Shefali Shah Recalls First Turning to Therapy and Discusses Her Mental Health Journey

Actor Shefali Shah has spoken about her experience with therapy, recalling how she first sought professional help after struggling to manage aspects of her life. In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, she discussed her journey with mental health professionals, the importance of finding the right therapist, and how therapy has helped her recognise emotional lows.

Shefali recently made her debut as an author with The Audacity of Being: A Sort-of Memoir, published by Bloomsbury on October 1, 2026. Discussing personal experiences as part of conversations around her book, she explained that her decision to seek therapy stemmed from a growing realisation that she needed professional guidance rather than one major incident.

Her first experience with a mental health professional began at her children's school during a visit where a psychiatrist spoke about ADD and ADHD. Believing her son might have the conditions, she approached the psychiatrist. After meeting her son, the psychiatrist noted he was fine and asked Shefali about her own problems. Shefali later approached the psychiatrist again when struggling with sleep and feeling unequipped to handle her concerns.

Over time, her approach to therapy evolved. She compared seeking mental health support to getting treatment for a physical condition, stating, “I can't keep putting a cream on an allergy rash. I have to go to a dermatologist.”

After previously turning to therapy mainly during crises, Shefali was introduced to Dr Vishal Sawant. She highlighted that he did not rely on previous assessments or label her during their first interaction. According to Shefali, Dr Sawant helped her understand that she might experience emotional highs and lows more acutely than others, and he has been a huge support in simplifying her life.

Reflecting on the process, Shefali noted that therapy has helped her gain perspective and recognize when she is beginning to feel low. She emphasized that a therapist helps individuals understand their situation and figure out their own path forward rather than telling them what to do.