Padma V Gayetri
Psychotherapist
- Referred by a therapist
- Clients in 7+ countries
Hi, I'm Padma. I didn't start out as a therapist. For years, I followed the road laid out for me, marketing, corporate leadership, the high-pressure world of startups. On paper, it looked like I had made it: a good career, responsibilities handled, everything in place. But living that life felt different. It was demanding in ways that left little space for me, managing deadlines, navigating endless hours, and still showing up as a mother and partner. It was exhausting, and quietly, something inside me kept asking if this was really it.
Psychology, on the other hand, had always been a pull, a dream I'd tucked away. But as the weight of holding it all grew heavier, I began therapy myself. Slowly, that space gave me the courage to remember what I wanted long before the world told me otherwise.
Going back to college wasn't just about a career shift, it was about reclaiming myself, a value I bring to my sessions to - reclaiming yourself. A master's in psychology, years of training in Transactional Analysis, and my own healing journey have shaped me into the therapist I am today. At the heart of my work is a simple belief: relationships can heal. Being deeply seen, listened to, and sometimes gently challenged can change how we hold ourselves and our lives. That's the space I now try to create for every client who sits across from me.
4600+ 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.
7+ years of in-depth, practical training in psychotherapy post masters
- 7+ years of advanced training in Transactional Analysis from International Transactional Analysis Association (ITAA)
- Certified NLP Practitioner Course from Wellspring, Bangalore
- Basic CBT Training from Wellspring, Bangalore
- Advanced CBT Training from Wellspring, Bangalore
- Basic REBT Training from Albert Ellis Institute, USA
- Advanced REBT Training from Albert Ellis Institute, USA
- Gestalt Therapy Training from Wellspring, Bangalore
- QPR Certified Suicide Gatekeeper from QPR Institute
- Certified PoSH Trainer from Indian Academy of Law & Management
Educational Qualifications
- B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering, Puducherry University
- PG Diploma in Business Administration, Symbiosis Center
- M.Sc. in Applied Clinical Psychology, Annamalai University
- PG Diploma in Guidance & Counseling, Annamalai University
- Diploma in Community Mental Health, NIMHANS
✨ Padma's training reflects strong depth-oriented foundations shaped by internationally aligned psychotherapy standards and years of working with clients across diverse cultural contexts.
I've been privileged to work with clients ranging from people in corporations in high stress roles to people navigating a work life balance and everything in between.
You are in the right place if you are not primarily seeking relief from sexual disorders or psychosis.
Approaches I Use
- Transactional Analysis (TA)
- Relational Transactional Analysis
- Gestalt Therapy
- Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
- Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
✨ Padma's work is exploratory and insight-led, while still grounded and practical. She helps you understand the deeper patterns shaping your thoughts, emotions, and relationships, and brings in structure and clear tools when movement and direction are needed.
What sessions with me feel like
Our sessions begin with you. Sometimes it's about what's been on your mind all week, sometimes it's picking up a thread from a past session, and often it's both. I don't rush to fix or structure everything. I listen closely, remember what you share, and gently draw out the connections between moments, stories, and patterns. It's often in those parallels that clarity emerges.
My style is a balance of validation, and a gentle nudge when I sense you're ready for it.
I want therapy to feel like a space where you can bring whatever is alive in you, without having to edit or perform. Over time, what starts as one big goal often unfolds into many small discoveries, each one helping you return to yourself with a little more honesty and ease.
Session Basics
Languages
Fluent in English, Tamil, Hindi & Kannada;
Understands Malayalam & Telugu
Location
Coimbatore, India
Mode
Online only
Duration
60 minutes
Available for
Individual Therapy & Couples Therapy
Rescheduling/Cancellation Policy
48-hour notice required
Outside therapy
Outside the therapy room, I find joy in simple, ever-changing rhythms. Cooking and gardening keep me grounded, but it's in constantly rearranging my home that I find a special kind of delight, never letting the space go stale, always bringing in a touch of novelty. And when the day winds down, you'll often find me curled up with a book, lost in the worlds of Dan Brown or Sidney Sheldon, still a college student at heart, carried away by stories that refuse to let me go.
What clients say
"I never thought I'd actually look forward to therapy, but sessions with Padma changed that. She makes it so easy to open up and creates a space where I feel truly heard. What stands out most is how she listens deeply and then, in the last part of the session, ties everything together into a clear, meaningful reflection. I feel lucky to have found this through Mindbun."
Male, Mid 30s
"I had a great experience working with Padma and my stress levels have reduced significantly over the time. I feel happy that I could find the best therapist for myself in the first attempt itself with Mindbun."
Female, Mid 30s
"I always wanted to let go of control and let someone experienced take control of the session by recognising patterns, remembering all prior situations well enough to guide me towards a clearer picture. Padma allowed me to do that. She made sure when we sat together, the entire context of my life was taken into consideration to understand the problems. When someone shows up with such care, homework and experience, you can't not trust them. Spending so much time with her helped me understand empathy. She did an exceptional job at holding the mirror for my emotions by feeling and showing them herself. Have had a 10/10 experience with her so far!"
Male, Late 20s
I've been referred to Mindbun by therapist and ITAA certified trainer Haseena Abdulla.
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, including Relational TA, along with Gestalt Therapy, NLP, CBT, and REBT. My work integrates insight-oriented exploration with structure only when the process requires it. Depending on what you need, we may explore deeper emotional patterns or work with clear strategies to support change in your daily life.
What languages do you offer sessions in?
I offer sessions in English, Tamil, Hindi, and Kannada. I also understand Malayalam and Telugu, which can be helpful for clients who feel more emotionally comfortable expressing certain experiences in their native language.
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 severe psychosis or specific sexual disorders that require highly specialised clinical or medical intervention. If your concerns require a more medical or institutional setup, I would guide you toward the appropriate support.
Do you have experience working with clients outside India? Which countries?
Yes. I have worked with clients across the globe, including individuals based in the USA, Germany, Ireland, Thailand, UK, Portugal. My work often includes supporting professionals navigating cross-cultural transitions, high-pressure careers, and life shifts across countries.
Are your sessions more structured or exploratory?
My sessions are a blend of both. At the core, therapy is exploratory, we take time to understand your patterns, relationships, and emotional responses. However, if you prefer clarity, tools, and structured goals, I integrate that thoughtfully. I adapt to your pace and needs rather than following a rigid format.
Will I get exercises or reflection work between sessions?
For clients who benefit from structure, I may suggest small reflections or practical exercises between sessions. For others, the work may stay within the session space itself. We decide this collaboratively based on what feels useful to 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.