Making Sense of Mental Health and Wellbeing in Primary Schools: A Practical, Neuroscience-Based Guide is my latest peer-reviewed book, to be published by Routledge in November 2025.

From the book cover: Building on the latest research in developmental neuroscience, this book provides an evidence-based, accessible and practical roadmap for those looking for more effective ways to support primary school pupils’ mental health and wellbeing.

The book begins by analysing current approaches before presenting a new, comprehensive framework for mental health and wellbeing curricula in primary schools. Focusing on building up mental health knowledge and key skills of children in a neuroscience-informed and age-appropriate way, the book:

  • Translates key developmental processes in the mind and brain into learning outcomes, knowledge and skills with focus on Reception stage, KS1, and lower and upper KS2
  • Lays out a 7-step, trauma-informed pedagogical approach for teaching mental health and wellbeing and provides a plethora of relevant activity examples
  • Looks at the implementation of the curriculum framework as a whole school approach in primary schools, including its positioning within wider social contexts
  • Explains key terms, with case studies and reflection opportunities throughout.

This innovative book is a must-have guide for primary school educators interested in understanding the mental health and wellbeing development of their pupils and finding research-based ways to effectively support them long-term. It is also valuable reading for pastoral leaders in

Neuroscience and Psychology of Meditation in Everyday Life is my second-peer reviewed book published by Routledge. The book applies my scientific theory specifying processes in the mind and brain modified by meditation in explaining the long-term effects of six meditation practices: mindfulness, compassion, visualization-based meditation techniques, dream yoga, insight-based meditation and abiding in the existential ground of experience. Each of these practices is also considered from a practical perspective, answering the following question: What would embedding these practices into one’s everyday life look like? The final chapter explores the transformational potential of meditation in its different areas of application, such as psychotherapy and healthcare, and in human society more broadly. 

What others have said about the book: “Dusana Dorjee masterfully presents a wealth of information from diverse areas – neuroscience, psychology of meditation, contemplative practices, the book lays out the essence of six meditation practices, the changes that occur in the brain as a result of short – and long-term formal and informal practices, and how meditation enhances our general well-being. One of the great strengths of the book is that it presents the material in a very accessible form that can be used by practitioners and researchers alike.”

-Nirbay N. Singh, PhD, Editor-in-Chief, Mindfulness, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Health Behavior, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, USA

Mind, Brain and the Path to Happiness is my first peer-reviewed book, published by Routledge. It explores the whole path of meditation training by comparing the traditional Buddhist perspective on the different aspects of mind-training in meditation to relevant findings from Western psychological and neuroscientific research. The progression of topics starts with a discussion about Buddhist and Western notions of happiness and wellbeing. The book then gradually considers different types and stages of meditation training – those developing motivation and intention for meditation practice, fostering attention skills, cultivating emotional balance and finally exploring different states of awareness. The final part of the book considers what enlightenment might mean from the perspective of Western psychology and neuroscience and what lessons meditation traditions hold for uncovering the potential of humanity for happiness and wellbeing. 

What others have said about the book: “This book, written by  a research cognitive neuroscientist who is also a recognized teacher within the Tibetan Dzogchen tradition, offers a wonderfully accessible and authoritative account of the comprehensive path to greater well-being and inner freedom, and describes how it links with the latest neuroscientific research.” John Teasdale, PhD, co-author, The Mindful Way Through Depression

“We applaud Dorjee for a well-articulated and courageous contribution. As the field of meditation research continues to mature and grow, books like this one are important stepping stones. They also highlight the importance for scientists in this field to educate themselves in the contemplative traditions underlying the practices they seek to investigate… Dorjee sets an inspiring example.”                                 
Gaelle Desbordes and Willa B. Miller, PsycCRITIQUES

“As an entry point into studying Buddhist tradition through the framework of what is understood currently in neuroscience or psychology generally, the book presents a particularly interesting school of thought that can open the door for readers into learning more about eastern spiritual and psychological conceptions. It can serve equally well as a practice book during clinical work, a guide for research, or as casual reading for those wishing to integrate Buddhist practices or mindfulness into their regular lives.”                                                                                                                                                Michael Fiorini, International Journal of Psychotherapy

“In this slim volume Dorjee (cognitive neuroscience, Bangor Univ., UK) offers an impressive accounting of the current scientific status of Buddhist meditation and practice. …[T]hose new to contemplative science will find this book of value… Summing Up: Recommended.”                                                                                                                               M. Uebel, University of Texas, CHOICE