How Much Does Therapy Cost in Bangalore? (2025)
#Therapy
Updated on Jun 19, 2025
Curious about therapy costs in Bangalore for 2025? This guide breaks down prices by neighbourhood and provider—from budget-friendly Electronic City to premium Indiranagar—explains insurance coverage, and shares smart tips to help you access quality mental health care without overspending.
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Looking for therapy in Bangalore but unsure how much it might cost? This 2025 guide breaks down therapy prices across the city — from budget-friendly sessions in Electronic City to premium care in Indiranagar — plus insights on insurance coverage, provider types, and practical ways to save on mental health support.
- Quick Summary
- Therapy Costs by Provider Type
- Neighborhood Cost Variations
- Insurance Coverage
- Affordable Therapy Options
- Online Therapy Options
- Factors Affecting Bangalore Therapy Costs
- Tips to Reduce Therapy Costs in Bangalore
- Transportation Considerations
- Sources
Quick Summary
- Average therapy cost range: ₹1,000-₹3,680 per session
- Psychiatrist consultation: ₹1,800-₹6,325 initial, ₹1,200-₹4,370 follow-up
- Insurance coverage: Limited, primarily for hospitalisation
- Neighborhood price difference: Up to 35% higher in Indiranagar vs. Outer Ring Road areas
- Affordable options: From ₹200 at university clinics to ₹1,495 for group therapy
Therapy Costs by Provider Type
| Provider Type | Initial Consultation | Follow-up Session | Telehealth Session | Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychiatrist | ₹1,800-₹6,325 | ₹1,200-₹4,370 | ₹1,000-₹3,680 | Limited, hospitalisation |
| Clinical Psychologist | ₹1,500-₹4,600 | ₹1,000-₹3,680 | ₹900-₹3,220 | Very limited |
| Counselling Psychologist | ₹1,000-₹3,220 | ₹800-₹2,530 | ₹700-₹2,300 | Rarely covered |
| Psychiatric Social Worker | ₹700-₹2,070 | ₹600-₹1,725 | ₹500-₹1,380 | Not typically covered |
| Psychotherapist | ₹1,200-₹4,025 | ₹1,000-₹3,220 | ₹800-₹2,530 | Rarely covered |
| Addiction Counsellor | ₹900-₹2,875 | ₹800-₹2,300 | ₹700-₹2,070 | Rarely covered |
| Child & Adolescent Therapist | ₹1,500-₹4,600 | ₹1,200-₹3,680 | ₹1,000-₹3,220 | Very limited |
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Neighborhood Cost Variations
Central Bangalore (Premium)
- Areas: Indiranagar, Koramangala, Richmond Town, MG Road
- Clinical Psychologist: ₹1,500-₹4,600 per session
- Psychiatrist: ₹2,200-₹6,325 initial, ₹1,500-₹4,370 follow-up
- Premium factor: 25-35% above city average
- Notable practices: Indiranagar Wellness Centre, Koramangala Mind Clinic
- Accessibility: Good metro connectivity, moderate parking challenges
East Bangalore (Upper Mid-range)
- Areas: Whitefield, Marathahalli, CV Raman Nagar
- Clinical Psychologist: ₹1,300-₹4,025 per session
- Psychiatrist: ₹2,000-₹5,520 initial, ₹1,400-₹4,025 follow-up
- Premium factor: 15-20% above city average
- Notable practices: Whitefield Psychology, Marathahalli Counselling
- Accessibility: Limited metro access, good parking options
North Bangalore (Mid-range)
- Areas: Hebbal, Yelahanka, Jakkur
- Clinical Psychologist: ₹1,000-₹3,680 per session
- Psychiatrist: ₹1,800-₹5,175 initial, ₹1,200-₹3,680 follow-up
- Premium factor: At city average
- Notable practices: Hebbal Mind Care, Yelahanka Therapy Centre
- Accessibility: No metro connectivity, excellent parking
South Bangalore (Lower Mid-range)
- Areas: Jayanagar, JP Nagar, Banashankari
- Clinical Psychologist: ₹900-₹3,450 per session
- Psychiatrist: ₹1,600-₹4,830 initial, ₹1,100-₹3,450 follow-up
- Premium factor: 5-10% below city average
- Notable practices: Jayanagar Psychology, JP Nagar Counselling
- Accessibility: Limited metro access, good parking options
Outer Ring Road Areas (Budget-friendly)
- Areas: Electronic City, Sarjapur Road, Kengeri
- Clinical Psychologist: ₹800-₹3,220 per session
- Psychiatrist: ₹1,500-₹4,600 initial, ₹1,000-₹3,220 follow-up
- Premium factor: 15-25% below city average
- Notable practices: Electronic City Mind Health, Sarjapur Therapy
- Accessibility: No metro connectivity, excellent parking
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Insurance Coverage
Government Schemes
- CGHS: Covers psychiatric consultations and limited therapy for government employees
- ESIC: Basic psychiatric coverage for registered employees
- Ayushman Bharat: Limited coverage for severe mental health conditions
- Coverage limitations: Primarily inpatient care, limited outpatient benefits
- Documentation required: Extensive paperwork and pre-authorisations
Private Insurance
- Coverage status: Mental health coverage mandated since 2017 but implementation varies
- Typical coverage: Primarily covers hospitalisation, limited outpatient coverage
- Common exclusions: Most therapy sessions, counselling, non-severe conditions
- Claim process: Often requires psychiatric diagnosis and medical necessity documentation
- Major providers: HDFC ERGO, ICICI Lombard, Bajaj Allianz, Star Health
Corporate Health Plans
- Coverage status: Strong adoption in Bangalore's tech sector
- Typical coverage: Limited number of therapy sessions (8-12 annually), EAP programs
- Common providers: IT companies, startups, multinational corporations
- Access method: Through HR department or designated EAP portal
- Confidentiality: Improving privacy protection standards
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Affordable Therapy Options
University Clinics
- NIMHANS Centre for Well-being: ₹200-₹690 per session
- Christ University Psychology Department: ₹200-₹575 per session
- Bangalore University Counselling Center: ₹200-₹575 per session
- Services offered: Assessment, individual therapy, group therapy
- Providers: Supervised Master's and Doctoral students
- Waiting period: 3-6 weeks typically
NGO Services
- Parivarthan Counselling: ₹200-₹920 based on income
- Medha Counselling Centre: ₹300-₹805 based on income
- The Alternative Story: ₹350-₹1,035 based on income
- Services offered: Counselling, support groups, crisis intervention
- Locations: Offices throughout Bangalore
- Specialisations: Women's issues, LGBTQ+ support, youth counselling
Government Hospitals
- NIMHANS: ₹50-₹345 based on income assessment
- Victoria Hospital: ₹20-₹230 based on income assessment
- Bowring Hospital: ₹20-₹173 based on income assessment
- Services offered: Psychiatric services, limited therapy options
- Waiting time: 4-12 weeks for non-urgent cases
- Referral process: Requires referral from primary healthcare facility
Group Therapy
- Average cost: ₹600-₹1,495 per session
- Common types: Anxiety, depression, addiction, grief support
- Locations: Private practices, hospitals, community centers
- Frequency: Weekly or bi-weekly sessions
- Duration: Typically 90 minutes per session
- Specialised groups: Tech professional burnout, startup stress, expat adjustment
Online Therapy Options
Local Platforms
- Practo: ₹800-₹2,875 per session
- YourDOST: ₹600-₹2,070 per session
- TherapyRoute India: ₹800-₹2,875 per session
- Wysa: ₹500-₹1,725 per session
- Advantages: Lower overhead costs, no travel time, flexible scheduling
International Platforms
- BetterHelp: $65-$103.50 (₹5,400-₹8,630) per week
- Talkspace: $65-$115 (₹5,400-₹9,545) per week
- Considerations: May not accept Indian payment methods
- Provider qualifications: Verify Indian registration
- Time zone issues: Some international therapists may have limited availability
Factors Affecting Bangalore Therapy Costs
Provider Factors
- Qualifications: Higher degrees and international training command higher fees
- Experience: Senior practitioners with 10+ years charge premium rates
- Specialisations: Expertise in specific areas often costs more
- Practice setting: Private clinics vs. hospital-affiliated practices
- Foreign-trained therapists: Often charge higher rates
Bangalore-Specific Factors
- Tech industry influence: High concentration of tech professionals driving premium services
- Expat population: International residents creating demand for Western-style therapy
- Traffic congestion: Severe traffic affecting session scheduling and pricing
- Startup culture: High workplace stress creating specialised therapy niches
- NIMHANS presence: World-class psychiatric institution influencing practice standards
- Work-life balance challenges: Long work hours creating evening/weekend demand premium
Tips to Reduce Therapy Costs in Bangalore
Provider Selection Strategies
- Ask about sliding scale: Many therapists adjust fees based on income
- Consider trainee therapists: Supervised by experienced professionals
- Explore group therapy: More affordable than individual sessions
- Negotiate session frequency: Bi-weekly or monthly rather than weekly
- Seek referrals: Ask primary care doctors for affordable options
Insurance Strategies
- Verify benefits: Check your insurance policy's mental health coverage
- Use in-network providers: Significantly reduces out-of-pocket costs
- Consider add-on coverage: Some insurers offer mental health riders
- Request proper coding: Ensure services are billed correctly
- Appeal denials: Challenge insurance rejections when appropriate
Local Resources
- NIMHANS Helpline: 080-26995000 for referrals to affordable providers
- Parivarthan Helpline: 080-25273462 for counselling support and referrals
- Bangalore Mental Health Collective: Directory of sliding-scale providers
- Community health centers: BBMP-run facilities with subsidised services
- Employee Assistance Programs: Many Bangalore tech companies offer free counselling sessions
Transportation Considerations
Public Transport Access
- Metro lines: Limited coverage, primarily central areas
- Bus routes: BMTC buses connect most neighborhoods
- Auto-rickshaws: Available throughout Bangalore for last-mile connectivity
- Ride-sharing: Uber and Ola widely available but costly in peak hours
- Parking challenges: Severe in central areas, moderate in outer areas
Traffic Planning
- Peak hours: Allow 60-90 minutes extra during 8:30-11am and 5-9pm
- Seasonal disruptions: Plan for monsoon-related delays June-September
- Alternative routes: Use Google Maps or Bangalore Traffic Police updates
- Therapy scheduling: Mid-day appointments often easier to access
- Virtual options: Consider telehealth to avoid Bangalore's notorious traffic
Sources
- Indian Psychiatric Society Fee Survey (2025)
- Karnataka Medical Council Provider Directory (2025)
- Practo Healthcare Provider Data (2025)
- TherapyRoute Bangalore Provider Analysis (2025)
- NIMHANS Mental Health Services Rate Card (2025)
- YourDOST Mental Health Provider Survey (2025)
- Christ University Psychology Department Fee Structure (2025)
- Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India Guidelines (2025)
- Bangalore Mental Health Collective Provider Database (2025)
Note: Prices are current as of May 25, 2025 but may change. Always verify costs directly with providers before beginning treatment.
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Important:
TherapyRoute does not provide medical advice. All content is for informational purposes and cannot replace consulting a healthcare professional. If you face an emergency, please contact a local emergency service. For immediate emotional support, consider contacting a local helpline.
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