Find Your Match

Click Your Condition — See Which Rehabilitation Psychologist Can Help.

Instantly matched to an RCI-registered rehabilitation psychologist trained for exactly your condition — and a counselling psychologist for ongoing adjustment work alongside.

🧭 Book a session Browse More Experts →

Still not sure? Get Matched →

Our Care Team

Your RCI-Registered Rehabilitation Psychologists.

Every psychologist is registered with the Rehabilitation Council of India under the RCI Act 1992, with specialised training in neurological injury, chronic pain or disability adjustment.

View All Experts →

Want sustainable change — not a 30-day quick fix?

Our combined plans pair an IDA-registered dietitian with a behavioural counsellor — because food choices are 30% nutrition, 70% mindset, habits and emotional eating.

TL;DR · Key Takeaways

Online rehabilitation psychology, in 30 seconds.

RCI-registered rehabilitation psychologists (Rehab Council of India Act 1992)
For TBI, stroke, SCI, chronic pain, amputation, chronic illness
Evidence-based CBT for pain, ACT, cognitive rehabilitation
Coordinated with your medical team (with consent)
Caregiver & family support included
Multidisciplinary — physiatrist, OT, PT, neurologist alignment
Plans start ₹900 — 8-session packages from ₹8,999
Most goals reached in 8–20 sessions

Quick Answer

What is a rehabilitation psychologist?

A rehabilitation psychologist is a specialist trained to help people adjust to acquired disability, chronic illness, traumatic brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, chronic pain and other life-changing health events.

In India, they must be registered with the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) under the RCI Act 1992. They work as part of a multidisciplinary medical team — alongside physiatrists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, neurologists and treating doctors.

Plans from ₹900

Rehab Care Plans · Recovery + Adjustment

One plan. Rehab Psychologist & Counselling Psychologist together.

The best rehabilitation outcomes come from coordinated recovery work plus ongoing adjustment support. New patients save 10% with code WELCOME10.

🧠 Need cognitive rehabilitation or pediatric rehab? Both are specialised tracks within our 8-session package — your psychologist will adjust the program to your specific condition. TBI/stroke cognitive rehabilitation typically extends to 12–24 sessions. Not sure which plan? Ask us →

Conditions We Support

Expert rehab psychology for TBI, stroke, SCI, chronic pain & more.

Our RCI-registered rehabilitation psychologists support the full range of physical, neurological & chronic illness conditions using evidence-based, multidisciplinary care.

🧠

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Cognitive rehabilitation, mood, identity adjustment after concussion or moderate-severe TBI.

🫀

Stroke Recovery

Post-stroke depression, cognitive rehab, language adjustment, return to daily life.

♿

Spinal Cord Injury

Adjustment to paralysis, sexuality & relationships, identity, vocational planning.

🦴

Chronic Pain

CBT for chronic pain, ACT for fibromyalgia, pacing, phantom limb pain protocols.

💊

Chronic Illness Adjustment

Cancer, MS, Parkinson's, kidney failure, COPD — emotional & lifestyle adjustment.

🩼

Amputation / Limb Loss

Phantom pain, body-image work, prosthesis adjustment, identity recovery.

💔

Cardiac Rehabilitation

Post-heart-attack anxiety, lifestyle change, stress & depression management.

👶

Pediatric Rehabilitation

Cerebral palsy, developmental delays, pediatric chronic illness, family support.

👴

Geriatric Rehab

Post-fall recovery, dementia adjustment, geriatric depression, falls prevention.

🚬

Substance Use Rehab

Motivational interviewing, relapse prevention, family recovery support.

💼

Vocational Rehab

Return-to-work planning, workplace accommodations, identity through work.

👨‍👩‍👧

Caregiver Support

Burnout prevention, caregiver burden, family adjustment, respite planning.

Consult Rehab Psychologist Online →

Multidisciplinary Care

How rehab psychology works alongside your medical team.

Rehabilitation psychology is inherently a team specialty. Your HopeQure rehab psychologist coordinates — with your written consent — with the doctors and therapists already treating you. Better coordination dramatically improves outcomes.

👥 Who we coordinate with

→ Physiatrist (PM&R doctor) — the rehab medicine specialist running your overall recovery plan
→ Neurologist — for TBI, stroke, MS, Parkinson's medical management
→ Orthopedic surgeon — post-surgery recovery, amputation, joint replacement
→ Pain physician — for chronic pain medication & intervention plans
→ Occupational therapist (OT) — daily-living retraining, hand function
→ Physiotherapist (PT) — movement, gait, strength rehabilitation
→ Speech-language pathologist — aphasia, swallowing, post-stroke language
→ Psychiatrist — for medication if depression or PTSD needs pharmacotherapy

📋 What we share (only with your consent)

✓ Goal alignment summary — what we're working on, no clinical detail
✓ Progress on WHODAS-12 / pain / mood scores over time
✓ Cognitive rehab outcomes — attention, memory, executive function
✓ Adherence flags — if exercise/medication adherence is dropping
✓ Caregiver burden signals — to flag respite needs
✓ Joint video conferences — when you want us all in one call
✓ Suicide-risk escalation — if you consent, your treating doctor is notified
✓ Never: session content, personal disclosures, family details without consent

Have a doctor referral letter? Bring it to your first session and we'll start coordination from day one. Don't have a doctor on your team yet? We can help find an appropriate physiatrist, neurologist or pain physician in your city. Book a first session from ₹900 →

Regulation & Standards

What does RCI-Registered actually mean?

In India, rehabilitation psychology is one of the few mental-health specialties that is statutorily regulated. Anyone calling themselves a rehabilitation psychologist must be registered with the Rehabilitation Council of India — by law.

📜 The Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI)

RCI is a statutory body of the Government of India, established under the Rehabilitation Council of India Act 1992. It regulates rehabilitation professionals — including rehabilitation psychologists, special educators, occupational therapists (for rehab), audiologists and speech-language pathologists.

✓Sets minimum education & training standards
✓Maintains the Central Rehabilitation Register (CRR)
✓Enforces a binding Code of Ethics & Conduct
✓Disciplines practitioners who breach standards

⚖ Why this matters for you

Practising rehabilitation psychology without RCI registration is a criminal offence under Sec 13 of the RCI Act, 1992. Unfortunately, many wellness apps and marketplaces use the title loosely.

✓RCI-registered = legally permitted to practise
✓Verifiable on the public RCI register (rehabcouncil.nic.in)
✓Mandatory continuing rehabilitation education (CRE)
✓Insurance & corporate-EAP claims usually require RCI

What to Expect

How a rehab psychology session actually works inside.

Many patients delay rehab psychology because they're already exhausted from medical appointments. Here's what makes these sessions different — and how they coordinate with the care you're already getting.

Your First Rehab Psychology Session (60 min)

Comprehensive · Medical-team aware · Goal-focused

1 First 5 minutes: Confidentiality, your medical history overview, what brings you here.
2 5–25 minutes: Condition history, current medical team, function level, pain or mood ratings.
3 25–40 minutes: WHODAS-12, pain inventory, mood screeners, cognitive screening if needed.
4 40–55 minutes: Formulation — what your psychologist sees, what therapy can do, your goals.
5 Last 5 minutes: Treatment plan, session count, medical-team consent form if you want it.

A Mid-Course CBT-for-Pain Session (60 min)

Skill-based · Pacing-aware · Practical

1 Check-in (5 min): Pain & mood ratings, this week's pacing, sleep, exercise adherence.
2 Homework review (10 min): What worked, what didn't — pacing log & thought records.
3 Set agenda (5 min): What you most want from today's session.
4 Active CBT work (30 min): Cognitive restructuring of pain catastrophising, pacing planning, activity scheduling.
5 Recap & homework (10 min): Summary, this week's experiment, next-session plan.

A few things first-time rehab patients often ask

🤔 "Will you give me painkillers?" No — we're psychologists, not physicians. We work alongside your pain physician.
😟 "What if I'm too foggy from meds?" We adapt sessions to your cognitive level. Mornings often work best.
📝 "Will I get homework?" Yes — small, doable exercises between sessions. Pacing logs, thought records.
⏱ "How fast will I feel better?" Most patients see improvements by session 4–6 (mood, function).
👨‍👩‍👧 "Can my caregiver join?" Absolutely — caregiver sessions are often essential.
🏥 "Will you talk to my doctor?" Only with your written consent — and we'll show you exactly what we share.

Rehab Psychology Approaches Compared

Which rehab psychology approach is right for your condition?

Modern rehabilitation psychology has several well-validated traditions. They differ by focus and condition. Your psychologist will recommend — here's a quick guide.

Evidence-based rehabilitation psychology approaches at HopeQure
Approach	Best for	How it works	Duration	Evidence
CBT for Chronic Pain Turk, Keefe protocols	Chronic pain, fibromyalgia, low-back pain, arthritis, post-surgical pain	Identifies pain catastrophising, builds pacing, activity scheduling, cognitive restructuring.	8–12 sessions	★★★★★ Cochrane 2024, NICE, IASP guidelines
ACT Acceptance & Commitment Therapy	Chronic illness, persistent pain, when "fixing" isn't possible	Acceptance, defusion, values clarification, committed action even with pain.	8–16 sessions	★★★★★ APA empirically supported
Cognitive Rehabilitation GMT, attention training, compensatory strategies	TBI, stroke, MS-related cognitive change	Attention training, memory strategies, executive function exercises, environmental modifications.	12–24 sessions	★★★★ ACRM cognitive rehab guidelines
Motivational Interviewing Miller & Rollnick	Substance use rehab, medication adherence, lifestyle change	Collaborative, evocative style — strengthens own motivation for change.	4–8 sessions	★★★★★ Cochrane & APA validated
Behavioral Medicine Health behavior change	Diabetes, cardiac, cancer adjustment, weight, sleep	Behavior change techniques applied to medical regimen — adherence, lifestyle, stress.	6–12 sessions	★★★★ SBM & APA Health Psychology
Family-Centred Rehab Pediatric & SCI standards	Pediatric rehab, family adjustment, caregiver burden	Family as the unit of care — caregivers learn skills, families adjust together.	8–16 sessions	★★★★ AACPDM, APA Div 22
MBSR / Mindfulness Kabat-Zinn 8-week program	Chronic pain, chronic illness stress, cancer survivorship	Body scan, sitting meditation, gentle movement, present-moment focus.	8-week structured	★★★★ Strong evidence in pain & cancer

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

Your Rights · MHCA 2017 + RCI Code

Confidentiality & your rights as a rehab psychology patient.

Rehabilitation psychology in India is doubly protected — by the Mental Healthcare Act 2017 AND the binding RCI Code of Conduct for Rehabilitation Professionals.

🔐

Right to Confidentiality (MHCA Sec 23)

Session content cannot be shared with anyone — including your treating doctors — without your specific written consent for each disclosure.

📜

RCI Code of Conduct

Every RCI-registered psychologist follows a binding professional Code — covering competence, dual relationships, informed consent and continuing education.

🤝

Family / Caregiver Consent

When caregivers participate, they sign their own consent. Patient information is not shared with family without explicit patient consent.

📋

Right to Access Records (Sec 25)

You can request a copy of your session notes anytime, provided within 48 hours. Useful for insurance, disability certification or treating doctors.

✋

Right to End Therapy

You can end therapy at any time. Therapy is voluntary, consent-based and never pressured. We don't lock you into packages.

🛡

DPDP Act 2023

All data encrypted, stored on Indian servers, never shared with advertisers, ISO 27001 audited.

When confidentiality may be broken (narrow legal exceptions):
Confidentiality is broken only in specific situations: (1) imminent risk of serious harm to self or others; (2) active abuse of a child or vulnerable adult — legally mandated reporting; (3) court-ordered disclosure. Apart from these, your sessions are sealed. Your psychologist will tell you upfront before any disclosure happens.

Honest Care-Level Guidance

When rehab psychology needs backup from clinical care.

Rehabilitation psychology is the right care for adjustment, pain coping, cognitive rehab and family work — but some patients need additional support from a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist running in parallel. Here's the honest guidance.

✓ Stay with rehab psychology alone if you have…

✓ Adjustment to a recent diagnosis or injury
✓ Chronic pain coping & pacing
✓ Cognitive rehabilitation (post-TBI, post-stroke)
✓ Mild-to-moderate post-illness depression or anxiety
✓ Caregiver burden or family adjustment
✓ Return-to-work or vocational rehabilitation

→ Add clinical psychology or psychiatry if you have…

→ Severe major depression after diagnosis — add clinical psychologist + consider psychiatrist for medication
→ PTSD after the injury (intrusive memories, nightmares, hypervigilance) — clinical psychologist for EMDR/CPT
→ Active substance use disorder — add psychiatrist + de-addiction specialist
→ Psychosis or severe cognitive disturbance — psychiatrist priority
→ Severe anxiety/panic disrupting recovery — clinical psychologist + psychiatrist evaluation

Our promise: Every rehab psychology intake includes brief PHQ-9 and GAD-7 screening. If your scores cross moderate thresholds — or you have suicidal thoughts — your rehab psychologist will proactively recommend adding a clinical psychologist and/or psychiatrist same week, at no additional referral fee. We don't keep patients in the wrong tier of care.

Track Selection Guide

Adjustment vs Cognitive Rehab vs Pain Management — which track fits me?

Three different rehab psychology pathways depending on your primary concern. Picking the right one shortens your journey and gets better outcomes.

Adjustment Counselling

When the diagnosis or injury itself is the shock

Recent SCI, amputation, cancer, MS, kidney failure
Identity, body-image, role-loss work
12–20 sessions typical
Approach: ACT, supportive psychotherapy, value-clarification

Cognitive Rehabilitation

When your brain function changed

TBI, stroke, MS-related cognitive change
Attention, memory, executive function
12–24 sessions typical
Approach: Goal Management Training, attention drills, compensatory strategies

Pain Management

When the pain doesn't go away

Chronic back / neck pain, fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain
Reduces catastrophising, builds pacing
8–12 sessions typical
Approach: CBT for pain, ACT, mindfulness, biofeedback principles

Not sure which track? Book a first session — your psychologist will recommend in session one — starts at ₹900 →

Severity Self-Check

Rehab psychology, clinical care, or emergency? Know in 30 seconds.

Most rehab concerns fit standard rehab psychology. But some need additional care first.

✓ Right Fit — Rehab Psychology

Rehab psychology is a great fit

You're adjusting to an illness or injury and want practical psychological tools alongside medical care.

Adjustment to TBI, stroke, SCI, amputation, cancer
Chronic pain coping & pacing
Cognitive rehabilitation for memory/attention
Mild-moderate post-illness depression / anxiety
Caregiver burnout prevention
Return-to-work planning

Book Rehab Psychology

→ Add — Clinical Psychology / Psychiatry

Add backup clinical care

Some situations need clinical or psychiatric work in parallel with rehab psychology.

Severe major depression after diagnosis
PTSD from the injury or surgery
Severe anxiety / panic disrupting recovery
Active substance use issues
Psychosis or severe cognitive disturbance
Need for medication management

See Clinical Psychology

✕ Emergency — Crisis

Please call right now

If you're in crisis, please reach a free 24×7 helpline:

Active suicidal thoughts
Plans to harm yourself
Severe untreated pain crisis
Caregiver thoughts of harm
Acute psychiatric symptoms

How We Compare

HopeQure vs other online psychology platforms.

Most platforms don't even offer rehabilitation psychology as a specialty. The ones that do often use the title loosely without verifying RCI registration. HopeQure is built around verified, regulated, multidisciplinary rehab psychology.

How *RCI-registered rehabilitation psychology* compares
Feature	⭐ HopeQure	Generic Marketplace	Hospital In-Person
RCI-registered psychologists (mandatory)	Yes — every rehab psychologist	Rarely verified	Yes — required
Multidisciplinary medical coordination	Yes — with consent	No	Yes — in person
Specialist tracks (TBI/SCI/Pain/Pediatric)	Yes — clear specialisations	Generalist therapists	Yes — but limited slots
Caregiver / family sessions included	Yes — same plan	Often extra cost	Sometimes
Same therapist across sessions	Yes — locked-in	Often rotates	Depends on roster
From-home convenience	Yes	Yes	Hospital visit
Average connect time	< 10 minutes	15–30 min	2–4 week wait
8-session structured package	Available + tracked	Pay per session	Hospital-dependent
Starting price (single session)	₹900	₹1,000–₹2,500	₹1,500–₹3,500
14+ Indian languages	Yes	5–8 languages	Limited
MHCA 2017 + RCI Code compliance	Documented & audited	Varies	Yes
DPDP Act 2023 & ISO 27001 secured	Yes	Most	Varies

Holistic Rehab Care

One care team. Many pathways to recovery & adjustment.

Your rehab psychologist coordinates with counselling, clinical and medical specialists — under one connected care plan.

🧠

Rehab Work

Rehab Psychologist

RCI-registered specialists
CBT-Pain / ACT / Cog Rehab
Multidisciplinary coordination
Same psychologist throughout

Book Rehab Psychologist →

💬

Adjustment

Counselling Psychologist

Certified M.A. / M.Phil counsellor
Ongoing adjustment work
Life-stage transitions
Coordinated with rehab

Book Adjustment Counsellor →

🩺

Clinical Care

Clinical Psychologist

Severe depression / anxiety
PTSD after injury (EMDR)
Free escalation referral
Same-week appointment

See Clinical Care →

💊

Medical

Psychiatrist

Medication management
Co-prescription with neurology
Sleep & pain medication review
Direct video consult

Psychiatrist Support →

Bharat-First Rehab Care

Therapy in the language you both understand & feel in.

Rehab psychology often surfaces emotions tied to mother-tongue, family and culture. Filter psychologists by language and never lose meaning.

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 rehab psychology research actually show?

Rehab psychology outcomes vary by condition and approach. These response rates come from large meta-analyses, Cochrane reviews and rehabilitation-specific RCTs — giving you a realistic picture of what therapy can achieve.

Condition	Recommended Approach	Response / Recovery	Typical Duration	Source
Chronic pain (back, fibromyalgia)	CBT for chronic pain	Small-to-moderate ↓ pain, function, mood	8–12 sessions	Cochrane 2024 meta-analysis
Chronic pain (acceptance-focused)	ACT for chronic pain	~55–65% improvement in function	8–16 sessions	JAMA 2024, NICE guidelines
Traumatic Brain Injury — cognitive	Cognitive rehabilitation	~60–70% improvement on attention/memory tasks	12–24 sessions	ACRM 2024, Cicerone meta-analyses
Stroke — post-stroke depression	CBT + behavioral activation	~60% remission of depression	10–16 sessions	Cochrane Stroke 2023
Spinal Cord Injury — adjustment	ACT + supportive psychotherapy	~65% report improved life satisfaction	12–20 sessions	APA Div 22 / Craig research 2024
Cancer adjustment	CBT + MBSR	~70% improvement in mood & coping	8–12 sessions	NICE cancer survivorship 2023
Cardiac rehabilitation	CBT + Health behavior change	~40% ↓ in re-admission (with psychology)	8–12 sessions	BACPR & Cochrane Heart 2023
Substance use disorder	Motivational interviewing	~50% improvement in adherence	4–8 sessions	Cochrane MI 2024
Caregiver burden	Family-centred rehab + CBT	~65% improvement in caregiver wellbeing	6–10 sessions	Alzheimer's Society / APA
Pediatric chronic illness	Family-centred rehab	~70% improvement in family functioning	10–16 sessions	AACPDM pediatric rehab 2024

These are population averages from controlled trials and meta-analyses. Individual results depend on severity, comorbidity, medical-team coordination and between-session work. Rehab psychology works best when sessions are weekly for the first 8 weeks then taper.

HopeQure Outcomes

Real numbers from real rehab psychology journeys.

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

71%

Patients report meaningful improvement by session 8

<10 min

Average time to connect with a psychologist

4.5/5

Verified rating (11,842 reviews)

91%

Session-attendance rate

Your Care Journey

What happens after you book — step by step.

From booking to ongoing rehab psychology, HopeQure delivers a smooth, confidential and structured journey — coordinated with your medical team.

1

📅

Book in 60s

Choose your psychologist, condition & language.

2

📝

Intake screening

Brief intake — WHODAS-12, pain & mood check.

3

🎥

First session

60 min · Comprehensive assessment, treatment plan, medical-team consent.

4

🧠

Weekly therapy

Structured CBT-Pain / ACT / Cog Rehab with same psychologist.

5

📈

Progress review

Re-measure WHODAS, pain, mood at sessions 4 & 8.

Continuity of Care: Your goals, plan and session summaries stay securely stored — your psychologist always has the full picture across every session.

Start Your Rehab Plan →

Common Rehab Concerns

Rehab psychology for adjustment, recovery, pain & caregiving

Reviewed by RCI-registered rehabilitation psychologists. Select your concern to get matched.

🧠 TBI 🫀 Stroke ♿ SCI 🦴 Chronic Pain 💊 Chronic Illness 🩼 Amputation 💔 Cardiac Rehab 👶 Pediatric 👴 Geriatric 🚬 Substance Use 💼 Vocational 👨‍👩‍👧 Caregiver

Free Rehab Psychology Screeners

Validated screeners — instant results, no signup.

Quick checks for disability, pain, and your mental health. These are screeners, not diagnoses — share your scores with your rehabilitation psychologist.

WHODAS-12 · Disability & Function

WHO Disability Assessment Schedule short form. Rate each (0 = None, 1 = Mild, 2 = Moderate, 3 = Severe, 4 = Extreme).

Standing for long periods

Household responsibilities

Learning a new task

Joining community activities

Emotional impact of condition

Concentrating for 10+ minutes

Walking a long distance

Washing your whole body

Getting dressed

Dealing with strangers

Maintaining friendships

Daily work / school

Score: 13 / 48

Mild disability — rehab psychology a good fit

Discuss your WHODAS score →

Brief Pain Inventory (BPI Short)

Rate your pain over the past 24 hours (0 = No pain → 10 = Worst pain imaginable).

Pain at its worst in last 24 hrs

Pain at its least

Pain on average

Pain right now

Pain interference with daily activities

Avg pain intensity: 3.5

Moderate — CBT for pain or ACT will help

Discuss your pain profile →

PHQ-9 · Depression Screen

Depression is common after illness/injury. Rate each (0–3) over the last 2 weeks.

Little interest or pleasure

Feeling down or hopeless

Sleep difficulties

Fatigue / low energy

Appetite changes

Feeling bad about yourself

Trouble concentrating

Slowed / restless

Thoughts of self-harm

Score: 10 / 27

Moderate — discuss with psychologist + consider clinical

Discuss with a psychologist →

GAD-7 · Anxiety Screen

Anxiety after diagnosis is common. Rate each (0–3) over the last 2 weeks.

Nervous, anxious, on edge

Can't stop worrying

Worrying about many things

Trouble relaxing

Restless, hard to sit still

Easily annoyed

Fearing something awful might happen

Score: 9 / 21

Mild–Moderate — rehab psychology will help

Discuss with a psychologist →

Self-Help · Evidence-Based

What can you do while you wait for your session?

Booking a rehab psychologist is a great first step. While you wait, these are simple, research-backed interim strategies from pain medicine, cognitive rehabilitation and adjustment-to-disability research — not a substitute for therapy.

⏱

Activity Pacing

Set a baseline of what you can do without flare
Do 70% of baseline daily — every day
Add 10% per week
Stops the boom-bust cycle of chronic pain

💤

Sleep Anchor

Fixed wake-up time, even on weekends
No screens 30 min before bed
Bedroom for sleep only
Sleep deprivation worsens pain & mood by ~20%

🌬

Box Breathing

Inhale 4 sec → hold 4 → exhale 4 → hold 4
Repeat 4–6 cycles
Calms autonomic nervous system & pain perception
Use during flare-ups or pre-procedure

👥

Reach Out (Don't Isolate)

One short call to someone you trust — daily
Join a condition-specific peer group
Social isolation worsens recovery & pain
Even 5 min of contact helps

Important: If pain is suddenly worse, or you have new neurological symptoms (new weakness, vision changes, severe headache), please contact your treating doctor or go to the nearest emergency department — psychological self-help is not a substitute for medical evaluation of new symptoms.

Clinical Protocols · Versioned

Our rehab psychology pathways — transparent & auditable.

Every rehab psychologist on HopeQure follows versioned, evidence-based clinical pathways aligned with ACRM, APA Division 22 and RCI standards. You can ask your psychologist which protocol applies to your case.

PROTO-TBI-01 · TBI Cognitive Rehabilitation

v3.2

ACRM-aligned cognitive rehabilitation pathway for mild-to-moderate TBI and post-concussion syndrome — attention, memory, executive function.

Sessions 1–2: Baseline cognitive screening, neuropsych referral if needed
Sessions 3–8: Attention training, Goal Management Training (Levine)
Sessions 9–14: Memory strategies, external aids, compensatory techniques
Sessions 15–20: Executive function, return-to-work prep
Session 21+: Booster + medical-team handover

PROTO-PAIN-02 · CBT for Chronic Pain

v2.6

Turk & Keefe CBT-for-chronic-pain protocol, adapted for Indian patients. Used for back pain, fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain.

Sessions 1–2: Pain education, pain-mood-function model, BPI baseline
Sessions 3–5: Pacing & activity scheduling
Sessions 6–8: Cognitive restructuring of catastrophising
Sessions 9–10: Relapse prevention & long-term self-management
Sessions 11–12: Booster, flare-up planning

PROTO-ADJ-03 · Adjustment to Acquired Disability

v2.4

ACT-based protocol drawing on Wright's value-change theory and Livneh & Antonak's adjustment-to-disability stages. For SCI, amputation, cancer, MS, stroke.

Sessions 1–3: Stage-of-adjustment assessment, validation
Sessions 4–8: Acceptance, defusion from "before" thoughts
Sessions 9–12: Values clarification, identity work
Sessions 13–18: Committed action — new roles, new meaning
Sessions 19–20: Maintenance & meaning consolidation

PROTO-CARE-04 · Caregiver Support & Burnout

v1.9

Structured 8-session caregiver support pathway — preventing burnout, managing grief, building boundaries, accessing respite.

Sessions 1–2: Caregiver burden assessment (ZBI), psychoeducation
Sessions 3–5: Behavioural activation, boundary setting
Sessions 6–7: Anticipatory grief, complicated emotions
Session 8: Respite planning, support-network audit
Booster: 3-month check-in

Who Comes to HopeQure

Real situations. Real patients and caregivers.

Composite personas representing the people we support every day. Names and details are fictionalised for confidentiality.

🧠 Mr. Anand R., 42 · Bangalore · TBI Survivor

Road accident, moderate TBI 14 months ago. Memory and attention issues affecting work. Frustrated and feeling "not himself".

His path: 20-session cognitive rehab + adjustment counselling · ₹5,999 + coordinated with neurologist.

🦴 Mrs. Lakshmi V., 56 · Chennai · Chronic Back Pain

8 years of chronic low back pain. Tried surgeries, injections, medication. Pain physician suggested CBT-for-pain.

Her path: 12-session CBT for chronic pain + ACT · ₹5,999 · Coordinated with pain physician.

♿ Mr. Vikram T., 29 · Mumbai · Recent SCI

Diving accident 6 months ago. T6 paraplegia. Adjusting to wheelchair life. Worried about career, relationships, identity.

His path: ACT adjustment counselling + vocational rehab · ₹1,899/2-session · Ongoing 6 months.

👨‍👩‍👧 Mrs. Padma S., 64 · Pune · Caregiver of Stroke Survivor

Husband had stroke 1 year ago. She's been the primary caregiver. Exhausted, irritable, guilty about feeling resentful.

Her path: 8-session caregiver support + family session · ₹5,999 · Plus husband's adjustment work.

Verified Testimonials

What patients and caregivers say about HopeQure rehab psychology.

Real stories from real clients. All testimonials are verified, consent-given, and identifying details changed.

★★★★★

"After my stroke I felt useless and depressed. 16 sessions with my rehab psychologist gave me my life back. She coordinated with my neurologist seamlessly. Cannot recommend enough."

SK

Mr. Suresh K.

Hyderabad · Stroke recovery · 16 sessions

★★★★★

"I had been told my fibromyalgia was 'in my head'. My HopeQure psychologist took it seriously — CBT for pain didn't fix me, but it gave me back my life. Pacing changed everything."

AP

Ms. Anjali P.

Delhi · Fibromyalgia · 12 sessions CBT-pain

★★★★★

"As a caregiver to my husband with Parkinson's, I was breaking. The 8-session caregiver support program saved me. I learned I'm not selfish for needing rest."

RM

Mrs. Rekha M.

Bangalore · Caregiver support

★★★★★

"My amputation broke me. ACT gave me a path forward. My rehab psychologist never minimised what I lost — she helped me find what was still possible."

MA

Mr. Anonymous

Kolkata · Below-knee amputation adjustment

★★★★★

"My son has cerebral palsy. The family-centred sessions helped us — not just him. We finally function as a family, not as caregivers and patient."

AP

Mr. Anonymous Parent

Jaipur · Pediatric rehab + family

★★★★★

"After cardiac surgery I was terrified of having another attack. The rehab psychologist worked with my cardiologist on a return-to-life plan. I'm walking 5km a day now."

RS

Mr. Rajinder S.

Chandigarh · Cardiac rehab psychology

Our Editorial & Clinical Review Process

Why this page is trustworthy — and how we keep it that way.

Every piece of information here has been written, reviewed and updated under a structured clinical-editorial process.

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1. Drafted

By HopeQure editorial team using ACRM, APA Division 22, RCI guidelines, NIMHANS & peer-reviewed rehab literature.

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2. Clinically Reviewed

By an RCI-registered rehab psychologist + a counselling psychologist co-reviewer.

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3. Source-Cited

All claims trace back to Cochrane reviews, ACRM guidelines, or peer-reviewed meta-analyses.

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4. Updated Quarterly

Reviewed every 90 days against new research, protocol updates & regulatory changes.

Review History

Version Timeline

May 31, 2026

Major update · Reviewed by Dr. Anil Kapoor, PsyD Rehab Psychology, RCI-Registered + Ms. Priya Bhatia, M.A. Counselling Psychology, M.Phil (co-reviewer) · Added Cochrane 2024 CBT-pain data & multidisciplinary medical-team section.

Feb 28, 2026

Refreshed cognitive rehab + ACT outcomes data, RCI Code of Conduct section.

Nov 15, 2025

Added caregiver support protocol & cardiac rehab psychology section.

Sept 01, 2024

Page first published.

Compliance & Trust

The standards we hold ourselves to.

HopeQure operates under multiple Indian and international compliance frameworks — rehab psychology specifically follows RCI, ACRM and APA Division 22 ethical standards.

📜 RCI Registered
Every rehab psychologist registered under RCI Act 1992 — verifiable.

⚖️ MHCA 2017
Mental Healthcare Act compliance — every session protected.

🩺 Telemedicine Guidelines
MoH&FW 2020 guidelines fully implemented.

🛡 DPDP Act 2023
Personal data protection compliance audited.

🔒 ISO 27001 + HIPAA-aligned
End-to-end encryption, Indian servers, third-party audited.

🌐 ACRM & APA Div 22
Where international certs offered, ACRM Board / APA aligned.

Quick Answers

Rehab psychology — your real questions, honestly answered.

Reviewed by Dr. Anil Kapoor, PsyD Rehabilitation Psychology, RCI-Registered. Last updated May 31, 2026.

📞 Have a question? Contact Us →

What is a rehabilitation psychologist and how do they help? +

A rehabilitation psychologist is a specialist trained to help people adjust to acquired disability, chronic illness, traumatic brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, chronic pain, amputation and other life-changing health events. In India, rehabilitation psychologists must be registered with the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) under the RCI Act 1992. They work as part of a multidisciplinary team — alongside physiatrists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, neurologists and treating doctors — to support psychological recovery, cognitive rehabilitation, pain management, family adjustment and return to meaningful activity.

Is rehabilitation psychology different from clinical or counselling psychology? +

Yes. Clinical psychologists diagnose and treat mental health disorders. Counselling psychologists support adjustment to life concerns. Rehabilitation psychologists specialise in the psychological aspects of recovery from physical disability, chronic illness, neurological injury and chronic pain. They have specific training in cognitive rehabilitation, behavioral medicine, CBT for chronic pain, and working within medical teams. In India they require RCI registration; in the US they often hold APA Division 22 specialty credentials or ACRM Board Certification.

What conditions does a rehabilitation psychologist treat? +

Rehabilitation psychologists work with: traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-concussion syndrome, stroke recovery, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, amputation and limb loss, chronic pain conditions, chronic illness adjustment (diabetes, cancer, heart disease, kidney failure), cardiac rehabilitation, pediatric developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy, geriatric rehabilitation, substance use recovery, vocational rehabilitation and caregiver burden.

How much does online rehabilitation psychology cost in India? +

At HopeQure, online rehabilitation psychology starts from ₹900 for a 60-minute first session. A combined Rehabilitation Psychologist + Psychiatrist plan is ₹2199, and a 3-session structured Rehab + Counselling + Psychiatrist plan is ₹3099. All include digital case notes, between-session worksheets, family caregiver guidance and a secure session vault. New patients save 25% with code WELCOME10.

Are HopeQure rehabilitation psychologists RCI-registered? +

Yes. Every rehabilitation psychologist on HopeQure holds Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) registration — the statutory body that regulates rehabilitation professionals in India under the RCI Act 1992. Most also hold accredited postgraduate qualifications (M.Phil Clinical Psychology with rehabilitation specialisation, or PsyD/PhD Rehabilitation Psychology), and many hold international certifications such as APA Division 22 specialty or ACRM Board Certification.

Can online rehabilitation psychology work for serious physical injuries like TBI or SCI? +

Yes. A 2023 Lancet Digital Health systematic review and several rehabilitation-specific telehealth meta-analyses (Cochrane 2024) show online rehabilitation psychology is as effective as in-person for cognitive rehabilitation, CBT for chronic pain, adjustment counselling and caregiver support. Online sessions are especially valuable when mobility is limited, when patients live in remote areas, or when frequent hospital visits are exhausting. Cognitive rehabilitation exercises, mood tracking and pain management protocols all adapt well to a digital format.

How does a rehabilitation psychologist work with my medical team? +

Rehabilitation psychology is inherently multidisciplinary. Your HopeQure rehabilitation psychologist will, with your consent, coordinate with your physiatrist (PM&R doctor), neurologist, orthopedic surgeon, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, speech-language pathologist or other treating doctors. This includes sharing progress notes (only with your written permission), aligning psychological goals with medical recovery milestones, and joining family-conference video calls when needed. Coordination dramatically improves outcomes.

How many rehabilitation psychology sessions will I need? +

Most rehabilitation psychology goals need 8–20 sessions. Adjustment to acquired disability typically takes 12–20 sessions over 3–6 months. CBT for chronic pain shows benefit in 8–12 sessions. Cognitive rehabilitation for TBI or stroke usually runs 12–24 sessions. Caregiver support is often shorter at 6–10 sessions. Your psychologist will create a personalised plan in session one based on your condition, severity and goals.

Can rehabilitation psychology help with chronic pain? +

Yes. CBT for chronic pain is one of the most evidence-based interventions in pain medicine — recommended by NICE, the American Pain Society and the Indian Society for Study of Pain. A 2024 Cochrane meta-analysis shows CBT for chronic pain delivers small-to-moderate improvements in pain intensity, function and mood. ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy) has equally strong evidence. Rehabilitation psychologists are specifically trained in these protocols and work alongside pain physicians, not in place of them.

Is rehabilitation psychology confidential? +

Yes. All sessions are protected under the Mental Healthcare Act 2017 and RCI's Code of Conduct for Rehabilitation Professionals. 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. Medical-team coordination requires your written consent each time. The narrow legal exceptions are imminent risk of serious harm, court-ordered disclosure, or evidence of child or vulnerable-adult abuse.

Still have questions?

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For Organisations

Rehab psychology as part of your EAP.

HR teams now recognise that injured or chronically ill employees need specialist rehab psychology to return to work successfully. HopeQure for Organisations adds rehab psychology, return-to-work counselling and caregiver support to your EAP.

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Return-to-Work Programs

Subsidised rehab psychology for employees returning after injury, illness or extended leave.

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Chronic Illness Support

Adjustment counselling for employees with diabetes, cancer, MS, cardiac conditions.

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Caregiver Benefit

Caregiver support sessions for employees caring for ill or disabled family members.

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Quick Onboarding

Live in 7 days. SSO, mobile app, all Indian languages, anonymous dashboards.

500+ organisations use HopeQure for employee mental health & rehab benefits. · Talk to our corporate team →

Related Specialists

Other specialists for recovery & adjustment.

Rehab psychology is one piece of a larger puzzle. We coordinate handovers seamlessly.

🧠 Clinical Psychologist 💬 Counselling Psychologist 💊 Psychiatrist 🦵 Physiotherapist 🦴 Orthopedic Specialist 🩸 Diabetologist 🫘 Nephrologist 😔 Depression Counselling 😰 Anxiety Counselling 🌪 PTSD Therapy 💑 Relationship Counselling 🥗 Dietitian

Glossary · Rehab Psychology Terms

What your rehab psychologist actually means.

A simple glossary of rehab psychology terms you'll hear in session or in your medical reports.

RCI

Rehabilitation Council of India — statutory body that regulates rehabilitation professionals (Act 1992).

CBT for Chronic Pain

Cognitive-behavioral therapy adapted for pain — targets pain catastrophising, pacing, activity scheduling.

ACT

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy — accept what can't be changed, commit to value-driven action.

Pacing

Doing activity at consistent moderate level, regardless of pain — breaks boom-bust cycle.

Catastrophising

Magnifying pain or threat — "this will never end" — predictor of worse pain outcomes.

Cognitive Rehabilitation

Structured retraining of attention, memory, executive function after TBI or stroke.

GMT

Goal Management Training — Levine's protocol for executive-function impairment after TBI/stroke.

Compensatory Strategies

External aids (notebooks, alarms, calendars) that work around cognitive deficits.

PM&R

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation — the medical specialty led by physiatrists.

WHODAS-12

WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 12-item — measures function across 6 domains.

BPI

Brief Pain Inventory — short-form questionnaire used in pain medicine globally.

MBSR

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction — Kabat-Zinn's 8-week structured program.

References & Standards

Our sources — everything we said, where it came from.

All clinical claims on this page trace back to specific guidelines, RCTs, or peer-reviewed meta-analyses. Last verified May 31, 2026.

🇮🇳 Indian Regulations

RCI Act 1992 — Rehabilitation Council of India statutory registration
RCI Code of Conduct for rehabilitation professionals
Mental Healthcare Act 2017 — confidentiality, records, end therapy
Telemedicine Practice Guidelines 2020 — MoH&FW, BoG-MCI
Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 — encryption, Indian-server storage
Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 (RPwD) — disability rights framework

🌐 International Standards

APA Division 22 — Rehabilitation Psychology guidelines
ACRM — American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine
NICE Chronic Pain Guidelines — UK NICE NG193, 2021
IASP — International Association for the Study of Pain standards
WHO ICF — International Classification of Functioning, Disability & Health
BACPR — British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehab

📚 Key Research

Cochrane 2024 — CBT for chronic pain meta-analysis
Cicerone et al. — Cognitive rehabilitation meta-analyses (ACRM)
Lancet Digital Health 2023 — online vs in-person psychotherapy
JAMA 2024 — ACT for chronic pain RCT
Craig 2024 — SCI psychological adjustment longitudinal
Cochrane Stroke 2023 — Post-stroke depression interventions
Levine et al. — Goal Management Training validation studies

Daily Habits

Small daily habits — that protect your recovery.

Therapy plus daily habits = sustainable recovery. Backed by research in chronic-illness self-management and behavioral medicine.

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Consistent Wake Time

Same wake-up time daily anchors circadian rhythm — boosts mood & reduces pain.

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Daily Movement

Even 10 minutes of gentle movement daily — pacing principles apply.

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Anti-Inflammatory Eating

Diet rich in vegetables, fish, whole grains supports recovery & reduces chronic inflammation.

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Social Connection

One meaningful conversation daily — social isolation worsens recovery outcomes by ~30%.

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Track Patterns

Daily pain & mood log — helps you and your psychologist see patterns.

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5-Min Mindfulness

Brief daily mindfulness reduces pain perception & rumination.

Online Rehabilitation Psychologist — RCI-Registered for TBI, Stroke, Chronic Pain & Disability Adjustment.

Click Your Condition — See Which Rehabilitation Psychologist Can Help.

Your RCI-Registered Rehabilitation Psychologists.

Want sustainable change — not a 30-day quick fix?

Online rehabilitation psychology, in 30 seconds.

What is a rehabilitation psychologist?

One plan. Rehab Psychologist & Counselling Psychologist together.

Expert rehab psychology for TBI, stroke, SCI, chronic pain & more.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Stroke Recovery

Spinal Cord Injury

Chronic Pain

Chronic Illness Adjustment

Amputation / Limb Loss

Cardiac Rehabilitation

Pediatric Rehabilitation

Geriatric Rehab

Substance Use Rehab

Vocational Rehab

Caregiver Support

How rehab psychology works alongside your medical team.

What does RCI-Registered actually mean?

How a rehab psychology session actually works inside.

A few things first-time rehab patients often ask

Which rehab psychology approach is right for your condition?

Confidentiality & your rights as a rehab psychology patient.

Right to Confidentiality (MHCA Sec 23)

RCI Code of Conduct

Family / Caregiver Consent

Right to Access Records (Sec 25)

Right to End Therapy

DPDP Act 2023

When rehab psychology needs backup from clinical care.

Adjustment vs Cognitive Rehab vs Pain Management — which track fits me?

Adjustment Counselling

Cognitive Rehabilitation

Pain Management

Rehab psychology, clinical care, or emergency? Know in 30 seconds.

Rehab psychology is a great fit

Add backup clinical care

Please call right now

HopeQure vs other online psychology platforms.

One care team. Many pathways to recovery & adjustment.

Rehab Psychologist

Counselling Psychologist

Clinical Psychologist

Psychiatrist

Therapy in the language you both understand & feel in.

What does rehab psychology research actually show?

Real numbers from real rehab psychology journeys.

What happens after you book — step by step.

Book in 60s

Intake screening

First session

Weekly therapy

Progress review

Rehab psychology for adjustment, recovery, pain & caregiving

Validated screeners — instant results, no signup.

WHODAS-12 · Disability & Function

Brief Pain Inventory (BPI Short)

PHQ-9 · Depression Screen

GAD-7 · Anxiety Screen

What can you do while you wait for your session?

Activity Pacing

Sleep Anchor

Box Breathing

Reach Out (Don't Isolate)

Our rehab psychology pathways — transparent & auditable.

PROTO-TBI-01 · TBI Cognitive Rehabilitation

PROTO-PAIN-02 · CBT for Chronic Pain

PROTO-ADJ-03 · Adjustment to Acquired Disability

PROTO-CARE-04 · Caregiver Support & Burnout

Real situations. Real patients and caregivers.

🧠 Mr. Anand R., 42 · Bangalore · TBI Survivor

🦴 Mrs. Lakshmi V., 56 · Chennai · Chronic Back Pain

♿ Mr. Vikram T., 29 · Mumbai · Recent SCI

👨‍👩‍👧 Mrs. Padma S., 64 · Pune · Caregiver of Stroke Survivor

What patients and caregivers say about HopeQure rehab psychology.

Why this page is trustworthy — and how we keep it that way.

1. Drafted