The Complete Guide to Finding a Therapist in India

This guide is meant to help you understand how the mental health system in India actually works — how therapists are trained, what different titles mean, how therapy is practiced, and how to choose someone who fits both your current struggles and the kind of change you’re looking for.

For many people, therapy can feel confusing. Titles overlap, advice online is inconsistent, and it’s not always clear where to begin. This guide is designed to give you a simple, grounded overview so you can make informed choices without feeling overwhelmed.

How do therapists become therapists?

In India, anyone offering therapy must have completed formal postgraduate training. At a minimum, this means a master’s degree in psychology.

You’ll often hear several terms used interchangeably — therapist, psychologist, counsellor — but there are important distinctions.

A psychologist/counsellor is someone who has completed a master’s degree in psychology. This degree may be in clinical psychology, counselling psychology, applied psychology, or a related field. Psychologists mainly provide talk therapy and work with concerns such as stress, burnout, relationship difficulties, emotional regulation, identity issues, and life transitions. They do not diagnose mental disorders or prescribe medication.

A clinical psychologist is someone who has gone on to complete an MPhil in Clinical Psychology from an accredited institution. Clinical psychologists are trained to assess and diagnose mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, and trauma-related conditions. They provide therapy but do not prescribe medication.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MBBS + MD in Psychiatry). Psychiatrists assess, diagnose, and prescribe medication when needed. Some psychiatrists also offer talk therapy, but many focus primarily on medication management.

Each of these roles serves a different function, and they often work together.

Who should you approach?

The right starting point depends on what you’re dealing with.

If you’re facing non-clinical concerns — feeling stuck, emotionally drained, unfulfilled, anxious without knowing why, struggling with relationships, motivation, or direction, a psychologist or therapist is usually the right place to start. If, during the process, a diagnosis or medication seems necessary, they can refer you to a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist while continuing the therapy work.

If you’re experiencing significant or persistent symptoms — such as prolonged low mood, panic attacks, severe anxiety, sleep disturbances, or a sense that something feels unmanageable — a clinical psychologist can help assess what’s going on and guide next steps. If medication is required, they may refer you to a psychiatrist while continuing therapy alongside it.

In most cases, your psychologist or clinical psychologist becomes your primary point of care, while psychiatrists are consulted periodically for medical support when needed.

You can also approach a psychiatrist directly, especially if you believe medication may be necessary, but it’s always worth checking whether they offer talk therapy as well.

Why finding the right therapist can feel difficult

Many people are surprised by how hard it is to find the “right” therapist. This isn’t a failure on your part — it’s simply because therapy is relational. Finding someone you feel safe opening up to, who understands you and can think clearly with you, can sometimes feel like trial and error. Even therapists themselves often take time to find someone who fits their personality and needs.

At Epiphany, the focus is on thoughtful matching — not just based on symptoms, but on how you think, what kind of conversations work for you, and what you’re hoping to change. This reduces the need to repeatedly “shop around” and start over.

How do therapists actually do their work?

During training, therapists learn both theory and frameworks — different ways of understanding human behaviour, emotions, and change.

For example, a therapist trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) may focus on thought patterns, behaviours, and structured exercises. This approach often involves homework, worksheets, and practical tasks between sessions. For some people, this is extremely effective. For others, it can feel rigid or effortful.

Other therapists work from a psychodynamic approach, which focuses on understanding patterns formed early in life, recurring relationship dynamics, and the deeper emotional themes that shape how you think, feel, and relate today. These sessions tend to feel more conversational and reflective, with less emphasis on worksheets and more on insight, awareness, and emotional processing.

In practice, most therapists in India are integrative or 'eclectic' — meaning they draw from multiple approaches and adapt their style based on what you need, rather than following one method rigidly.

No single approach is “better” than another. What matters is fit — your temperament, your pace, and what you respond to best. If you know you don’t enjoy structured homework, a heavily worksheet-based approach may not suit you. If you prefer clear tools and tasks, it might be exactly what you need.

Understanding this can make choosing a therapist far less frustrating.

If you want to skip the guesswork

If you’d rather not navigate this process alone — comparing profiles, second-guessing your choices, or starting over multiple times — you can reach out to work with a therapist who aligns with your needs, temperament, and goals from the start.

Sometimes, having the right person to think with is the difference between simply coping and actually moving forward.

If you are in immediate distress or feel unsafe, a crisis helpline may be the right first step. They are not a substitute for ongoing therapy, but they can be life-saving in times of acute crisis. In India, helplines offer confidential, short-term support and can help you stabilise before you seek longer-term care.

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