeper connection, action can feel forced or unsustainable.
To bridge this gap, I focus on nurturing curiosity and encouraging reflection. When people engage more deeply with what they are learning, understanding develops naturally. From that place, action becomes more aligned and easier to maintain. It is less about pushing behaviour change and more about supporting the process that leads to it.
In your experience, what is often missed in traditional approaches to diagnosing anxiety, depression, ASD, or learning difficulties?
One key area that is sometimes overlooked is the need for continuous reflection on how we, as clinicians, apply our knowledge. Diagnostic frameworks are grounded in research and provide essential structure, but they can become rigid if not regularly re-evaluated in light of new evidence and evolving perspectives. I rely heavily on current research to stay informed, but I also question how these frameworks are used in practice. The critical issue is whether the individual’s lived experience is being fully captured, or whether something is being lost in translation. The challenge is not with the validity of diagnoses themselves, but with ensuring that they are applied in a nuanced and person-centred way. The goal is to understand the individual in their full complexity, rather than reducing them to a set of symptoms or categories.
You have extensive experience in autism and developmental disabilities. What are the most important things parents need to understand early on?
One of the most important things for parents to understand is that developmental differences are not caused by anything they did. Letting go of that belief can relieve a significant emotional burden and create space for more constructive engagement. Psychoeducation is essential. When parents have a clear understanding of their child’s developmental profile, they are better equipped to respond in supportive and effective ways. Early intervention is also important; not to “fix” the child, but to strengthen communication, skills, and overall functioning. Equally important is recognising the child as an individual beyond the diagnosis. Each child has their own strengths, needs, and developmental trajectory. Embracing this perspective helps create a more supportive and accepting environment for growth.
From your experience, how would you describe the current state of mental health awareness in Sri Lanka?
This is a complex question. Based on my observations and interactions, I would estimate mental health awareness in Sri Lanka to be around 4 out of 10 when compared to more developed Western contexts. There is increasing recognition that mental health is important, which is a positive shift. However, the depth of understanding, openness to discussion, and willingness to engage with mental health services are still developing. There is clearly a growing need, but readiness varies. The challenge lies not just in raising awareness, but in ensuring that people are prepared to receive, internalise, and act on that information in meaningful ways.
Despite growing awareness, stigma still exists. What does stigma look like in the Sri Lankan context?
Stigma remains a significant barrier. Although there has been progress over the past 25 years, mental health is still considered a sensitive or even taboo topic in many contexts. Stigma often appears as fear of judgment, limited acceptance, and deeply ingrained cultural beliefs. These factors can prevent individuals from seeking help or even acknowledging their struggles. In many cases, people delay support until their difficulties become more severe. Another issue is that mental health is not always given the same level of importance as physical health. This lack of parity reinforces silence and discourages open conversations. Addressing stigma requires not only awareness but also cultural shifts in how mental health is perceived and discussed.
Sri Lanka has recently been ranked among the world’s least happiest countries. How do you interpret this from a psychological perspective?
From a psychological standpoint, this reflects the impact of broader societal conditions on emotional wellbeing. Factors such as uncertainty, prolonged stress, and a reduced sense of control can significantly influence how individuals experience their lives. When these conditions persist, they can affect coping mechanisms, emotional regulation, and overall outlook. At a collective level, this often translates into lower levels of life satisfaction and wellbeing. Cultural attitudes toward expressing distress and seeking support also play a role. If individuals feel unable to openly discuss their struggles, it can further impact overall mental health. However, it is important to recognise resilience. Despite these challenges, Sri Lanka remains one of the most resilient nations I have observed. There is strength within communities and individuals that continues to endure, even in the face of adversity.
