Neesa Suncheuri Sunar, LMSW

Welcome! I'm glad you're here!

I'm a PhD researcher at the University of Salford near Manchester, England, supported by the Leverhulme Trust Aural Diversity Doctoral Research Hub (LAURA). I'm researching aphantasia in musicians, a condition which I myself have. Aphantasia is a distinct cognitive profile which causes an inability to see voluntary imagery in the mind's eye. That can entail pictures of memories, or inner music.

I've worked in the NYC non-profit mental health sector since 2014. I earned a MSW social work degree from the Silberman School of Social Work at CUNY Hunter College, and I've offered telehealth psychotherapy (under clinical supervision) since 2021. I  have worked in the NYC public mental health sector since 2014, with prior expertise and extensive training in peer support. I've also completed professional trainings in CBT, DBT, and the Open Dialogue approach from Finland. 

I also am a classical musician on viola. I earned a BM degree in viola performance from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University Bloomington. I studied viola performance, and also violin/viola pedagogy and baroque performance practice. I continue to teach violin and viola to students of all ages, and now integrate my musical background into my present PhD research.

I also bring experience as a grant writing consultant. I have assisted artists, ensembles, and non-profit organizations in securing funding for their work. I bring expertise in numerous sectors encompassing musical projects, community arts programs which narrow the inequity gap, social services, behavioral health, disability services, DEI programs, and community building.

Please feel free to reach out to me, if you'd like to  I have assisted artists, ensembles, and non-profit organizations in securing funding for their work. I bring expertise in numerous sectors encompassing musical proj community arts programs which narrow the inequity gap, social services, behavioral health, disability services, DEI programs, and community building.