Medically Reviewed By

Ms. Tanvi Jain, M.Phil Clinical Psychology

RCI Registration No. A-A82135 · Clinical Psychologist

This content has been medically reviewed by Ms. Tanvi Jain (M.Phil Clinical Psychology, RCI Registration No. A-A82135). The information is based on current evidence and clinical practice guidelines, including NICE CG90, CG113, and CG31, APA Division 12 (2024), WHO mhGAP (2024), the Lancet Digital Health 2023 meta-analysis, Cuijpers et al. (2023), and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) Clinical Practice Guideline (2021).

Last fully reviewed: July 4, 2026

Book Consultation

Find Your Match

Click Your Condition — See Which Clinical Psychologist Can Help.

Click your condition to discover RCI-registered Clinical Psychologists experienced in helping individuals facing similar emotional, behavioural, and mental health challenges.

🧭 Book a session Browse More Experts →

Still not sure? Get Matched →

Our Care Team

Your RCI-Registered Clinical Psychologist.

Every Clinical Psychologist is registered with the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) under the RCI Act, 1992, and is trained in the assessment, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment of a wide range of mental health concerns.

View All Experts →

Real Change Takes More Than One Conversation.

Our structured therapy plans are designed to help you work through challenges, build coping skills, and make meaningful progress with consistent professional support.

TL;DR · Key Takeaways

Online clinical psychology, in 30 seconds.

RCI-licensed clinical psychologists (M.Phil / PhD)
Fully legal under Telemedicine Practice Guidelines 2020
Evidence-based CBT, DBT, EMDR, ACT
Depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, ADHD, bipolar
Combined with psychiatrist when meds needed
MHCA 2017 confidentiality protected
Plans start ₹899 — 8-session packages available
Most conditions improve in 8–20 structured sessions

Quick Answer

Can I get evidence-based therapy with a clinical psychologist online?

Yes. Online clinical psychology in India is fully legal under Telemedicine Practice Guidelines, 2020. RCI-licensed clinical psychologists (M.Phil / PhD) deliver evidence-based therapies — CBT, DBT, EMDR, ACT — for depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, ADHD, bipolar and personality concerns.

A 2023 Lancet Digital Health meta-analysis confirms online psychotherapy is as effective as in-clinic for most conditions, with higher attendance.

Plans from ₹899

Therapy Care Plans · Psychologist + Psychiatrist

One plan. Clinical Psychologist & Psychiatrist together.

Effective mental-health care often combines evidence-based therapy with medication when indicated. Every plan beyond the first session pairs an RCI-licensed clinical psychologist with an MD psychiatrist. New patients save 10% with code WELCOME10.

🧠 Why psychologist + psychiatrist together? NICE and APA guidelines show combined therapy + medication often outperforms either alone for moderate-to-severe depression, OCD, bipolar and severe anxiety. Your clinical psychologist leads therapy; the psychiatrist reviews if medication is indicated. Not sure which plan? Ask us →

Conditions Treated

Expert care for depression, anxiety, trauma, OCD, ADHD & more.

Our RCI-licensed clinical psychologists diagnose and treat the full spectrum of mental-health concerns using evidence-based, structured therapy aligned with NICE, APA and WHO mhGAP guidelines.

😔

Depression

Persistent low mood, loss of interest, fatigue — CBT, IPT & MBCT.

😰

Anxiety Disorders

Generalised anxiety, panic, social, health — CBT & ACT.

💭

OCD

Intrusive thoughts & compulsions — Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP).

🌪

PTSD & Trauma

Childhood, accident, abuse trauma — Trauma-focused CBT & EMDR.

⚡

Bipolar Disorder

Mood-cycling support, psychoeducation, IPSRT — paired with psychiatrist.

🧠

Adult ADHD

Focus, organisation, emotion-regulation skills — CBT for ADHD.

🎭

Personality Disorders

Borderline, narcissistic — long-term DBT or schema therapy.

🍽

Eating Disorders

Anorexia, bulimia, binge — CBT-E with multidisciplinary support.

😴

Sleep Disorders

Insomnia, sleep anxiety — CBT-I (gold-standard insomnia therapy).

⚠️

Self-Harm / Suicidal Ideation

Safety planning, DBT, crisis support — confidential & immediate routing.

💼

Workplace Burnout

Chronic work stress, exhaustion, cynicism — ACT & CBT.

🤱

Postpartum Depression

Perinatal mood concerns — IPT, CBT & psychiatric coordination.

Consult Clinical Psychologist Online →

What to Expect

How a therapy session actually works inside.

Many people put off therapy because they don't know what happens in a session. Here's exactly what to expect — minute by minute — across your first session and beyond.

Your First Session (30–60 min)

Setting expectations · No homework · Confidential

1First 5 minutes: Introductions, confidentiality & consent (MHCA 2017), session structure.
25–25 minutes: What brought you here — symptoms, when they started, impact on life.
325–40 minutes: Brief screening (PHQ-9 / GAD-7) and a few questions about sleep, work, relationships.
440–55 minutes: Initial formulation & a clear treatment plan (which therapy, how many sessions, goals).
5Last 5 minutes: Your questions, scheduling next session, secure session summary in your vault.

A Typical Mid-Course CBT Session (60 min)

Goal-focused · Structured · Skills-based

1Check-in (5 min): Mood rating, week in review, anything urgent.
2Homework review (10 min): What you tried since last session — what worked, what didn't.
3Setting the agenda (5 min): What you most want to focus on today.
4Skill-building (30 min): Working on a specific skill — thought records, exposure, behavioural activation, mindfulness.
5Recap & homework (10 min): Summary, this week's experiment, schedule next.

A few things first-time clients often ask

🤔

"Will I have to share everything?" No — you set the pace. You can decline to discuss anything.

😟

"What if I cry?" That's normal and welcomed. We will pause if you need to.

📝

"Will I get homework?" Most evidence-based therapies use between-session exercises. They are small & doable.

⏱

"How long until I feel better?" Most people notice a shift by sessions 4–6.

🔒

"Is this truly confidential?" Yes — protected by MHCA 2017 & RCI ethical standards (see your rights below).

💊

"Will I be told to take medication?" A clinical psychologist doesn't prescribe. They recommend a psychiatrist if needed.

Therapy Approaches Compared

Which evidence-based therapy is right for you?

Modern clinical psychology has six well-validated therapies. They differ by what they target, typical duration and evidence strength. Your clinical psychologist will match the right approach to your concern — here's a quick guide.

Evidence-based therapies offered by HopeQure clinical psychologists
Therapy	Best for	How it works	Duration	Evidence
CBT Cognitive Behavioral Therapy	Depression, anxiety, panic, social anxiety, insomnia, work stress	Identifies and reshapes unhelpful thought + behaviour patterns; structured worksheets & experiments.	8–16 sessions	★★★★★ NICE Tier 1, gold standard
DBT Dialectical Behavior Therapy	Emotion-regulation issues, borderline PD, chronic self-harm, severe mood swings	Combines CBT skills with mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness; often group + individual.	6–12 months	★★★★★ APA gold standard for BPD
EMDR Eye Movement Desensitization	PTSD, single-incident trauma, complex trauma, phobias	Bilateral stimulation (eye movements / sounds) while recalling trauma — reduces emotional charge.	8–16 sessions	★★★★★ WHO & APA recommended for PTSD
ACT Acceptance & Commitment	Chronic anxiety, chronic pain, workplace burnout, values-based life change	Build psychological flexibility — accept what you can't control, commit to values-based action.	8–12 sessions	★★★★ APA empirically supported
ERP Exposure & Response Prevention	OCD, contamination fears, intrusive thoughts, compulsions	Graduated exposure to triggers while preventing the compulsive ritual; the gold-standard OCD therapy.	12–20 sessions	★★★★★ NICE Tier 1 for OCD
MBCT Mindfulness-Based CBT	Recurrent depression, prevention of relapse, generalised anxiety	Combines mindfulness meditation with CBT; especially effective at preventing depressive relapse.	8 sessions (manualised)	★★★★ NICE for relapse prevention
Psychodynamic Insight-Oriented	Long-standing relational patterns, identity, self-understanding	Explores how past relationships shape current emotions; less structured, more exploratory.	6 months – 2 years	★★★ Effective for some, less for acute symptoms

Not sure which fits your concern? Your psychologist will recommend during your first session. Book a first session →

Your Rights · MHCA 2017

Confidentiality & your legal rights as a patient.

Therapy is protected by India's Mental Healthcare Act 2017 (MHCA) and the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) ethical standards. These laws give you specific, legally enforceable rights — here's what they mean for you.

🔐

Right to Confidentiality (Sec 23)

Your therapy content, diagnosis and records cannot be disclosed to anyone — including family, employer or insurer — without your written consent.

📋

Right to Access Records (Sec 25)

You can request a copy of your psychological records, assessments and session summaries at any time. We provide them within 48 hours.

✋

Right to Refuse Treatment (Sec 18)

You can refuse, modify or end any treatment at any session. Therapy is voluntary and consent-based.

📝

Right to Advance Directive (Sec 5)

You can specify in writing how you want to be cared for (or not) in case of a future severe episode — legally binding.

🚫

Right Against Discrimination (Sec 21)

A diagnosed mental illness cannot legally be used to deny you a job, education, insurance or housing.

⚖️

Right to Complain

You can complain to the State Mental Health Authority or RCI without affecting your care at HopeQure.

When confidentiality may be broken (narrow legal exceptions):
Confidentiality is broken only in three specific situations defined by RCI ethics & MHCA 2017: (1) imminent risk of serious harm to yourself — we may contact emergency services; (2) imminent risk of serious harm to an identifiable other person — we have a legal duty to warn; (3) court-ordered disclosure. Apart from these, your therapy is sealed. We will tell you upfront before any disclosure happens, where it is safely possible.

Read the full Mental Healthcare Act 2017 (PDF) · RCI Code of Ethics

Therapist Selection Guide

Clinical Psychologist vs Counselling Psychologist vs Psychiatrist — who do you need?

Three distinct mental-health professionals with different training, licensing bodies and roles. Picking the right one shortens your path to recovery.

Clinical Psychologist

M.Phil / PhD · RCI-licensed

Diagnoses mental disorders (ICD-11)
Delivers evidence-based therapy (CBT, DBT, EMDR)
Conducts psychological assessments
Cannot prescribe medication
Best for: depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, ADHD, personality concerns

Counselling Psychologist

M.A. / M.Sc. Psychology

Supports adjustment & life issues
Counselling for stress, grief, career
Relationship & communication support
Cannot diagnose / prescribe
Best for: stress, life transitions, mild emotional issues

Psychiatrist

MD Psychiatry · NMC-registered

Medical doctor specialising in mental health
Diagnoses + prescribes medication
Manages biological aspects of illness
Often works with a psychologist for therapy
Best for: severe depression, bipolar, psychosis, severe OCD/anxiety

Most moderate-to-severe mental-health concerns benefit from both — see our combined plans →

Severity Self-Check

Online therapy, urgent care, or emergency? Know in 30 seconds.

The right level of care, at the right moment, makes recovery faster. Here's the simple guide our clinical board uses to triage every incoming case.

✓ Routine — Online Therapy

Manageable from home

An online clinical psychologist is a great fit. Most cases here improve in 8–16 structured sessions.

Persistent low mood / anxiety > 2 weeks
Work stress, burnout, sleep difficulty
Relationship or family concerns
Mild–moderate OCD, phobia, social anxiety
Trauma processing (no active crisis)
Adult ADHD management

Book Online Therapy

⚠ Urgent — Same-week care

Don't wait — book this week

Severe symptoms affecting daily function need quicker support and likely a combined psychologist + psychiatrist plan.

Severe depression / can't function
Frequent panic attacks
Severe OCD with major time-loss
Bipolar episode (manic / depressive)
Trauma flashbacks affecting sleep / work
Postpartum depression

Book Combined Plan

✕ Emergency — Crisis Helpline

Get help immediately

HopeQure is not a crisis service. Please call a free 24×7 crisis helpline now:

Active thoughts / plan of self-harm
Active thoughts / plan to harm others
Psychotic symptoms (voices, paranoia)
Severe disorientation / can't care for self
Mania with reckless behaviour

How We Compare

HopeQure vs other online therapy platforms.

Most platforms route you to whoever's available. HopeQure is a managed clinical-psychology program — RCI-verified therapists, evidence-based protocols and integrated psychiatry.

How *RCI-licensed evidence-based therapy* compares
Feature	⭐ HopeQure	Generic Marketplace	Hospital Psychiatry OPD
RCI-licensed clinical psychologists only	Yes — every therapist	Mix of qualifications	Yes (when psychologist available)
Clinical Psychologist + Psychiatrist bundled	Yes — in combined plans	Separate, paid extra	Sometimes
Evidence-based protocols (CBT, DBT, EMDR)	Mandated & tracked	Therapist-dependent	Therapist-dependent
Average connect time	< 10 minutes	15–30 min	Days–weeks for appointment
8-session structured therapy package	Available + tracked	Pay per session	Limited
Starting price (single session)	₹899	₹1,000–₹2,000	₹1,500–₹3,000
MHCA 2017 confidentiality compliance	Documented & audited	Varies	Yes
Standardised screeners (PHQ-9, GAD-7)	Every plan	Not standard	Sometimes
16+ Indian languages	Yes	5–8 languages	1–2 languages
DPDP Act 2023 & ISO 27001 secured	Yes	Most	Most

Holistic Mental-Health Care

One care team. One health record. Complete mental-health support.

Your clinical psychologist coordinates therapy with a psychiatrist, lifestyle support and family involvement — under one connected care plan.

🧠

Therapy

Clinical Psychologist

RCI-licensed M.Phil / PhD
Evidence-based CBT, DBT, EMDR
Psychological assessment
Continuity with same therapist

Book Psychologist →

💊

Medication

Psychiatrist Review

MD-qualified psychiatrist
Diagnostic review
Medication start / titration
Coordinated with your therapist

Book Psychiatrist →

🧘

Lifestyle

Sleep, Nutrition & Movement

Sleep hygiene & CBT-I
Dietitian support if needed
Movement-as-medicine plans
Yoga & mindfulness

Explore Lifestyle →

👨‍👩‍👧

Family Support

Caregiver Sessions

Family psychoeducation
Couples or parent sessions
Crisis & safety planning
Reducing stigma at home

Family Support →

Bharat-First Mental Health

Therapy in the language you actually feel in.

Emotional vocabulary is deeply personal. Filter therapists by language and never lose meaning between feelings, memories and reflection.

English ↗

తెలుగు (Telugu) ↗

🎭

বাংলা (Bengali) ↗

🏙️

मराठी (Marathi) ↗

🪁

ગુજરાતી (Gujarati) ↗

💻

ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada) ↗

🌊

മലയാളം (Malayalam) ↗

🌾

ਪੰਜਾਬੀ (Punjabi) ↗

অসমীয়া (Assamese) ↗

➕

+ 7 More ↗

Outcomes Data · Evidence-Based

What does the research actually show?

Therapy outcomes vary by condition. These are recovery and response rates from large meta-analyses and clinical guidelines (NICE, APA, Cochrane), giving you a realistic picture of what evidence-based therapy can do.

Condition	Recommended Therapy	Recovery / Response Rate	Typical Duration	Source
Major Depression (mild–moderate)	CBT or IPT	50–60% reach remission	12–16 sessions	Cuijpers et al. meta-analysis, 2023
Major Depression (severe)	CBT + antidepressant	~67% response at 16 weeks	16–20 sessions	STAR*D & APA 2024
Generalised Anxiety Disorder	CBT or ACT	50–70% no longer meet criteria	8–14 sessions	NICE CG113 / 2023 update
Panic Disorder	CBT (exposure-based)	70–90% panic-free post-therapy	8–12 sessions	APA Division 12, 2024
Social Anxiety Disorder	CBT	60–70% clinically improved	12–16 sessions	NICE CG159
OCD	ERP (Exposure & Response Prevention)	60–80% with significant Y-BOCS reduction	14–22 sessions	NICE CG31 / APA 2024
PTSD (single-incident)	Trauma-Focused CBT or EMDR	60–80% no longer meet PTSD criteria	8–16 sessions	WHO & APA 2024 guidelines
Insomnia	CBT-I	70–80% clinically significant improvement	4–8 sessions	AASM 2021 Practice Guideline
Borderline PD	DBT	~75% significant symptom reduction	12 months (52 sessions)	Linehan et al. landmark trials
Bulimia / Binge Eating	CBT-E	~50% remission	20 sessions	NICE NG69

Important context: these are population averages from controlled trials. Your individual response will depend on severity, history, medication coordination, life circumstances and consistent engagement. Therapy is most effective when sessions are weekly, between-session work is completed, and the therapeutic alliance is strong.

HopeQure Outcomes

Real numbers from real therapy journeys.

Aggregated from 18,400+ HopeQure therapy sessions during FY 2025–26, audited every quarter by our clinical board.

67%

Remission rate at 12 sessions (CBT)

<10 min

Average time to connect with a therapist

4.5/5

Verified rating (14,872 reviews)

92%

Session-attendance rate

Your Care Journey

What happens after you book — step by step.

From booking to ongoing therapy, HopeQure delivers a smooth, secure and structured mental-health experience.

1

📅

Book in 60s

Choose your therapist, plan & language instantly.

2

📝

Intake form

Brief screeners (PHQ-9, GAD-7) before your first call.

3

🎥

First session

30–60 min · history, formulation, treatment plan.

4

🧠

Weekly therapy

Structured CBT / DBT sessions with the same psychologist.

5

📈

Progress review

Re-administer screeners at sessions 4 & 8 to track change.

Continuity of Care: Your assessments, treatment plan and session summaries stay securely stored — so your therapist (and psychiatrist if added) always have the full picture.

Start Your Care Plan →

Common Mental-Health Concerns

Therapy for depression, anxiety, trauma, OCD & more

Built on evidence-based clinical guidance and reviewed by RCI-licensed clinical psychologists. Select your concern to get matched with the right specialist and therapy approach.

😔 Depression 😰 Anxiety 😱 Panic Attacks 💭 OCD 🌪 PTSD & Trauma ⚡ Bipolar 🧠 Adult ADHD 😴 Insomnia 💼 Burnout 👫 Relationship 🤱 Postpartum ➕ Other

Free Mental Health Screeners

Validated screeners — instant results, no signup.

PHQ-9 (depression) and GAD-7 (anxiety) are the most widely used screening tools in clinical practice, validated by NICE and APA. They are screening tools, not diagnoses — share your score with a clinical psychologist for proper assessment.

PHQ-9 · Depression Screener

Over the last 2 weeks, how often were you bothered by each (0 = Not at all, 1 = Several days, 2 = More than half, 3 = Nearly every day)?

Little interest or pleasure in doing things

Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless

Trouble falling/staying asleep, or too much sleep

Feeling tired or having little energy

Poor appetite or overeating

Feeling bad about yourself / a failure

Trouble concentrating

Moving / speaking noticeably slowly or restlessly

Thoughts of being better off dead or self-harm

Score: 4 / 27

Minimal depression — monitor & self-care

Discuss your score with a psychologist →

GAD-7 · Anxiety Screener

Over the last 2 weeks, how often were you bothered by each (0 = Not at all, 1 = Several days, 2 = More than half, 3 = Nearly every day)?

Feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge

Not being able to stop or control worrying

Worrying too much about different things

Trouble relaxing

Being so restless it's hard to sit still

Becoming easily annoyed or irritable

Feeling afraid something awful might happen

Score: 5 / 21

Mild anxiety — consider therapy if affecting daily life

Discuss your score with a psychologist →

Burnout Quick Check

Rate how true each is for you right now (0–10).

Exhaustion (work / life)

Cynicism / detachment

Moderate burnout

CBT & ACT can help — recovery typically 8–12 sessions

Talk to a psychologist →

Sleep Quality Check

A short proxy for insomnia severity (CBT-I is the gold-standard treatment).

Mins to fall asleep

Wake-ups per night

Moderate insomnia

CBT-I is the gold-standard treatment, not sleeping pills

Get a CBT-I plan →

Self-Help · Evidence-Based

What can you do while you wait for your session?

Booking a therapist is a great first step. While you wait for your session, these are simple, evidence-based interim strategies — not a substitute for therapy, but they help reduce distress in the meantime.

🌬

Box Breathing (4-4-4-4)

Breathe in 4 seconds
Hold 4 seconds
Breathe out 4 seconds
Hold 4 seconds · repeat for 2 minutes

🪨

5-4-3-2-1 Grounding

Name 5 things you see
4 things you can touch
3 sounds you hear
2 smells · 1 taste

😴

Sleep Hygiene Basics

Wake at the same time daily
No screens 30 min before bed
Bedroom cool & dark
Avoid caffeine after 2 PM

📓

Worry Journal

Write each worry as a sentence
Mark: solvable / unsolvable
Action one solvable item
Park the rest for therapy

Important: If you are in active crisis, having thoughts of self-harm, or your symptoms are severe — please don't wait. Call a 24×7 helpline or book a same-day urgent session. Self-help techniques are designed for mild-to-moderate distress, not as a substitute for clinical care.

Evidence-Based Mental Health Care

Clinical Protocols & Standardised Care Pathways.

Every HopeQure clinical psychologist follows structured pathways based on NICE, APA, WHO mhGAP and Indian Mental Healthcare Act 2017 guidance — with psychiatry escalation built in for severe presentations.

PROTO-MDD-01

Major Depression Protocol

PHQ-9 baseline + ICD-11 criteria assessment
CBT first-line for mild–moderate (12–16 sessions)
Behavioural activation in early sessions
MBCT considered for recurrent depression
Psychiatric referral for moderate–severe / inadequate response
Re-administer PHQ-9 every 4 sessions to track change

PROTO-ANX-02

Anxiety Disorders Protocol

GAD-7 baseline + disorder-specific screening
CBT (exposure-based) for panic, social, GAD, phobia
ACT considered for chronic anxiety
Worry & safety-behaviour mapping
Psychiatric referral if severe or comorbid depression
GAD-7 re-measurement at sessions 4 & 8

PROTO-OCD-03

OCD & Trauma Protocol

Y-BOCS / IES-R baseline assessment
OCD: Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP), 14–22 sessions
PTSD: Trauma-Focused CBT or EMDR, 8–16 sessions
Hierarchy-based exposure planning
Family psychoeducation if accommodation present
Psychiatric review if SSRIs may augment outcomes

PROTO-ESC-04

Crisis & Escalation Protocol

Safety screening every session (PHQ-9 Q9, suicidal ideation check)
Collaborative safety plan if any risk identified
Immediate crisis-helpline routing
Same-day psychiatry consult for active suicidality
Hospital A&E / 112 referral for imminent risk
Follow-up within 24 hours after any crisis contact

Built For Real Lives

Therapy that fits how you actually live.

Flexible mental-health support designed for students, working professionals, parents and seniors managing long-term conditions.

🎓

Students

Exam stress, study anxiety
Career & identity concerns
Substance use, loneliness
Confidential — no parent reports

💼

Working Professionals

After-hours therapy slots
Workplace burnout & stress
No leave / travel required
Career & identity work

🤱

Parents & Postpartum

Postpartum depression / anxiety
Parenting stress
Couple therapy add-on
Coordination with gynae if needed

👵

Seniors

Late-life depression / loneliness
Grief & loss
Caregiver burnout
Family can join sessions

Patient Stories

Real patients, real transformations.

Verified therapy reviews from across India. Read all 14,000+ reviews →

★★★★★

"After 12 sessions of CBT, my PHQ-9 dropped from 19 to 6. I sleep, I focus, I laugh again. The structured approach made a huge difference."

AB

Aanya B.

Depression · Mumbai

★★★★★

"Years of OCD checking rituals. The ERP program was tough but it worked. By session 16, my Y-BOCS went from severe to mild. Life is mine again."

VR

Vinay R.

OCD · Bangalore

★★★★★

"Years of trauma I never spoke about. EMDR sessions over video helped tremendously — by session 10 the flashbacks stopped controlling me. Skeptical at first, transformed now."

PS

Pooja S.

PTSD · Delhi NCR

★★★★★

"A borderline personality disorder diagnosis felt overwhelming. DBT sessions helped me regain control. Self-harm reduced to zero in 6 months. It completely changed my life."

NM

Nikhil M.

BPD · Chennai

★★★★★

"The combined psychology and psychiatry treatment plan made all the difference for my bipolar disorder. Coordinated care is rare and incredibly valuable."

RK

Rahul K.

Bipolar · Pune

★★★★★

"Postpartum depression hit hard after my second baby. The combined support from mental health professionals helped me recover and brought stability back to our family. So grateful."

SK

Shreya K.

PPD · Hyderabad

Editorial & Clinical Standards

How we ensure everything you read here is accurate.

Mental-health misinformation does real harm. Every page on HopeQure follows a four-step editorial and clinical-review process designed to give you accurate, evidence-based information — written by writers, fact-checked by clinicians.

1

Source Review

All claims sourced from NICE, APA, WHO mhGAP, Cochrane, ICD-11, DSM-5-TR or peer-reviewed journals (Lancet, BMJ, JAMA Psychiatry).

2

Clinical Review

Each page is reviewed by an RCI-licensed clinical psychologist + an MD psychiatrist. Reviewer's name, credential and date shown publicly.

3

Annual Refresh

Every page is fully reviewed at least once every 12 months and any time underlying guidelines (NICE, APA) change.

4

Transparent Corrections

Notice an error? Email contactus@hopequre.com. We correct within 72 hours and log the change.

Security & Compliance

Your therapy data, fully secure & private.

HopeQure is built on a healthcare-grade security stack and aligned with global and Indian mental-health compliance frameworks.

🛡️

ISO 27001

Information security

⚖️

MHCA 2017

Mental Healthcare Act

📋

RCI Standards

Ethical conduct

🔒

DPDP Act 2023

Indian data privacy

📲

ABDM-aligned

Health Stack

🩺

Telemedicine 2020

MoHFW Guidelines

Knowledge · For Patients & Search

Quick answers to the questions that matter.

Quick Answer

What is the difference between a clinical psychologist and a counsellor?

A clinical psychologist holds an RCI-licensed M.Phil or PhD and can diagnose mental disorders and deliver evidence-based therapy (CBT, DBT, EMDR). A counsellor / counselling psychologist supports adjustment, stress and personal-growth issues but cannot diagnose.

Quick Answer

How long does therapy take to work?

Most evidence-based therapy is structured. NICE recommends 8–16 CBT sessions for mild–moderate depression and anxiety, 12–22 sessions of ERP for OCD, 8–16 sessions of EMDR or Trauma-Focused CBT for PTSD. Most people notice meaningful change by sessions 4–6.

Quick Answer

Is online therapy really effective?

Yes. A 2023 Lancet Digital Health meta-analysis of 50,000+ patients found online psychotherapy as effective as in-person therapy for depression, anxiety, PTSD and OCD, with higher attendance and lower dropout. Telemedicine is fully legal in India under the 2020 guidelines.

Clinical Psychology FAQs

Frequently asked questions about online therapy.

📞 Have a question? Contact Us →

What does a clinical psychologist do?

A clinical psychologist is an RCI-licensed mental health expert (M.Phil or PhD Clinical Psychology) who diagnoses and treats mental health disorders through psychological assessment and evidence-based talk therapy — CBT, DBT, EMDR, ACT, psychodynamic therapy. Unlike a psychiatrist, a clinical psychologist does not prescribe medication but provides in-depth therapy for depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, ADHD, personality disorders and relationship concerns.

Is online therapy with a clinical psychologist effective?

Yes. Multiple meta-analyses including a 2023 Lancet Digital Health review of over 50,000 patients show online psychotherapy is as effective as in-person therapy for most conditions including depression, anxiety, PTSD and OCD. Online sessions also have higher attendance rates and lower dropout than in-clinic therapy.

Clinical psychologist vs counselling psychologist vs psychiatrist — what is the difference?

A clinical psychologist (M.Phil/PhD, RCI-licensed) diagnoses and treats clinical mental disorders with evidence-based therapy. A counselling psychologist supports adjustment issues, relationships, stress and personal growth. A psychiatrist (MD) is a medical doctor who diagnoses mental illness and prescribes medication. For most severe or moderate conditions, the gold standard is a clinical psychologist for therapy plus a psychiatrist if medication is indicated.

How much does an online clinical psychologist consultation cost in India?

At HopeQure, online clinical psychology sessions start from ₹899 for a 60-minute consultation. A combined Clinical Psychologist + Psychiatrist plan is ₹2,400, a 5-Session Mental Wellness Package is ₹5,399, and a 10-Session Complete Therapy Transformation Program is ₹9,499. Choose the plan that best matches your mental health goals and treatment needs.

How many therapy sessions will I need?

Evidence-based therapy is usually structured. NICE and APA guidelines recommend 8–20 sessions for most conditions: mild-moderate depression and anxiety often resolve in 8–12 sessions of CBT; PTSD typically needs 12–16 sessions of trauma-focused CBT or EMDR; OCD needs 12–20 sessions of exposure and response prevention (ERP); personality disorders need longer-term DBT (12 months+).

Will my therapy sessions be confidential?

Yes. All sessions are protected under RCI ethical standards and the Mental Healthcare Act 2017. HopeQure is ISO 27001 certified, DPDP Act 2023 compliant and HIPAA-aligned. Sessions are end-to-end encrypted, records stay on Indian servers, and we never sell or share data. Confidentiality is broken only in narrow legally-required circumstances (imminent risk to self or others).

Are HopeQure clinical psychologists RCI-licensed?

Yes. Every clinical psychologist on HopeQure holds an M.Phil or PhD in Clinical Psychology with active Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) registration — the only legally recognised licensing body for clinical psychologists in India.

When should I see a clinical psychologist vs a counsellor?

See a clinical psychologist if you have: persistent symptoms beyond 2 weeks affecting work/sleep/relationships, suspected clinical diagnosis (depression, anxiety disorder, OCD, PTSD, bipolar, ADHD), trauma history, self-harm thoughts, or have not responded to general counselling. See a counsellor for everyday stress, adjustment, mild relationship issues, career confusion or personal growth.

What therapy approaches do HopeQure clinical psychologists use?

HopeQure clinical psychologists deliver evidence-based therapies aligned with NICE, APA and WHO mhGAP guidelines: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Trauma-Focused CBT, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP for OCD), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and psychodynamic therapy.

Can I get a diagnosis and prescription from a clinical psychologist?

A clinical psychologist can diagnose mental health conditions using standardised assessments and ICD-11/DSM-5-TR criteria, and can recommend whether medication may help — but prescriptions are issued by psychiatrists. HopeQure's combined Clinical Psychologist + Psychiatrist plans pair both, so you get therapy and medication review in one coordinated care plan.

Still have questions?

💬 WhatsApp 📞 Call Us Contact Us → ✉️ Email

Mental Health Support for Your Employees & Workforce.

Employee mental-health concerns silently affect productivity, absenteeism and retention. HopeQure helps organisations offer RCI-licensed clinical psychologist + psychiatrist care, mental-health screening drives and structured wellness programs for employees and their families.

✓ Clinical psychologist + psychiatrist consults for employees & dependents
✓ Anonymous mental-health screening (PHQ-9 / GAD-7) at scale
✓ Burnout-prevention programs for high-stress teams
✓ Manager mental-health training & psycho-safety workshops
✓ HR wellness dashboard with anonymised insights (DPDP 2023 compliant)

Explore Corporate Plans →

Related Specialists

Quick Access to Mental-Health & Wellness Experts.

Mental-health care often involves several experts. Explore HopeQure specialists supporting therapy, medication, couples, child concerns and lifestyle.

Psychiatrist Counselling Psychologist Rehabilitation Psychologist Couple Therapist Depression Counselling Anxiety Counselling PTSD Therapy CBT Therapy DBT Therapy Yoga & Mindfulness Dietitian (mood & gut) General Physician

India-Wide Reach

Lucknow, Indore, Patna, Coimbatore & more

↗

✔ Patient Mental-Health Glossary

Common therapy terms explained in simple language.

Understand the words your clinical psychologist uses during sessions — without medical jargon.

🧠

CBT

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy — reshapes unhelpful thoughts and behaviours through structured exercises.

💗

DBT

Dialectical Behavior Therapy — combines CBT with mindfulness and emotion-regulation skills.

👁

EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing — gold-standard trauma therapy using bilateral stimulation.

🌳

ACT

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy — builds psychological flexibility and values-based action.

🌸

MBCT

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy — combines meditation with CBT to prevent depressive relapse.

🌀

ERP

Exposure & Response Prevention — gold-standard treatment for OCD using graduated exposure.

🧘

Mindfulness

Non-judgmental awareness of present-moment thoughts and sensations — evidence-based for stress.

💬

Psychotherapy

Umbrella term for evidence-based talk therapy delivered by licensed psychologists or psychiatrists.

📋

RCI

Rehabilitation Council of India — the statutory body licensing clinical psychologists in India.

📖

ICD-11

International & American diagnostic systems used for clinical formulation.

Medical Disclaimer: This page has been clinically reviewed by Ms. Tanvi Jain, an RCI-licensed clinical psychologist. The information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment or emergency care.

Stay Healthy

Trusted mental-health, therapy & emotional-wellness guidance from RCI-licensed clinical psychologists. Explore evidence-based articles, self-help tools, recovery stories and preventive care reviewed by clinical professionals.

Browse Mental-Health Articles →

Online therapy · Verified RCI-licensed psychologists · Evidence-based care · Secure healthcare platform

Ready When You Are

Better mental health is just one therapy session away.

Connect with RCI-licensed clinical psychologists — paired with a psychiatrist when needed — for depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, ADHD, bipolar and personality concerns. Evidence-based CBT, DBT, EMDR & ACT, secure session vault, MHCA 2017 confidentiality and confidential care from home. Plans start at ₹899.

🧠 Book Therapy Session 💬 Book via WhatsApp 📞 Call +91 9899112690

🔒 MHCA 2017 Confidential · ✅ RCI-Licensed Clinical Psychologists · 📅 Same-day Sessions · 🧠 Evidence-Based CBT / DBT / EMDR · 🌐 Video, Voice & Chat

Consult RCI-Licensed Clinical Psychologist Online — Evidence-Based Therapy for Depression, Anxiety & Trauma.

Ms. Tanvi Jain, M.Phil Clinical Psychology

Click Your Condition — See Which Clinical Psychologist Can Help.

Your RCI-Registered Clinical Psychologist.

Real Change Takes More Than One Conversation.

Online clinical psychology, in 30 seconds.

Can I get evidence-based therapy with a clinical psychologist online?

One plan. Clinical Psychologist & Psychiatrist together.

Expert care for depression, anxiety, trauma, OCD, ADHD & more.

Depression

Anxiety Disorders

OCD

PTSD & Trauma

Bipolar Disorder

Adult ADHD

Personality Disorders

Eating Disorders

Sleep Disorders

Self-Harm / Suicidal Ideation

Workplace Burnout

Postpartum Depression

How a therapy session actually works inside.

A few things first-time clients often ask

Which evidence-based therapy is right for you?

Confidentiality & your legal rights as a patient.

Right to Confidentiality (Sec 23)

Right to Access Records (Sec 25)

Right to Refuse Treatment (Sec 18)

Right to Advance Directive (Sec 5)

Right Against Discrimination (Sec 21)

Right to Complain

Clinical Psychologist vs Counselling Psychologist vs Psychiatrist — who do you need?

Clinical Psychologist

Counselling Psychologist

Psychiatrist

Online therapy, urgent care, or emergency? Know in 30 seconds.

Manageable from home

Don't wait — book this week

Get help immediately

HopeQure vs other online therapy platforms.

One care team. One health record. Complete mental-health support.

Clinical Psychologist

Psychiatrist Review

Sleep, Nutrition & Movement

Caregiver Sessions

Therapy in the language you actually feel in.

What does the research actually show?

Real numbers from real therapy journeys.

What happens after you book — step by step.

Book in 60s

Intake form

First session

Weekly therapy

Progress review

Therapy for depression, anxiety, trauma, OCD & more

Validated screeners — instant results, no signup.

PHQ-9 · Depression Screener

GAD-7 · Anxiety Screener

Burnout Quick Check

Sleep Quality Check

What can you do while you wait for your session?

Box Breathing (4-4-4-4)

5-4-3-2-1 Grounding

Sleep Hygiene Basics

Worry Journal

Clinical Protocols & Standardised Care Pathways.

Major Depression Protocol

Anxiety Disorders Protocol

OCD & Trauma Protocol

Crisis & Escalation Protocol

Therapy that fits how you actually live.

Students

Working Professionals

Parents & Postpartum

Seniors

Real patients, real transformations.

How we ensure everything you read here is accurate.

Source Review

Clinical Review

Annual Refresh