Modern Fiction Author

Yashodhara Lal is a bestselling author, coach, and therapist in private practice. She is a graduate of Shri Ram College of Commerce and Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (2002) and has been active in the corporate world for over 20 years.

She holds internationally recognized certifications in Erickson Solution-Focused Coaching and Transactional Analysis (CTA and PTSTA in Psychotherapy). As a couples counselor, Yashodhara is part of the Advanced Training and Mentorship Program at the The Couples Institute in San Francisco.

Yashodhara is also a TEDx speaker, fitness instructor, and yoga practitioner. Alongside her professional pursuits, she is a passionate writer. Her bestselling books include Just Married, Please Excuse (2012) and How I Became a Farmer’s Wife (2016). Her latest book, What They Don’t Tell You About Marriage (2026), serves as a guide for therapists and couples navigating relationships.

Here are the key excerpts from our conversation with her:

Did your undergraduate education help you in your marketing career after your MBA?

To some extent, I would say yes. My undergraduate education in B.Com (Honours) helped me connect with certain aspects of marketing. My basic understanding of business, economics, and mathematics proved useful in managing brands and understanding profitability.

I would encourage young people to study what genuinely interests them, without constantly worrying about how it will impact their long-term career.

In my view, the ability to learn, think critically, communicate effectively, and build meaningful connections with others contributes far more to success than any specific subject one studies.

Why did you choose marketing instead of finance after B.Com, and did your MBA prove useful in the job market or was it mostly theoretical?

Even at that stage, I felt my first job was largely about eliminating options.

My MBA exposed me to various career paths and helped me realize that I did not want to pursue consulting or investment banking. Marketing appealed to my creative and communicative side.

I believe my summer internship with Unilever was what truly made me realize that I could build a successful career in marketing.

Today you are a couples counselor. What led you to make this educational and career shift?

After spending nearly 17 years in the corporate world, working as a marketing leader at companies such as Unilever, Hindustan Times, Dyson, and Yum! Brands, I found myself feeling unfulfilled.

Despite having a successful career, I felt disconnected from my true purpose.

I realized that I was far more interested in mentoring my teams, observing organizational dynamics, and understanding the psychology of individuals and groups. When I discovered the possibility of earning a coaching certification and later pursuing an in-depth study of psychotherapy through Transactional Analysis in 2020, I gained the confidence to re-educate myself and transition into a career as a therapist.

Apart from qualifications, does training really help in the job?

As a psychotherapist, my training is directly connected to my day-to-day work.

Today, in private practice, I find that the frameworks and theories I learned during my training are immensely valuable when working with clients. This is because practical application was heavily emphasized throughout the training process, and we were consistently encouraged to understand our work through the lens of Transactional Analysis.

To become a Certified Transactional Analyst, candidates must pass both written and oral examinations conducted by the International Transactional Analysis Association, an international organization for Transactional Analysts.

My training as a couples counselor took place at the Couples Institute in San Francisco. Personally, I struggled to find high-quality couples therapy training in India, which is why I decided to study abroad.

I trained under leading experts Ellyn Bader and Peter Pearson. Despite the cultural differences between the United States and India, their developmental model has proven highly relevant and useful for modern Indian couples.

What mindset or practice would you recommend to students who feel torn between a corporate career and a creative passion?

One mindset I strongly recommend is not viewing a corporate career and a creative passion as opposites.

There are many ways to combine the two. You may discover opportunities to express your creativity within your corporate role. If not, you can consider changing roles or organizations to find greater fulfillment.

You can also view your corporate job as a “creative sponsor.” It can either help you build the financial freedom needed to pursue your passion full-time or provide the resources that allow you to maintain your hobbies and creative pursuits alongside your career.

I believe it is entirely possible to balance financial stability and career satisfaction. However, that balance looks different for every individual.

Find your own path. Take inspiration from others, but do not try to copy someone else’s journey.

What advice would you give someone who wants to build a career as a therapist?

I would recommend studying Psychology at both the bachelor’s and master’s levels if someone is serious about becoming a therapist.

At the same time, remain open to learning new skills throughout your career. Learning will be a lifelong process.

In today’s rapidly changing global and digital world, be willing to travel abroad for training or education if necessary. Expanding your horizons and embracing continuous learning will only strengthen your professional journey.