Therapy in India ranges from Rs 500 to Rs 4500 per session, with massive quality variance. Here is how to find a real therapist, what insurance covers, and the red flags to avoid.

Therapy in urban India is more accessible than ever — platforms like Mindpeers, Amaha, and YourDOST list verified therapists with bookings under Rs 1500/session. Insurance coverage improved after IRDAI's 2022 mandate, but most policies still cap mental health benefits at Rs 25,000-50,000/year. For a first session, look for: a real clinical psychology degree (M.Phil or PhD), 3+ years of experience, and reviews from people with similar concerns. Avoid anyone selling courses, retreats, or "spiritual healing" packages. Expect the first session to focus on history-gathering, not solutions. Real change shows up around weeks 6-10. If you're not seeing any shift by week 12, change therapists — not a failure of therapy, just a fit issue.