How Much Does Therapy Cost in India? (2025)

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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.

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Quick Summary

Therapy Costs by Provider Type

Regional Cost Variations

Health Insurance Coverage

Public Sector Mental Health Services

Factors Affecting Therapy Costs

Affordable Therapy Options

Tips to Reduce Therapy Costs

Therapy Cost Directory

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

Therapy Cost Directory

More Indian Cities

Worldwide

For a global overview of therapy costs, see Therapy Costs Worldwide.

Statewide

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.