Sushma Ramachandran
Certified Transactional Analyst, Psychotherapist
- Referred by a therapist
- Clients in 7+ countries
Hi, I’m Sushma. My work as a therapist is shaped by the many chapters of my own life and the people I’ve walked alongside over the years. These experiences have taught me the importance of offering a space that feels collaborative, non-hierarchical, and free from judgment. In therapy with me, clients are not talked down to or rushed toward answers, but met as equals in a shared process of understanding.
I am a Certified Transactional Analyst, a qualification held by only a handful of practitioners in India, and one that allows me to practice Transactional Analysis globally. Alongside my clinical work, I teach and supervise Transactional Analysis, supporting younger therapists and trainees as they develop their practice. Over the years, I have worked extensively with individuals, couples, and groups, and with clients across 7+ countries. A large part of my work today is with NRI and global clients, including senior professionals and leaders navigating complex personal and professional lives.
My approach balances openness with gentle structure. While I value having a clear container for the work, I believe therapy unfolds best when it remains exploratory and responsive to the person in front of me. Sessions move at your pace. At times, we may gently focus and reflect; at others, we may stay with what feels emotionally alive, notice relational patterns, or explore long-held beliefs. Drawing from multiple approaches allows the work to adapt as your needs evolve, rather than fitting you into a single framework.
At the heart of my practice is care, not as a technique, but as a way of being. I see the therapeutic relationship as a secure base, one that allows you to step into difficult or unfamiliar parts of life with support. Over time, this steady and affirming presence helps clients work through relationship struggles, boundaries, self-image, parenting challenges, inner child wounds, trauma, and experiences related to neurodivergence, alongside other clinical concerns that require depth and sensitivity.
18000+ 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.
12+ years of in-depth, practical training in psychotherapy post masters
- 8+ years (and ongoing) years of advanced training in Transactional Analysis from International Transactional Analysis Association (ITAA)
- Certified Transactional Analyst (Psychotherapy) from the International Transactional Analysis Association (ITAA)
- Diploma in Psychodrama from Karma Katalyst
- Assisted with "Dealing with Depression" research work led by Mark Widdowson, internationally recognised Transactional Analysis psychotherapist, researcher, and author, known for his extensive work on depression and evidence-based TA practice.
- Workshops on Counselling Psychology and on Unconscious Processes in Therapy, both led by Emma Gonzalvous, counselling psychologist and experienced practitioner known for her work in therapeutic process and clinical application.
- Workshop on Body Psychotherapy led by Bill Cornell, internationally respected Transactional Analysis psychotherapist and leading contributor to body-integrated and relational TA work.
- Workshop on Foundations of Trauma Therapy using a Transactional Analysis Approach led by Mark Widdowson, focusing on trauma-informed, relational, and research-grounded TA interventions.
Educational Qualifications
- M.Sc. in Counselling Psychology from Madras School of Social Work
- M.Phil. in Counselling Psychology from Madras School of Social Work
✨ Sushma’s training is shaped by advanced and ongoing learning from the internationally recognised gold standard body for Transactional Analysis, along with extensive exposure to global trainers and specialised learning spaces. This shows her strong international and holistic training foundation.
I’ve worked with adults across life stages, from professionals navigating work and relationship challenges, to individuals exploring boundaries, identity, parenting, and deeper emotional patterns.
You are in the right place if you are not primarily seeking support for psychosis.
Approaches I Use
- Transactional Analysis (TA)
- Psychodrama
- Gestalt Therapy
- Inner Child Work
- Art Therapy
✨ Sushma works in a deeply personalised and relational way, carefully adapting each session to the client varying between inner child work to roleplay and psychodrama while being grounded in talk therapy. She is attentive to your pace, emotions, and comfort, helping you explore patterns and express feelings in a way that feels transformative.
What sessions with me feel like
My sessions focus on understanding the patterns that quietly shape how you relate to yourself, others, and the world. We pay attention to recurring themes, in thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships and gently explore where they may have taken root. Often, this brings clarity to why certain situations feel familiar, stuck, or emotionally charged. While there is a holding structure to maintain continuity across sessions, the work remains exploratory and paced with care. We may revisit earlier experiences, relational dynamics, or internal conflicts, not to analyse them in isolation, but to understand how they continue to influence the present. I often work in the here-and-now of our relationship as well, noticing what unfolds between us as a meaningful part of the process.
Therapy with me is collaborative and reflective. I regularly check in on direction and intention, allowing goals to evolve rather than fixing them rigidly. Over time, this approach supports deeper self-awareness, emotional integration, and the possibility of choosing new ways of being in relationships, in work, and with oneself.
Session Basics
Languages
Fluent in English & Tamil;
Understands Hindi, Malayalam & Telugu
Location
Chennai, India
Mode
Online only
Duration
60 minutes
Available for
Individual Therapy & Couples Therapy
Rescheduling/Cancellation Policy
24-hour notice required
Outside therapy
I feel most grounded when I’m close to nature and animals. I’ve been volunteering with an animal welfare NGO for several years, something that brings me a deep sense of connection and care. I enjoy trekking and hiking, carrying my curiosity into the outdoors, and occasionally capturing moments through photography. Dancing is another space of expression for me. I have some training in hip-hop freestyle and love how movement helps me stay playful, present, and alive.
What clients say
"After a long time, I feel immense gratitude for the shifts I see in myself. Working with you has helped me move closer to my true self and care for it better. Being on the client side has brought deep awareness, and you’ve been a big part of that journey. I’m truly grateful for the support, insight, and steadiness you’ve offered."
"I love how you explore things alongside me and give me permission to figure myself out in my own way. Seeing you be fully yourself in sessions helped me reflect on how I can show up authentically too, both personally and as a therapist. Thank you for modeling that honesty and warmth."
"Thank you for today’s session. It brought much-needed clarity between my heart and my head. I feel steadier about taking things one step at a time and choosing what truly feels right for me. I’m grateful for the strength and clarity I walked away with."
"Being abroad, I struggled to find a therapist who truly understood my experiences until I found Sushma. She is empathetic, flexible with time zones, and never uses a one-size-fits-all approach. I felt genuinely heard and supported while navigating life questions. Her personalized therapy and understanding made a meaningful difference, and I’m truly grateful for her guidance and care."
Male, Early 30s, Canada
I've been referred to Mindbun by Kruthika Devanathan, herself an experienced TA therapist.
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, integrating Psychodrama, Gestalt Therapy, Inner Child Work, and Art Therapy in a relational and experiential way.
What languages do you offer sessions in?
I offer sessions in English and Tamil. I also understand Hindi, Malayalam, and Telugu.
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.
Do you have experience working with clients outside India? Which countries?
Yes. I have worked with clients across seven countries, including the USA, Germany, Canada, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore.
Are your sessions more structured or exploratory?
My sessions balance gentle structure with exploration. There is continuity and containment, while the work remains responsive and relational.
Will I get exercises or reflection work between sessions?
I may suggest reflections or experiential practices when helpful, but the primary focus remains on the depth of our in-session work.
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.