Bollywood actor Aamir Khan’s daughter, Ira Khan, shared that she had ‘graduated’ from therapy, sparking a wider discussion on whether one can truly reach such a milestone
Image for representational purpose only. Photo Courtesy: File pic
Mental health is increasingly taking centre stage — from boardrooms to classrooms. While conversations around seeking therapy have become far more open, there is still limited discussion about what unfolds during or after the process. Healing does not follow a fixed timeline, and understanding what progress looks like beyond the first few sessions remains an important yet often overlooked part of the journey.
Recently, Bollywood actor Aamir Khan’s daughter, Ira Khan, revealed that she had “graduated” from therapy, prompting a wider debate on whether one can truly reach such a conclusion. As one of the few public figures who openly discuss mental health, her statement has spotlighted the evolving understanding of emotional well-being and recovery.
To explore this further, mid-day spoke with Dr Dhara Ghuntla — psychologist and independent practitioner affiliated with Sujay Hospital, Seven Hills Hospital and Criticare Hospital — and Dr Rita Mendonca, Founder and Head Psychologist at My Mind Gains, a government-registered mental health clinic and training hub in Mumbai. They shared insights on what “graduating” from therapy really means and the signs many people tend to overlook in their mental health journey.
Is it actually possible to complete therapy?
Dr Ghuntla: “Therapy does not follow a linear trajectory with a fixed endpoint. What individuals can ‘complete’ are specific therapeutic goals — such as resolving a distressing event, learning coping mechanisms, or enhancing self-regulation. Psychological growth, however, is ongoing. Many clients return to therapy at different life stages to address emerging needs or developmental challenges.”
Dr Mendonca: “Therapy isn’t something you finish; it’s something you outgrow. I often tell my clients about the three D’s of emotional work — Disorder, Dysfunction and Development. Disorder is about managing symptoms like anxiety or depression until life feels liveable again. Dysfunction deals with situational pain — heartbreak, grief, burnout — and rebuilding coping skills. Development is about growth: improving communication, overcoming blocks and reaching your potential. So yes, maybe Ira graduated — not from therapy, but from an old version of herself. Therapy doesn’t end; it evolves.”
Why do people take up therapy? Has that changed over time?
Dr Ghuntla: “Historically, therapy was primarily sought during periods of acute distress or dysfunction — for anxiety, depression or trauma. In recent years, its scope has expanded to preventive and developmental goals: building emotional intelligence, improving communication, setting boundaries or enhancing self-concept. Therapy has evolved from a crisis-intervention model to a tool for psychological maintenance and personal growth.”
Dr Mendonca: “A decade ago, people came to therapy to fix something; today, they come to understand themselves. Therapy has shifted from crisis management to growth — from ‘fix me’ to ‘help me make sense of me.’ It’s now seen as mental fitness. My goal is to help each person become their most authentic self — not the most healed or positive, but the most real.”
How long does therapy take? Does it differ from person to person?
Dr Ghuntla: “Therapeutic duration varies widely. Short-term models may focus on specific issues across 8–12 sessions, while psychodynamic or trauma-focused therapies can extend over months or years. Factors such as client motivation, symptom chronicity and the complexity of underlying patterns influence the length and depth of the process.”
Dr Mendonca: “There’s no fixed timeline for therapy — it ends when your insights start sounding like your own voice. For some, that’s six sessions; for others, six months. Short-term therapies like CBT show results quickly, while deeper identity or trauma work takes longer. Therapy isn’t a sprint; it’s strength training — you stay until you can hold your own weight.”
Are more Gen Z individuals opting for therapy now?
Dr Ghuntla: “Yes. Gen Z demonstrates higher psychological literacy than previous generations. They approach therapy not merely as a corrective measure but as a pathway to self-understanding, resilience-building and stress management in an uncertain world.”
Dr Mendonca: “Gen Z is the most self-aware generation yet — they name their emotions, understand attachment styles and openly say, ‘I need help.’ For them, therapy isn’t about meltdown but maintenance. It’s not ‘I’m broken,’ it's ‘I’m learning emotional fluency.’”
What about millennials? Are they seeking therapy more than before?
Dr Ghuntla: “Increasingly so. Millennials, now in their 30s and 40s, are seeking therapy to address burnout, relationship strain and unresolved emotional issues from earlier life stages. Many are shifting from a survival mindset to one that prioritises mental health and long-term sustainability.”
Dr Mendonca: “Millennials are entering therapy for recovery, not discovery. After years of hustle, they’re confronting the emotional toll — anxiety, loneliness, disconnection. Many start by saying, ‘I don’t know who I am outside of work.’ Therapy helps them slow down, set boundaries and redefine success as peace over productivity.”
What are the most common misconceptions about therapy?
Dr Ghuntla: “A common misconception is that therapy is only for severe mental illness or that therapists ‘give advice.’ Therapy is actually a structured, evidence-based process aimed at building insight, emotional regulation and adaptive functioning. It empowers clients to develop internal resources rather than depend on external instruction.”
Dr Mendonca: “Therapy isn’t just for those struggling — it’s for anyone who wants to grow smarter, softer and stronger. Therapists don’t give advice; they hold up mirrors. Crying isn’t weakness; it’s release. And if therapy didn’t work once, it doesn’t mean it never will — the right fit matters. Therapy isn’t about changing who you are, but remembering who you were before the world told you otherwise.”
Has celebrity openness helped increase awareness?
Dr Ghuntla: “Absolutely. Public figures discussing their therapeutic journeys helps reduce stigma and promotes help-seeking behaviour. It reframes therapy as an indicator of psychological maturity rather than vulnerability.”
Dr Mendonca: “When public figures share their mental health stories, they give language to feelings many people suppress. But awareness must go beyond hashtags — therapy isn’t casual self-care; it’s structured emotional work. Still, voices like Ira Khan and Deepika Padukone’s help normalise conversations about pain. Change begins not with perfection, but with honesty.”
What symptoms do people often ignore that indicate they may need therapy?
Dr Ghuntla: “Persistent mood disturbances, heightened anxiety, irritability, sleep disruptions, emotional numbness, difficulty concentrating or loss of interest in meaningful activities. If these persist or impair functioning, therapy is recommended.”
Dr Mendonca: “You’re always tired but never rested. You replay arguments. You feel invisible. You can’t remember the last time you felt joy instead of relief. These aren’t flaws — they’re signals asking to be heard.”
Therapy isn’t something that ends — it’s an ongoing conversation with yourself. It may begin in distress, but over time it builds resilience, emotional literacy and a deeper sense of self that extends far beyond the therapy room.
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