Annet Shaju
Psychotherapist
- Referred by a therapist
Hi, I'm Annet! I see therapy as a space where experiences can be explored slowly and honestly, including the parts that feel uncomfortable, confusing, or unresolved. For me, therapy isn’t always about arriving at a neat or concrete outcome. Instead, it offers a place to learn from lived experiences, reflect on them, and make more conscious choices about who we are becoming.
My journey into therapy has been shaped by a deep curiosity about relationships, how they form, how they fracture, and how they mirror our inner worlds. I work with an intersectional lens, holding awareness of how identity, power, culture, and social contexts shape emotional experiences. I’m particularly attentive to the relational space between therapist and client, seeing it as a microcosm of how we relate to others outside the therapy room.
In my work, I value slowness, reflection, and emotional honesty. I believe meaningful change often emerges not from quick solutions, but from staying with experiences long enough to understand them more deeply. Therapy with me is an invitation to explore patterns, sit with complexity, and gently make sense of yourself in a way that feels humane, grounded, and real.
950+ hours of work in therapy
I didn't stop learning after my masters, I have been continuously investing in practical case-based training, client work, and my own personal therapy.
We show therapy sessions so you can better understand a therapist's real-world experience.
Two therapists may both have five years in practice, yet one might have completed 500 sessions while another has completed 3,000. This depends on whether they practice part-time or full-time and how consistently they see clients. Session counts make that difference visible.
Just as you would not trust a surgeon who has only read about the human body but never operated, therapy cannot be mastered through textbooks alone. While many master's programs in India are heavily theory-driven, practical training develops the real skill of therapy - learning how to ask the right question, when to hold silence, when to challenge, and how to respond in complex emotional moments.
Therapists are human, and they carry their own histories. When a client's experiences resemble their own, old patterns can get activated.
For example, if a therapist grew up with a highly critical parent and a client shares a similar experience, that old pattern can get activated. They may unconsciously over-identify, rescue, or react instead of staying objective. Personal therapy helps therapists recognise their own triggers and patterns so they can respond thoughtfully and continue to hold a non-judgemental space. Nobody is born non judgemental, it takes a lot of personal work to get there.
6+ years of in-depth, practical training in psychotherapy post masters
- 5+ years (and ongoing) of advanced training in Transactional Analysis from International Transactional Analysis Association (ITAA)
- Awardee of international research grants from the International Association of Relationship Research and the APA Division 9 - Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, for research on violence in relationships
Educational Qualifications
- B.A. in Psychology, English & Journalism, Mount Carmel College, Bangalore
- M.Sc. in Psychology, Montfort College, Bangalore
- Ph.D. in Psychology (Pursuing) at Christ University, Bangalore
✨ Annet has undergone advanced training in Transactional Analysis for over 5 years through the International Transactional Analysis Association (ITAA), the globally recognised standard body for TA training.
I’ve worked with clients across different life stages from young adults navigating identity and relationships, to working professionals carrying emotional and relational stress, to individuals engaging with deeper questions of meaning and selfhood.
You are in the right place if you are not primarily seeking support for addiction, neuro-developmental disorders or psychosis.
Approaches I Use
- Transactional Analysis
- Trauma-Informed Therapy
✨ Annet works relationally and with a keen awareness of how identity, culture, and life experiences shape the way we feel and relate. Rather than pushing for quick outcomes, she helps you slow down, notice patterns, and understand yourself more honestly over time.
What sessions with me feel like
My sessions are intentionally open. I don't work from a fixed agenda and you don't need to arrive with clear goals or a neat problem to solve. We explore what comes up, through conversation, reflection, and noticing what keeps showing up over time.
I'm also attentive to what happens between us in the room itself, how you respond, what feels easy or difficult to say, and what that might reveal. Goals tend to emerge gradually as your understanding deepens, and when they do, we hold them loosely rather than rigidly. The pace is yours, and there's room here for uncertainty, discomfort, and honesty to coexist.
Session Basics
Languages
Fluent in English and Malayalam;
Understands Hindi
Location
Bengaluru, India
Mode
Online only
Duration
50 minutes
Available for
Individual Therapy
Rescheduling/Cancellation Policy
24-hour notice required
Outside therapy
I’m usually chasing small pockets of joy, getting lost in a good book or series, doting over my houseplants, planning the next trek, or daydreaming with a cup of coffee. I’m learning to hold both grief and joy at the same time, and through it all, my cats remain my constant, furry little anchors keeping me grounded.
What clients say
"I’ve been seeing Annet since earlier this year and it’s been a wonderful journey of getting to know myself more deeply. What I appreciate most is how accessible and human she makes therapy feel. Almost every session leaves me feeling lighter and clearer. I also admire how Annet shares parts of her own journey when it connects to what I’m going through. It makes the space feel real and relatable, and has changed how I see the role of a therapist."
Male, 25, Bangalore
"Ms. Annet is a very kind and non-judgmental therapist. I was initially anxious about starting therapy, worrying that I might be judged or made to feel negative about myself. However, she consistently provides a safe and supportive space where I feel heard and understood. After a few sessions, I noticed a positive shift in how I see myself and began feeling more confident and self-assured. I am very grateful for her guidance and professionalism."
Female, Late 30s, UK
"I have been taking sessions with Annet for about 9 months now and they have immensely helped manage my anxiety and learning emotional regulation. What I appreciate most is that she creates a very safe and non-judgmental space, which has made it easier for me to open up. And it is beyond just building self-awareness. Annet also shares tools and fun things I can actually implement in real-life situations when things feel overwhelming. I am always amazed by how she is able to capture the essence of what I am trying to express, sometimes even better than I can articulate or realise it myself. I am very grateful for the support and guidance I have received through this journey."
Female, Late 20s, Pune
I've been referred to Mindbun by therapist Ramya Navin.
Therapists know what good therapy feels like. That's why this referral is stronger, and why you can trust it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What approaches do you work with?
I primarily work with Transactional Analysis, along with trauma-informed therapy, using an intersectional and reflective lens to explore patterns, relationships, and emotional experiences
What languages do you offer sessions in?
I offer sessions in English and Malayalam. I also understand Hindi.
What type of people may not be the right fit for you?
I may not be the right fit if you are primarily seeking support for addiction, neuro-developmental disorders, or psychosis, as these concerns may require more specialised or multidisciplinary care.
Do you have experience working with clients outside India? Which countries?
Yes. I have worked with clients internationally through online therapy, including clients based in the UK, Netherlands and Singapore.
Are your sessions more structured or exploratory?
My sessions are largely exploratory and open rather than tightly structured, allowing space for slow reflection, emotional honesty, and deeper understanding to emerge over time.
Will I get exercises or reflection work between sessions?
I do not assign formal exercises or homework. The work is rooted in reflection within the sessions, though you may naturally continue noticing patterns and insights between sessions.
What if I disagree with you?
I genuinely welcome disagreement in our work together. If something I say doesn't sit right with you, I encourage you to share it openly. Therapy is a collaborative space, and your voice matters deeply here. Often, moments of disagreement lead to powerful insights, about patterns, boundaries, needs, or past experiences. Exploring these moments together can become an important part of your therapeutic growth and help us build a more honest, trusting relationship.
What if it doesn't feel like it's working after a few sessions?
Let's talk about it openly. Therapy is a collaborative process, and it's important that you feel safe sharing if something doesn't feel right. Sometimes, naming what isn't working can lead to meaningful shifts in the work itself. You are always free to pause, take a break, or explore a different therapist if that feels better for you. We can have that conversation together first, or you can also reach out to the Mindbun team for support in finding a better fit. Your comfort and growth matter more than pushing through something silently.