How Much Does Therapy Cost in India? (2025)
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Updated on Jun 19, 2025
Curious about therapy costs across India in 2025? This guide breaks down fees by provider and city, explains what insurance covers, and shares smart tips to help you find affordable, quality mental health care—whether you’re in Mumbai, Hyderabad, or a small town in Kerala.
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Curious about how much therapy costs in India in 2025? This comprehensive guide breaks down session fees by provider type and city, explains what’s covered by insurance (and what’s not), and shares practical tips to help you find mental health support that fits your needs and budget—whether you’re in Mumbai, Hyderabad, or a small town in Kerala.
- Quick Summary
- Therapy Costs by Provider Type
- Regional Cost Variations
- Health Insurance Coverage
- Public Sector Mental Health Services
- Online Therapy Options
- Factors Affecting Therapy Costs
- Affordable Therapy Options
- Tips to Reduce Therapy Costs
- Sources
Quick Summary
- Average therapy cost range: ₹1,000-₹4,025 per session
- Psychiatrist consultation: ₹1,500-₹4,600 initial, ₹1,000-₹3,450 follow-up
- Online therapy options: ₹800-₹2,875 per session
- Health insurance coverage: Limited, typically only for inpatient psychiatric care
- Government hospital services: ₹0-₹575 based on income assessment
Therapy Costs by Provider Type
| Provider Type | Credentials | Average Cost Range | Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychiatrist | MD/DNB Psychiatry | ₹1,500-₹4,600 initial, ₹1,000-₹3,450 follow-up | Limited to hospitalisation |
| Clinical Psychologist | M.Phil/PhD Clinical Psychology, RCI registered | ₹1,500-₹4,025 | Rarely covered |
| Counselling Psychologist | MA/M.Sc Psychology | ₹1,000-₹2,875 | Not covered |
| Psychotherapist | Various certifications | ₹1,200-₹3,450 | Not covered |
| Psychiatric Social Worker | MSW with mental health specialisation | ₹800-₹2,300 | Not covered |
| Mental Health Counsellor | Diploma/Certificate in counselling | ₹800-₹2,070 | Not covered |
Regional Cost Variations
Metro Cities (Higher Cost)
- South Mumbai/South Delhi: ₹2,500-₹4,600 per session
- Bangalore (Central): ₹2,000-₹4,025 per session
- Gurgaon/Noida: ₹1,800-₹4,025 per session
- Chennai (Central): ₹1,800-₹3,450 per session
- Pune (Koregaon Park/Kalyani Nagar): ₹1,800-₹3,450 per session
Tier-2 Cities
- Hyderabad: ₹1,500-₹2,875 per session
- Kolkata: ₹1,200-₹2,875 per session
- Ahmedabad: ₹1,200-₹2,530 per session
- Chandigarh: ₹1,200-₹2,530 per session
- Jaipur: ₹1,000-₹2,300 per session
Smaller Cities/Towns
- Tier-3 cities: ₹800-₹2,070 per session
- District towns: ₹600-₹1,725 per session
- Rural areas: Limited availability, ₹500-₹1,380 where available
- Telehealth services: ₹800-₹2,875 regardless of location
- NGO services: ₹300-₹1,150 sliding scale
Health Insurance Coverage
Private Health Insurance
- Inpatient psychiatric care: Covered under most comprehensive plans
- Outpatient therapy: Generally not covered by most insurance plans
- Waiting periods: Typically 2-4 years for pre-existing mental health conditions
- Coverage limits: Usually capped at ₹50,000-₹3,45,000 annually for psychiatric hospitalisation
- Day care procedures: Some newer policies cover day care psychiatric treatments
Government Health Schemes
- Ayushman Bharat: Covers inpatient psychiatric treatment for eligible beneficiaries
- CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme): Limited coverage for government employees
- ESI (Employees' State Insurance): Basic coverage for eligible workers
- State government schemes: Vary widely in coverage and availability
- Outpatient coverage: Minimal to non-existent for therapy services
Corporate Health Benefits
- Employee Assistance Programs: Some multinational companies offer 3-8 free sessions
- Group health insurance: May have better mental health coverage than individual plans
- Wellness benefits: Some companies offer stipends for mental health services
- Coverage limitations: Often restricted to specific provider networks
- Confidentiality concerns: May deter some employees from utilising benefits
Public Sector Mental Health Services
Government Hospital Services
- NIMHANS (Bangalore): ₹50-₹345 per consultation
- IHBAS (Delhi): ₹20-₹230 per consultation
- Government Medical Colleges: ₹10-₹115 per consultation
- District Mental Health Program: Free to minimal cost where available
- Waiting times: Often 2-4 hours for walk-in consultations, 2-8 weeks for appointments
University Psychology Departments
- TISS Mumbai: ₹300-₹1,150 sliding scale
- Delhi University: ₹300-₹920 sliding scale
- Christ University Bangalore: ₹300-₹920 sliding scale
- Other university clinics: ₹200-₹920 based on income
- Student counselling: Free for enrolled students
NGO Mental Health Services
- Sangath: Low-cost services in multiple states
- The Live Love Laugh Foundation: Free/subsidised services
- iCall (TISS): Free telephone counselling
- AASRA: Free crisis support
- Local NGOs: Rates vary by organisation and location
Online Therapy Options
Dedicated Mental Health Platforms
- Practo: ₹800-₹2,875 per session
- Talkspace India: ₹1,500-₹3,450 per week (subscription)
- YourDOST: ₹800-₹2,070 per session
- Mindpeers: ₹700-₹1,725 per session
- Wysa: ₹1,200-₹2,300 per session
Subscription Models
- Weekly packages: ₹1,500-₹3,450 per week
- Monthly subscriptions: ₹4,000-₹11,500 per month
- Text-based therapy: ₹1,000-₹2,875 per week
- Video session packages: Discounted rates for 4-8 session commitments
- Corporate partnerships: Reduced rates through employer programs
Telehealth Advantages
- Accessibility: Available in areas with limited in-person options
- Convenience: No travel time or costs
- Affordability: Generally 20-30% less expensive than in-person
- Anonymity: Greater privacy for those concerned about stigma
- Flexible scheduling: Often available outside standard business hours
Factors Affecting Therapy Costs
Provider Factors
- Qualifications: Higher degrees and international certifications command higher fees
- Experience: Senior practitioners with 10+ years charge premium rates
- Reputation: Well-known therapists with media presence charge more
- Specialisations: Expertise in specific areas (e.g., trauma, addiction) often costs more
- Practice setting: Private clinics vs. hospital-affiliated practices
Geographic Factors
- City tier: Metropolitan cities have significantly higher rates
- Neighbourhood: Premium locations within cities charge more
- Competition: Areas with fewer mental health professionals have higher rates
- Local economy: Rates adjusted to local purchasing power
- Expatriate services: English-speaking therapists in expat areas charge premium rates
Session Factors
- Session duration: Standard 45-60 minutes vs. extended sessions
- Assessment sessions: Initial consultations often cost 20-50% more
- Specialised assessments: Psychological testing costs extra (₹3,000-₹17,250)
- Report preparation: Additional fees for documentation (₹1,000-₹5,750)
- Couples/family therapy: Often charged at higher rates (₹2,000-₹5,750)
Affordable Therapy Options
Sliding Scale Providers
- Community clinics: Therapists offering income-based rates
- Early career professionals: Recently qualified therapists charge lower rates
- Training institutes: Supervised therapy by trainees (₹300-₹920)
- University departments: Services by psychology students/faculty
- Pro bono sessions: Some therapists reserve slots for low-income clients
Group Therapy Options
- Support groups: ₹300-₹920 per session
- Therapy groups: ₹500-₹1,380 per session
- Specialised groups: For specific conditions or populations
- Workshop format: Psychoeducational groups at lower per-person cost
- Online groups: Often more affordable than in-person groups
Alternative Resources
- Helplines: Free crisis support (AASRA, Vandrevala Foundation)
- Community support groups: Often free or minimal cost
- Religious/spiritual counselling: Free through places of worship
- Mental health apps: Free to ₹575 monthly subscription
- Bibliotherapy: Self-help books and resources
Tips to Reduce Therapy Costs
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
Alternative Approaches
- University research programs: Free treatment as part of studies
- Mental health camps: Periodic free services by hospitals/NGOs
- Workplace EAP: Check if your employer offers counselling benefits
- Community health workers: In some states through government programs
- Digital mental health tools: Apps and online resources as supplements
Financial Planning
- Health savings: Some banks offer health savings accounts
- Payment plans: Some providers offer installment options
- Family therapy: More cost-effective than individual sessions for family issues
- Time-limited therapy: Brief, solution-focused approaches (6-12 sessions)
- Preventive care: Stress management and wellness programs
Sources
- Indian Psychiatric Society. (2025). "Mental Healthcare Cost Survey."
- Rehabilitation Council of India. (2024). "Directory of Registered Mental Health Professionals."
- National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences. (2025). "Mental Health Services Accessibility Report."
- Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India. (2025). "Health insurance coverage Analysis."
- Practo Healthcare Intelligence. (2025). "Mental Health Consultation Pricing Report."
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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