Maryam Hannan
Clinical Psychologist & Psychotherapist
- Referred by a therapist
- RCI-licensed
Hi, I'm Maryam! I grew up watching people and wondering why they did what they did. That curiosity never left me. It followed me into psychology, through years of clinical training, and eventually into a government psychiatric setting where the cases were of wide variety, complex, and unfiltered. That environment shaped me in ways a purely private practice couldn't have. You see a lot, and you learn to stay steady in rooms where things are rarely straightforward. Working across such a broad range of presentations, from acute psychiatric care to everyday emotional struggles, has meant that very little surprises me and very little is outside the range of what I can hold.
My training began with a structured, cognitive approach, and that foundation gave me something solid to build on. Over time, my work deepened. I found myself attuning more to what clients were feeling beneath what they were saying, letting them bring in more, holding more, and trusting that the emotional layer of someone's experience is sometimes where the real movement happens. Today I work across both, meeting you in your thoughts when that is what you need, and staying with what is felt underneath when that is where the work wants to go. That balance, of structure and something more expansive and emotion-led, is at the heart of how I work today.
Although a deeply cognitive person myself, I have learned slowly that for most people the way through is rarely through thought alone but rather it is through what is sitting just underneath it. This understanding is what I bring into every session, and it is what I keep coming back to, no matter what someone walks in with.
2450+ 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.
2+ years of in-depth, practical training in psychotherapy post masters
- Licensed Clinical Psychologist under Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI)
- Emotion Focused Therapy, Level 1 from EFT Institute, India
- Emotion Focused Therapy, Level 2 from EFT Institute, India
- Trauma-Informed Approach to Psychological Interventions from Connect & ReStore
- Certificate in Behavioural Addiction among Children and Adolescents from Kasturba Medical College
Educational Qualifications
- B.Sc. in Psychology from Women’s Christian College, Chennai
- M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology from Manipal Academy of Higher Education
- M.Phil. in Clinical Psychology from JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research
✨ Maryam's training reflects a clear progression from strong clinical foundations to advanced specialisation. Her being a RCI-licenced clinical psychologist, and continuing structured training in different techniques represent a rigorous commitment to both clinical grounding and specialist depth.
I’ve worked with clients ranging from adolescents and young adults navigating emotional overwhelm, to adults dealing with anxiety, behavioral issues, mood concerns, trauma, grief, and relationship difficulties, across a wide spectrum of lived experiences.
You are in the right place if you are not primarily seeking support for psychosis.
Approaches I Use
- Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
- Gestalt Therapy
- Trauma-Informed Therapy
- Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
- Exposure Response Prevention
✨ Maryam’s work is grounded in consistent empathetic validation while drawing on a wide range of evidence-based techniques, from structured cognitive tools to deeper emotion-focused and trauma-informed approaches, depending on what each person needs at different stages of their therapeutic journeys.
What sessions with me feel like
Sessions always begin with a mood check and a look back at how your week went. If something more pressing has come up, we follow that. But I will always come back to check on what we left off with, because what you brought last time still matters.
I pay close attention to what I notice in the room, not just what you are saying but how you are carrying it. When there is a gap between what is being expressed and what seems to be felt underneath, I bring that into the open gently, so you can experience what is actually happening rather than just speak about it from a distance. Between sessions, I may suggest something small, a brief check-in with how you are feeling, or a simple reflection activity to try during the week. These are always discussed and agreed on together, never handed down.
I check in periodically on whether the work is landing for you, and I adjust when it isn't. Sessions close with reflection time, yours first. I leave the last few minutes for you to sit with what came up, and step in only if you need help finding the words.
Session Basics
Languages
Fluent in English, Hindi & Malayalam;
Understands Tamil & Kannada
Location
Kannur, India
Mode
Online only
Duration
60 minutes
Available for
Individual Therapy
Rescheduling/Cancellation Policy
24-hour notice required
Outside therapy
I find comfort and grounding in slow, creative practices. Crochet, in particular, allows me to be present with my hands and my breath, a quiet, meditative rhythm that helps me unwind. I also enjoy spending time with art, music, films, and moments of stillness that invite reflection rather than rush. These small, intentional pauses help me stay connected to balance and creativity, and they gently inform the calm, attentive presence I bring into my work as a therapist.
What clients say
"I never really thought therapy could have such a huge impact in my life. I’ve learnt so much about myself and how I see and feel about myself. You really helped me in finding parts of myself that I thought I had lost for many years."
Female, 39, Kochi, Corporate Professional
"You really provide a sense of safety which made it easier for me to open up. I was hesitant about therapy for this very reason but with time I was able to trust this space. You have been so non judgemental and patient, that by itself has helped me in so many different ways."
Male, 28, Chennai, Engineer
"I really look forward to our sessions. When there was so much going on, it was coming to therapy and talking to you that helped me make sense of them. I liked how we went at my pace and that it was collaborative. I felt understood and seen. I am really very grateful to you for providing me a safe and non judgemental space where I could explore and learn more about myself."
Female, 25, Bangalore, Student
I've been referred to Mindbun by clinical psychologist & therapist Shradha Chandrasekar.
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 work primarily with Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), while integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Gestalt Therapy, trauma-informed approaches, mindfulness-based therapies, and Exposure Response Prevention when relevant.
What languages do you offer sessions in?
I offer sessions in English, Hindi, and Malayalam. I can also understand Tamil and Kannada, though I conduct therapy primarily in the languages I’m fluent in.
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 psychosis or conditions that require more intensive psychiatric or in-person care.
Are your sessions more structured or exploratory?
My sessions are process-oriented and flexible. They are exploratory, guided by your emotional experience in the moment, while still offering enough structure to ensure the work feels contained, safe, and purposeful.
Will I get exercises or reflection work between sessions?
Sometimes. When helpful, I may suggest gentle reflection, coping strategies, or practical tools to try between sessions, but these are always optional and tailored to what feels manageable and supportive for you.
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.