The Abhishek Banerji

Abhishek Banerji

Biography

Abhishek Banerji, a Karmaveer Chakra Award winning Psychologist, TEDx Speaker, Theatre Artist, Registered Expressive Arts Based Therapist, Creative Leadership Consultant, and former Chemical Engineer brings multi-disciplinary expertise to his professional endeavors. Grounded in trauma-informed and queer-affirmative methodologies, he is also a certified PoSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) practitioner. A distinguished alumnus of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Abhishek has worked with various Fortune 500 companies and top educational institutions in the space of  wellness and human development.

Embracing a philosophy of holistic and integrative wellness, Abhishek’s work spans across what he describes as the 4C’s: Clinics, Classrooms, Corporates, and Communities. He has engaged with diverse populations ranging from 8 years of age to 80, offering his expertise and support. 

Awards & Accolades

He has been honoured with awards and accolades like :

  • Karmaveer Chakra Award by the International Confederation of NGOs (iCongo) and the United Nations. 
  • “Birla Steel Young Indian” for his work in the space of Mental Health & Psychotherapy.
  • Recognized as “Global Goodwill Ambassador” from India by Global Goodwill Ambassadors (USA) for his Humanitarian Work in the space of Mental Health & Psychotherapy.
  • “Yuva Ratna Puraskar” instituted by Uprise India & Indian School of Politics for Theatre & Drama.
  • Swadeshi India Runway Presents “India’s Superstar Award” for Theatre & Drama.
  • “Pinnacle India Fame Award” for his work in the area of Corporate Learning & Development
  • “Lion’s Game Changer Award” for his Humanitarian Services & Community Development Work.
  • As a former Chemical Engineer, he has been awarded by Chemical Engineering Association (CheA), IIT Bombay, IIChE (Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers), IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) and has won gold medals at numerous national level symposiums for his research endeavours.
  • He has been a recipient of “Outstanding Young Chemical Engineer of the Year” instituted by IIChE (Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers) for his research project and paper ‘Carbon Capture & Catalytic Conversion of Effluent Carbon Dioxide to Usable Gasoline’.
  • He is also the recipient of “Maharashtra State Governor’s Award”
  • He has been interviewed and featured across various print, digital media and podcasts like Mumbai Mirror, Mid-Day, Bombay Times, Humans of Bombay, Times of India, The Daily Guardian, The Sunday Standard magazine, Dehradun Street, Mumbai Theatre Guide, NMTV, JMR, Inventiva, ScoopEarth, EMN News, Being Social Podcast etc.

Psychotherapy, Mental Health & Creative Expression

As a psychologist, Abhishek has conducted numerous individual and group therapy interventions for populace from 8 years of age to 80. He has worked with clients in various areas like: Depression, Trauma, Stress, Anxiety, Physical & Emotional Abuse, LGBTQ+, Body Image, Self Esteem, Relationships, Personality Disorders, Speech Disorders, Addictions, Grief, Life Purpose & Meaning, Geriatric & Aging Issues, Resilience, Mindfulness and others. He has conducted workshops & seminars on Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing at schools, colleges, companies, NGOs, communities, summits, festivals etc.

Apart from holding a Masters Degree in Counselling Psychology, he also has a Post Graduate Diploma in Counseling from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), where he was awarded a gold medal for academic excellence. He has pursued extensive training in various psychotherapeutic modalities, equipping him with a diverse skill set in the field of mental health.

His expertise spans multiple evidence-based approaches, including Rational Emotive Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (RECBT), accredited by the Albert Ellis Institute, New York, and Transactional Analysis (TA) from the Institute for Counseling & Transactional Analysis, India. He is also a certified practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), accredited by the American Board of NLP, and has completed training in Psychometric Testing from Carlton Advanced Management Institute & Middle Earth HR. Additionally, he is trained in Emotional Intelligence (EI) and the Emotional Skills Assessment Process (ESAP) through EI Learning Systems, USA.

Abhishek has also trained in mindfulness-based approaches. He is certified in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) by the International Association of Therapists (IAOTH) and has completed training in Neuropsychology from the Institute of Mental Health & Psychological Sciences (IMHAPS). He also holds a Diploma in Counseling & Guidance, accredited by ICPEM & CTAA, reflecting his commitment to continuous learning.

Abhishek is certified and registered in Arts-Based Therapy (WCCLF Model) and holds an ICPEM-accredited Diploma in Art Therapy from the Institute of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, where he graduated with 91%. He is also trained in Dance Movement Therapy from Tata Institute Of Social Sciences (TISS) and integrates creative therapeutic techniques to foster emotional well-being and self-expression. With expertise in the WCCLF Model of ABT, he earned Grade A (88.83%) for his academic performance, supervised field practicum, and 413-hour action research project on the efficacy of arts-based therapy in enhancing self-esteem, emotional awareness, and emotional regulation among young adults with psychosocial needs.

His practice is rooted in the clinical and evidence-based application of expressive arts, including dance movement therapy, drama therapy, music therapy, visual arts, therapeutic storytelling, projective play, poetry, bibliotherapy, metaphor, rhythm, and games, all tailored to support individuals in therapeutic settings. He also has received advanced training in storytelling under British master trainer Ralph Watson and in the art of clowning and improvisation from German clown & improviser Jaya Härtlein. Through his work, he creates safe and expressive spaces for individuals to explore, heal, and grow using the transformative power of the arts.

He has a penchant for Theatre and Drama based interventions and extensively employs various methods, methodologies and mediums like Psychodrama, Trauma Informed Drama Therapy, Theatre of the Oppressed: Image Theatre, Forum Theatre, Rainbow of Desire, Newspaper Theatre, Playback Theatre, Sociodrama etc.

Abhishek is also a Certified School Counselor with training in Play Therapy from The National Association for Play Therapy India. He integrates these skills to support children’s emotional and psychological well-being.

He has trained  with various RCI licensed Clinical Psychologists & Counseling Psychologists and has been formerly associated with Regional Mental Hospital (Thane)

He has also trained in Prison Counseling and Correctional Psychology and is a Certified Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper (QPR Institute, USA).

His workshops and interventions offer a kaleidoscopic approach by integrating psychological, philosophical, practical, physical, and phenomenological perspectives.

Leadership Consulting, Corporate Training & Keynote Speaking

Abhishek is a Dale Carnegie Certified Trainer. He is also a certified facilitator from 60 Bits Consulting and has been trained in Learning & Engaging Actively through Facilitation, a program recognised by National Skill India Mission (NSIM), Government of India. He has worked with Fortune 500 Companies, MNCs, start-ups, and global leaders through seminars, workshops, webinars and bootcamps. He operates closely with people, processes and practices in the organisation to enhance their efficiency, productivity and profitability through various capability and competency building programs on: Psychological Safety, Inclusivity, Influence, Creativity & Innovation, Decision Making, High Impact Teams, Managing Conflicts, Managerial Effectiveness, Collaboration, Emotional Intelligence, Customer Delight etc.

Previously, in his corporate career, he has served as a business management & creative solutions consultant for MNC’s and start-ups in multifarious industries like advertising, technology, real estate, human resource, and events, including NASSCOM Emerge 50 and BBC featured Start-ups. He has received “Outstanding Leadership Award” for his exemplary performance in business development and leadership roles. His client portfolio and strategic partnerships involved major industry giants like Tata Housing, Godrej Properties, Hiranandani Group etc. to name a few.

Youth Entrepreneurship & Leadership Development and Guest Lectures

Abhishek is frequently invited to B-Schools, colleges, higher education institutions and private organisations across India to conduct workshops & seminars and deliver guest lectures on Youth Entrepreneurship & Leadership Development. In these workshops he has catalysed change through a transformation of knowledge, skills and attitudes of the youth. Having designed these workshops in collaboration with various subject matter experts and partners, he adopts a holistic empowerment approach focussing on multiple areas like psychological empowerment, community empowerment, economic empowerment, social empowerment, cultural empowerment etc.

Artist de théâtre

As a theatre actor and director, Abhishek has performed in 25+ plays, dramatized readings and storytelling performances  produced by Alliance Française de Bombay, St. Andrews Centre for Philosophy and Performing Arts, Metamorphosis Theatre Inc., Indriyaan Theatre Group and Irani Cafe Entertainment. He has also performed at Art & Theatre Festivals like Times of India Kala Ghoda Arts Festival & Children’s Theatre Festival curated by St. Andrews Centre for Philosophy and Performing Arts & Andrean Network of Dynamic and Inspired Educators.

He has been schooled in Theatre and Acting at Anupam Kher’s Actor Prepares, Barry John Acting Studio, Mahesh Bhatt : Moonlight Films and Theatre Studio & Indriyaan Theatre Group.He has been trained in Eric Morris System, Stephen Book Technique & Meisner Technique of Acting.

He has starred in English, Hindi, French, Marathi and multilingual productions across diverse genres like Classic Indian Plays, War Drama, Contemporary, Comedy, Children’s Play, Storytelling, Passion Plays, Experimental Theatre, Absurd, Surreal, Grotesque, Movement Based Theatre, Miming, Poetry in Motion, Performance Poetry, Immersive Theatre etc.

ALUMNUS & CERTIFICATIONS