Integrative Medicine Consultant
Dr. Devi Sundar
Respiratory & Mental Health Advocate · Clinical Director · Educator · Researcher · Author of 10 books & 30+ publications
PhD FHEA PRINCE2 Chartered Manager 23 yrs experience
Dr. Devi Sundar
100K+ YouTube subscribers
Silver Creator Award
30+ peer-reviewed papers
Key specialties

Respiratory Care

Integrative pulmonary rehab & chronic disease management

Mind-Body Medicine

Psychotherapy, neuroscience, hypnotherapy & Ayurveda integration

Higher Education

Curriculum design, teaching & research supervision

Policy & Advocacy

UK Parliamentary & European-level public health engagement

Breathe & Thrive — YouTube
Breathe & Thrive with Devi
100,000+ subscribers · Silver Creator Award

Breathing techniques for anxiety relief

Latest video

Ayurveda & respiratory health explained

Popular

Mind-body connection in chronic illness

Featured
Get in touch
Let's collaborate
Mobile(+44) 7471 677782
General enquiriesteletherapies790@gmail.com
Speaking & partnershipssdevi@tele-therapies.org
Websitestele-therapies.org · mindbodysynergycic.org
LinkedIn
Aligned with UN SDGs
SDG 3 — Good Health SDG 4 — Quality Education SDG 10 — Reduced Inequalities SDG 17 — Partnerships
About

Devi's Professional Portfolio

Integrative Medicine · Clinical Leadership · Research · Education

Dr. Devi Sundar
(+44) 7471 677782
teletherapies790@gmail.com
tele-therapies.org
mindbodysynergycic.org

Who am I?

I'm an Experienced Integrative Medicine Consultant specialising in mind-body health, Clinical Director, and Higher Education Professional with over 23 years of expertise across integrative respiratory therapy, pulmonary rehab, mental health, Ayurveda, neuroscience, hypnotherapy, innovative teaching, quality assurance, project management, and public health research.

I am the Founder of Tele-Therapies and MindBody Synergy CIC, and the creator of the Breathe & Thrive platform — combining deep clinical knowledge with wide public reach to champion the integration of mental health into chronic respiratory disease care.

Author of 10 books and 30+ peer-reviewed publications, I bring an evidence base that is both academically rigorous and practically accessible. My stakeholder engagement spans local, national, and European parliamentary levels.

I invite collaboration with healthcare organisations, academic institutions, policymakers and communities who share the conviction that respiratory health and mental wellbeing are inseparable.

Key specialties

Respiratory Care

Integrative pulmonary rehab & chronic disease management

Mind-Body Medicine

Psychotherapy, neuroscience, hypnotherapy & Ayurveda integration

Higher Education

Curriculum design, teaching & research supervision

Policy & Advocacy

UK Parliamentary & European-level public health engagement

Healthcare Leadership

Strategic management, governance & regulatory compliance

Community Outreach

Public health education for underserved & South Asian communities

Research & Publishing

30+ peer-reviewed papers, 10 books & grant writing

Digital Health & YouTube

100K+ subscribers — Silver Creator Award

Aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 3 — Good Health & Well-being SDG 4 — Quality Education SDG 10 — Reduced Inequalities SDG 17 — Partnerships for Goals
Career

Professional Experience

Over two decades of clinical leadership, education and research in integrative health.

2025 — Present
Director & Founder
MindBody Synergy CIC
Founded MindBody Synergy CIC, advancing integrative mind-body community health programs through creative arts and public health education initiatives.
2023 — Present
Clinical Director & Founder
Tele-Therapies (formerly Lung Rehab Voyage, founded 2021)
Founded in August 2021 as Lung Rehab Voyage; renamed Tele-Therapies in 2023. Produced educational resources, hosted webinars on respiratory and mental health, supported charities including Anxiety UK, COPD Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Nelson Trust, Age UK, and Caring for Communities and People. Contributed as a reviewer for the COPD-Research Advisory Group.
~2018 — 2021
Lecturer in Cardio-Respiratory Physiotherapy
Cardiff University
Designed engaging hybrid team-based learning programs, led modules in Health Promotion, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Motivational Interviewing, and Health Economics. Supervised undergraduate and postgraduate research. Published accredited work on hybrid team-based learning; recognised as a Fellow of Higher Education (FHEA).
2016 — 2018
Clinical Lead — Home Oxygen Services
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Ensured person-centered care prescribing and supported commissioning of oxygen services for chronic respiratory patients.
2007 — 2016
Senior Respiratory Physiotherapist & Pulmonary Rehab Coordinator
St. Michael's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
Led transformative pulmonary rehabilitation initiatives over nearly a decade, mentored students and healthcare professionals, and published research advancing quality improvement. Presented at Irish Thoracic Society, Irish Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, International Lung Health Workshop, and the European Respiratory Society.
2005 — 2007
Senior Primary Care Physiotherapist
Health Service Executive (HSE) — Primary Community & Continuing Care (PCCC), Dublin, Ireland
Delivered senior physiotherapy services within primary and community care settings, building clinical foundations in patient-centred care and multidisciplinary team working across the Dublin region.
Early career
Physiotherapist
Primary & Secondary Care, India
Built clinical and managerial foundations across diverse physiotherapy roles in India, underpinning a career dedicated to education, research, and patient-centered innovation.
Qualifications

Education & Certifications

A multidisciplinary academic foundation spanning three decades.

Academic degrees

2025
PhD in Psychology
Integrative therapies: A Biopsychosocial and Transdisciplinary Care Model for Mind-Body Health in Chronic Respiratory Disease Management
2025
Diploma in Strategic Leadership & Management (Level 7)
Associate of Chartered Management Institute, UK
2025–26
Diploma in Ayurveda
Ongoing
2016
MSc in Respiratory Practice (by Research)
University of Hertfordshire, UK
2010
Postgraduate Diploma in Respiratory Physiotherapy
Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
2005
MSc in Counselling & Psychotherapy
India
2002
BSc in Physiotherapy
Dr. MGR Medical University, India

Certifications & professional training

Certificate in Ayurveda, College of Naturopathic Medicine (2025)
Introduction to Integrative Therapies & Healing Practices, University of Minnesota, USA (2025)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy (2025)
Instructional Methods in Health Professions Education, University of Michigan, USA (2024)
Hypnotherapy Practitioner (2024)
Neuroscience Coach (2024)
Clinical Supervision, BPS-approved (2023)
Breathwork & Yoga Teacher Training (2023 & 2024)
PRINCE2 Foundation — Project Management (2021)
ISO 45001 & ISO 45003 — Quality Management Standards (2021)
Mindfulness Practitioner (2021)
Leadership & Team Management (2021)
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy Practitioner (2020)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapist Practitioner (2020)
Advanced HE Fellow (FHEA, 2019)
Certificate in Monitoring of Clinical Studies, Clinical Research Associate (2012)
Research & Review

Research & Review

30+ peer-reviewed articles, conference proceedings and expert journal reviewing.

Research is a vital professional skill and human behaviour, essential for informing, understanding, adapting, and innovating to enhance the quality of healthcare provided to communities.

Research interests

Integrated Care Service Design Mental Health Pulmonary Rehabilitation Public Health Complementary Therapies Personalised Medicine Behaviour Change Interventions Team-Based Learning Tele-health Chronic Disease Management
ORCID Profile ResearchGate
Research papers
2025
Sundar, D. (2025). Breath & Mind: Closing the Gap of Emotional Breathlessness in Chronic Respiratory Disease — UK National Awareness Survey Report 2025 (2.0). Zenodo. doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17644275
Sundar, D. (2025). Awareness, Knowledge and Perceptions of Pulmonary Rehabilitation Among South Asian Communities in Chronic Respiratory Disease Management: A Cross-Sectional Survey. Am J Med Public Health. 2025; 6(1): 1066.
Sundar, D. (2025). How breathing affects your mind. Healthcare Counselling and Psychotherapy Journal, 16–19. BACP Journal
2024
Sundar, D. (2024). Integrating psychological interventions into holistic management of chronic respiratory diseases: Update review. International Journal of Health Sciences, 8(3), 324–333. doi.org/10.53730/ijhs.v8n3.15202
2021
Perumal SD. Renewed vision on pulmonary rehabilitation service delivery for COPD management beyond COVID-19. Chronic Diseases and Translational Medicine. doi.org/10.1016/j.cdtm.2021.01.003
2020
Hybrid team-based learning in cardiorespiratory physiotherapy in higher education. IOSR Journal of Research & Method in Education 10(6), pp. 19–35. DOI: 10.9790/7388-1006021928.
Perumal, Shakila Devi. Is COVID-19 an Invitation to Reconfigure or Reinvent Pulmonary Rehabilitation Service Delivery? (December 11, 2020). SSRN 3747166
Renewed Vision on Pulmonary Rehabilitation Service Delivery Beyond COVID-19 (December 20, 2020). SSRN 3753471
2016
S D Perumal. "Is There Any Simple Tool to Enhance Physical Activity in Patients With COPD?". EC Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine. ecronicon.net/assets/ecprm/pdf/ECPRM-02-000029.pdf
Research newsletters & blogs
2024
Mind and lung: unifying psychotherapy and chronic respiratory care — BACP Blog. Read on BACP
2020
Primary Care Respiratory Society, May Edition — Moving pulmonary rehabilitation in primary care for patients with COPD using telemedicine. Read
Primary Care Respiratory Society, April Edition — A call for future vision on Pulmonary Rehabilitation: What matters to patients? Read
2019
Advance HE Collaborate — Content and language integrated learning in postgraduate studies. Read on Advance HE
Clinical research & audit
2025 · Glasgow
7th Forum of Respiratory Tract Infections, Glasgow (2025). Integration of psychological interventions into holistic management of chronic respiratory diseases.
2015 · Dublin, Ireland
SD Perumal, TMJ McDonnell (2015). Impact of oxygen measure site for ambulatory oxygen prescription. St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin.
Innovative strategies to optimize demand on pulmonary rehabilitation service. Irish Thoracic Society, November 2015. ResearchGate. The effects of walking prescription to promote physical activity in COPD.
2015 · Amsterdam
September 2015 — European Respiratory Society Annual Congress, Amsterdam. Impact of walking prescription on the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD patients with high body mass index.
2015 · Spain
February 2015 — 2nd International Lung Workshop, Spain. Impact of walking prescription on the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD patients with high body mass index.
2014 · Dublin, Ireland
SD Perumal, TMJ McDonnell (2014). Understanding patient needs in pulmonary rehabilitation. Clinical Research Audit Conference, St. Vincent's Healthcare, Dublin.
2011 · Dublin, Ireland
SD Perumal, MF O'Driscoll, M Ward, TMJ McDonnell (2011). Are we prescribing LTOT appropriately in pulmonary rehab? St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin.
SD Perumal, MF O'Driscoll, M Ward, TMJ McDonnell (2011). Oxygen prescription in the wards. St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin.

Peer Reviewer

Dr. Sundar serves as a peer reviewer for leading journals and organisations, including:

Frontiers BMJ European Respiratory Society International Journal of Chronic Respiratory Disease Respiratory Care Journal Public Health Journal Online Learning Journal
Published Works

Books by Devi Sundar

Practical guides, journals and self-help resources spanning breath, mind-body medicine and personal resilience

All titles are available on Amazon. Whether you are a patient, clinician, carer or coach, these books offer evidence-informed insights drawn from Dr. Sundar's 23+ years of clinical, academic and advocacy work.

View all books on Amazon
1

Breath Beyond Illness: A Mind Body Approach to Living with Lung Conditions

Integrating breathwork, psychology and pulmonary care for patients living with chronic lung disease.

2

Bridging Cultures and Care: South Asian Perspectives on Lung Rehabilitation in the United Kingdom

Addressing health inequalities and culturally sensitive pulmonary rehabilitation for South Asian communities.

3

365 Breath Journal

A daily guided journal for breath awareness, mindfulness and lung health — one page at a time.

4

Power of LUMA Breath

An exploration of the LUMA breathwork method and its transformative effects on wellbeing and energy.

5

Breathe Better — A Pocket Guide to Optimal Breathing

A compact, accessible guide to breathing techniques for everyday health and performance.

6

Unleashing Self-Confidence: The Ultimate Guide to Boosting Your Inner Strength

Evidence-based strategies to build unshakeable self-confidence and authentic self-expression.

7

Resilience Toolkit: Your Guide to Building Inner Strength and Thriving Through Adversity

Practical tools drawn from neuroscience, Ayurveda and psychotherapy for resilience in daily life.

8

Agile Lean Life: A Journey to Your New Version

Applying agile and lean principles to personal growth, habit change and life redesign.

9

Sleep Guide and Workbook

A clinical and holistic guide to improving sleep quality through evidence-based and integrative approaches.

10

Befriend Your Anxiety and Depression: A Self-Help Guide for Patients with COPD

A compassionate guide addressing the mental health burden of COPD, written for patients and carers.

Collaboration

Work with me

Expert consultation, education, research and speaking — how can I help?

If you're looking for a dynamic collaborator who brings expertise, passion, and innovation to every project, let's connect. I offer a wealth of experience in integrated therapies, healthcare education, and quality assurance — whether you need expert consultation, engaging educational content, or research supervision.

Consulting

Tailored advice on respiratory care, mental health, and healthcare management for clinics, organisations and policy bodies.

Education & training

Webinars, workshops, and educational resources designed for healthcare professionals, students and community groups.

Research collaboration

Supervision, peer review, and publishing support. Experienced in grant writing and funding acquisition.

Speaking engagements

Inspiring keynote talks on neuroscience, respiratory health, mental health, and operational excellence at national and international forums.

Community outreach

Free lung and mental health education initiatives for underserved and South Asian communities across the UK.

Digital health & YouTube

Collaboration on digital health content, YouTube education series, and evidence-based public health media.

2026 meeting availability

Please email to request specific times within the available hours below.

Monday & Wednesday
11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Mobile
(+44) 7471 677782
General enquiries
teletherapies790@gmail.com
Speaking & partnerships
sdevi@tele-therapies.org
Websites
tele-therapies.org  ·  mindbodysynergycic.org
Latest

News

Research findings, survey results and public health commentary.

October 2025 · UK
New survey report

7 in 10 UK adults unaware of the mental health impact of chronic lung conditions

2,100+UK adults surveyed (YouGov)
31%Recognise the mind–lung link
69%Unaware of emotional breathlessness

A new nationwide survey of more than 2,100 UK adults, conducted by YouGov and commissioned by Dr. Devi Sundar — founder of Tele-Therapies and MindBody Synergy CIC — exposes a critical awareness gap. Only 31% of adults in the UK recognise that chronic respiratory diseases can have serious mental health impacts. That means nearly seven in ten people are unaware of the emotional reality faced by millions.

"When emotional breathlessness goes unnoticed, it doesn't just affect mental health — it worsens physical health too."

A silent crisis

This lack of awareness is particularly pronounced among younger adults (18–24 years, 32%) and men (28%), while women (34%) and older adults (55+, 36%) show slightly higher recognition. Working-age adults stand out with the lowest levels of awareness overall — only 14% say they are "very aware," while one in four (25%) admit they are "not aware at all."

Awareness also differs across life circumstances. Separated or divorced adults (38%) and widowed individuals (33%) are more likely to understand these challenges — possibly because of lived experience or caregiving roles.

Regional gaps and their impact

The survey revealed striking regional variation. Awareness is highest in Wales (37%), the South West (35%) and Northern Ireland (33%), and lowest in the South East (27%) and East of England (29%). These differences reflect how local health messaging and community support can shape understanding — or leave gaps.

Integrating mind and lungs

Over two decades of clinical work, I have seen this disconnect repeatedly. Treating the lungs alone is not enough. At Tele-Therapies and MindBody Synergy CIC, we have developed culturally sensitive, trauma-informed programs that combine psychotherapy, neuroscience, Ayurveda, and breath-based rehabilitation. When psychological care is embedded into respiratory treatment, patients cope better, recover more fully, and feel less alone.

Dr. Devi Sundar's call for action

  1. Public awareness campaigns to shine a light on the emotional burden of chronic lung disease.
  2. Routine psychological screening and support embedded within pulmonary rehabilitation.
  3. Clinician training in trauma-informed and culturally sensitive care.
  4. Targeted funding for models that treat both body and mind — not one or the other.

The mind and lungs are intimately connected, communicating through breath and the nervous system. Breath is life. It's time our health system treated it that way — not just with inhalers and oxygen, but with empathy, awareness, and psychological support.

Advocacy

Campaigns

Policy change and public awareness for integrated respiratory and mental health care.

End the crisis of emotional breathlessness for 7.5 million people

Sign the petition
7.5Mpeople in the UK with chronic respiratory disease
1 in 8UK adults affected — yet care treats only half the patient
69%unaware of the vital mind–lung connection (UK Survey 2025)
600MCOPD cases projected globally by 2050

Chronic respiratory diseases affect 7.5 million people in the UK — 1 in 8 — yet current care treats only half the patient. The UK National Awareness Survey Report 2025 shows 7 in 10 people are unaware of the vital mind–lung connection.

For those with COPD, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, and bronchiectasis, breathlessness is both physical and emotional — an "Emotional Breathlessness" cycle. This bidirectional loop between anxiety and dyspnoea drives avoidable admissions and erodes quality of life, reflecting a failure in care pathways.

With COPD cases projected to reach 600 million globally by 2050, the UK must act now to integrate mind–breath care into national policy.

Stop ignoring the terror of breathlessness for lung patients

Sign the petition
12,286people diagnosed with COPD in Gloucestershire
~8,000"Hidden" undiagnosed and untreated in Gloucestershire alone

As a respiratory and mental health specialist with over 22 years' experience, I witness this vicious cycle daily. In Gloucestershire, 12,286 people are diagnosed with COPD, yet a "Hidden 8,000" remain undiagnosed and untreated — a picture replicated across the UK.

For many, breathlessness is not only physical but compounded by ignored "emotional breathlessness" and panic. This reflects a global emergency, with COPD cases projected to reach nearly 600 million by 2050.

I call on Gloucestershire Health Authorities to act through mandatory mental health screening, proactive case-finding, and integrated comorbidity care. No patient should face breathlessness — physical or emotional — alone.