How Much Does Therapy Cost in Mumbai? (2025)
#Therapy
Updated on Jun 19, 2025
Curious about therapy costs in Mumbai for 2025? This guide unpacks everything—from price differences across neighbourhoods to insurance coverage, budget options, and tips to cut costs—so you can find care that fits both your needs and your wallet.
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This comprehensive 2025 guide provides a detailed breakdown of therapy costs in Mumbai, exploring variations by provider type, neighbourhood, and insurance coverage, along with practical tips for finding affordable mental health care in the city.
- Quick Summary
- Therapy Costs by Provider Type
- Regional Cost Variations
- Insurance Coverage
- Affordable Therapy Options
- Online Therapy Options
- Factors Affecting Mumbai Therapy Costs
- Tips to Reduce Therapy Costs in Mumbai
- Transportation Considerations
- Sources
Quick Summary
- Average therapy cost range: ₹1,200-₹4,025 per session.
- Psychiatrist consultation: ₹2,000-₹6,900 initial, ₹1,500-₹4,600 follow-up.
- Insurance coverage: Limited, primarily for hospitalisation.
- Neighbourhood price difference: Up to 40% higher in South Mumbai vs. Extended Suburbs.
- Affordable options: From ₹200 at university clinics to ₹1,725 for group therapy.
Therapy Costs by Provider Type
| Provider Type | Initial Consultation | Follow-up Session | Telehealth Session | Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychiatrist | ₹2,000-₹6,900 | ₹1,500-₹4,600 | ₹1,200-₹4,025 | Limited, hospitalisation |
| Clinical Psychologist | ₹1,500-₹4,600 | ₹1,200-₹4,025 | ₹1,000-₹3,450 | Very limited |
| Counselling Psychologist | ₹1,000-₹3,450 | ₹800-₹2,875 | ₹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-₹3,450 | ₹800-₹2,875 | Rarely covered |
| Addiction Counsellor | ₹1,000-₹2,875 | ₹800-₹2,300 | ₹700-₹2,070 | Rarely covered |
| Child & Adolescent Therapist | ₹1,500-₹4,600 | ₹1,200-₹4,025 | ₹1,000-₹3,450 | Very limited |
Regional Cost Variations
South Mumbai (Premium)
- Areas: Malabar Hill, Cuffe Parade, Colaba, Nariman Point.
- Clinical Psychologist: ₹1,800-₹4,600 per session.
- Psychiatrist: ₹2,500-₹6,900 initial, ₹2,000-₹4,600 follow-up.
- Premium factor: 30-40% above city average.
- Notable practices: Malabar Hill Wellness, Colaba Therapy Centre.
- Accessibility: Limited public transport, expensive parking.
Western Suburbs (Upper Mid-range)
- Areas: Bandra, Juhu, Andheri West, Santacruz West.
- Clinical Psychologist: ₹1,500-₹4,370 per session.
- Psychiatrist: ₹2,200-₹5,750 initial, ₹1,800-₹4,370 follow-up.
- Premium factor: 15-25% above city average.
- Notable practices: Bandra Mind Care, Juhu Wellness Clinic.
- Accessibility: Good train connectivity, moderate parking.
Central Mumbai (Mid-range)
- Areas: Dadar, Mahim, Matunga, Parel.
- Clinical Psychologist: ₹1,200-₹4,025 per session.
- Psychiatrist: ₹2,000-₹5,175 initial, ₹1,500-₹4,025 follow-up.
- Premium factor: At city average.
- Notable practices: Dadar Psychology Centre, Matunga Mind Clinic.
- Accessibility: Excellent train connectivity, limited parking.
Eastern Suburbs (Lower Mid-range)
- Areas: Chembur, Ghatkopar, Mulund, Powai.
- Clinical Psychologist: ₹1,000-₹3,450 per session.
- Psychiatrist: ₹1,800-₹4,600 initial, ₹1,300-₹3,450 follow-up.
- Premium factor: 10-15% below city average.
- Notable practices: Powai Wellness Hub, Ghatkopar Counselling.
- Accessibility: Good train connectivity, adequate parking.
Extended Suburbs (Budget-friendly)
- Areas: Thane, Navi Mumbai, Mira Road, Borivali.
- Clinical Psychologist: ₹900-₹3,220 per session.
- Psychiatrist: ₹1,600-₹4,025 initial, ₹1,200-₹3,220 follow-up.
- Premium factor: 20-30% below city average.
- Notable practices: Thane Mind Care, Navi Mumbai Therapy.
- Accessibility: Limited train connectivity, good parking.
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 Mumbai corporate sector.
- Typical coverage: Limited number of therapy sessions (5-10 annually), EAP programmes.
- Common providers: Financial services, IT companies, multinational corporations.
- Access method: Through HR department or designated EAP portal.
- Confidentiality: Varying levels of privacy protection.
Affordable Therapy Options
University Clinics
- TISS iCall: ₹300-₹920 per session.
- Mumbai University Counselling Centre: ₹200-₹690 per session.
- SNDT Women's University Counselling Services: ₹200-₹575 per session.
- Services offered: Assessment, individual therapy, group therapy.
- Providers: Supervised Master's and Doctoral students.
- Waiting period: 2-6 weeks typically.
NGO Services
- Aasra: ₹200-₹920 based on income.
- Vandrevala Foundation: ₹300-₹805 based on income.
- Samaritans Mumbai: Free to ₹575 based on income.
- Services offered: Counselling, support groups, crisis intervention.
- Locations: Offices throughout Mumbai.
- Specialisations: Suicide prevention, domestic violence, addiction support.
Government Hospitals
- KEM Hospital: ₹20-₹230 based on income assessment.
- Sion Hospital: ₹20-₹230 based on income assessment.
- JJ Hospital: ₹10-₹173 based on income assessment.
- Services offered: Psychiatric services, limited therapy options.
- Waiting time: 2-8 weeks for non-urgent cases.
- Referral process: Requires referral from primary healthcare facility.
Group Therapy
- Average cost: ₹600-₹1,725 per session.
- Common types: Anxiety, depression, addiction, grief support.
- Locations: Private practices, hospitals, community centres.
- Frequency: Weekly or bi-weekly sessions.
- Duration: Typically 90 minutes per session.
- Specialised groups: Women's groups, LGBTQ+ support, young adult therapy.
Online Therapy Options
Local Platforms
- Practo: ₹800-₹2,875 per session.
- DocVita: ₹700-₹2,530 per session.
- TherapyRoute India: ₹800-₹2,875 per session.
- Mindpeers: ₹600-₹2,070 per session.
- Advantages: Lower overhead costs, no travel time, flexible scheduling.
International Platforms
- BetterHelp: $65-$104 (₹5,400-₹8,625) 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 Mumbai 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.
Mumbai-Specific Factors
- High cost of living: Mumbai's status as India's most expensive city directly impacts provider fees.
- Commute challenges: Significant travel time and costs affecting session scheduling and pricing.
- Corporate wellness: Strong corporate sector driving employee assistance programmes and insurance coverage.
- Space constraints: Limited real estate driving up overhead costs for providers.
- High provider concentration: Competitive market in premium areas with many specialists.
- Socioeconomic diversity: Extreme income disparities creating wide range of pricing options.
Tips to Reduce Therapy Costs in Mumbai
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
- TISS iCall Helpline: 022-25521111 for referrals to affordable providers.
- Aasra Helpline: 9820466726 for crisis support and referrals.
- Mumbai Mental Health Collective: Directory of sliding-scale providers.
- Community health centres: BMC-run facilities with subsidised services.
- Employee Assistance Programmes: Many Mumbai employers offer free counselling sessions.
Transportation Considerations
Public Transport Access
- Local trains: Western, Central, and Harbor lines serve most therapy hubs.
- Bus routes: BEST buses connect most neighbourhoods.
- Metro lines: Limited coverage but expanding.
- Auto-rickshaws: Available in suburbs for last-mile connectivity.
- Ride-sharing: Uber and Ola widely available but costly in peak hours.
Traffic Planning
- Peak hours: Allow 60-90 minutes extra during 8-11am and 5-9pm.
- Monsoon disruptions: Plan for delays during June-September rainy season.
- Alternative routes: Use Google Maps or M-Indicator for real-time traffic updates.
- Therapy scheduling: Mid-day appointments often easier to access.
- Virtual options: Consider telehealth to avoid Mumbai's notorious traffic entirely.
Sources
- Indian Psychiatric Society Fee Survey (2025)
- Maharashtra Medical Council Provider Directory (2025)
- Practo Healthcare Provider Data (2025)
- TherapyRoute Mumbai Provider Analysis (2025)
- KEM Hospital Mental Health Services Rate Card (2025)
- DocVita Mental Health Provider Survey (2025)
- TISS iCall Service Statistics (2025)
- Mumbai University Counselling Centre Fee Structure (2025)
- Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India Guidelines (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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