Start with an RCI-licensed Clinical Psychologist trained in EMDR, Trauma-focused CBT, Prolonged Exposure or Cognitive Processing Therapy. Add an NMC-registered Psychiatrist for SSRI medication (sertraline / paroxetine — both FDA-approved for PTSD) only if clinically indicated. PCL-5 assessed, safety screen at intake. Stabilisation phase before trauma processing — your safety leads the pace.
Aggregate rating 4.5 / 5 from 7,829 verified trauma patients · Anonymous booking available

Senior psychiatrist specialising in trauma, depression and anxiety care. Medical reviewer for HopeQure's PTSD counselling content. Trained in integrated trauma-focused therapy (EMDR / TF-CBT) combined with judicious SSRI pharmacotherapy. Special interest in Complex PTSD, survivors of sexual or childhood abuse, and trauma-informed medication management.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Content is reviewed by NMC-registered psychiatrists and reflects evidence-based clinical guidelines (DSM-5-TR, ICD-11, NICE NG116, ISTSS Practice Guidelines, APA PTSD Practice Guideline, VA/DoD CPG, WHO mhGAP). Important about trauma therapy: Trauma processing can briefly intensify symptoms — this is normal and managed through a stabilisation-first phase-based approach. If you are experiencing a flashback right now: ground yourself with the 5-4-3-2-1 sensory method · cold water on hands or face · orient to the present ("I am safe NOW, today is {current date}, I am {your location}") · breathing 4 in / 7 hold / 8 out.
Find Your Match in 30 Seconds
Our Psychiatry Specialists (Combined Plan)
When SSRI or prazosin medication is part of your plan, you'll see one of these NMC-verified psychiatrists alongside your Trauma Psychologist. Every doctor is verifiable on the National Medical Commission registry. View Trauma Psychologists below ↓
HopeQure delivers online PTSD counselling led by RCI-licensed Clinical Psychologists trained in EMDR, TF-CBT, Prolonged Exposure, and Cognitive Processing Therapy, with optional NMC-registered psychiatrist support for SSRI medication (sertraline, paroxetine — both FDA-approved for PTSD) or prazosin for trauma nightmares. Phase-based stabilisation-first protocol for all patients. From ₹999- 1800 single session up to 25-session intensive packs via the configurator. We treat single-incident PTSD, Complex PTSD, sexual assault trauma, childhood abuse, combat/first-responder PTSD, medical/ICU PTSD, and birth trauma. Mental Healthcare Act 2017 + DPDP Act 2023 compliant. Anonymous booking available.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), developed by Francine Shapiro in 1989, is a structured 8-phase therapy that helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories using bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or audio tones). Meta-analyses show 77-90% of PTSD patients no longer meet diagnostic criteria after 8-12 EMDR sessions (Bisson 2013 Cochrane Review). It is endorsed as first-line by the WHO, NICE, APA, ISTSS, and the US Department of Veterans Affairs. EMDR is often faster than talk-based CBT for single-incident trauma and can be delivered effectively online with bilateral audio tones. At HopeQure, EMDR is the most-requested modality. Two of our psychologists.
Our Trauma Psychologists (Therapy)
Your primary therapist for EMDR, Trauma-focused CBT, Prolonged Exposure, and CPT. Psychologists marked PTSD-listed have explicit trauma-recovery training on their HopeQure profiles. The rest bring related trauma-adjacent training (DBT for Complex PTSD, attachment work, grief, multilingual support for displacement trauma). All hold active Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) registration. All Clinical → · All Counselling →
How to Choose Your Path
PTSD treatment intensity is matched to severity (PCL-5) plus trauma history and dissociation. NICE NG116 + APA Practice Guideline 2017 + ISTSS guide selection. Your first session will refine with formal PCL-5 + dissociation screen.
Every Plan Includes
Trauma-informed, risk-free, transparent. These are baked into every plan from a single session to a 25-session package.
Trauma work needs deep trust. If your first therapist doesn't feel right, we'll re-match at no cost — within 2 sessions. Female therapist on request always honoured.
Reschedule up to 24 hours before — no fee. Multi-pack sessions valid for 12 months.
Every session is private and encrypted. Your personal information and therapy discussions remain strictly confidential.
Trauma work has ebbs and flows. Pause a multi-pack for up to 60 days without losing sessions — common around anniversaries or triggering events.
Your therapist creates a structured recovery plan with personalised goals, coping strategies, and practical exercises to support progress between sessions.
PCL-5 tracked at sessions 1, 4, 8, 12. See objective improvement in your symptoms over time on your progress dashboard.
For survivors of trauma, talking to a stranger about your story can feel impossible. Start with a free 15-min call — share only what you're ready to share. A trauma-trained care coordinator will help match you with the right therapist. No pressure, no obligation.
5-4-3-2-1 Grounding: Notice 5 things you can see · 4 things you can touch · 3 things you can hear · 2 things you can smell · 1 thing you can taste. Speak them out loud if possible. This pulls you back to the present.
Our Honest Take on Evidence
PTSD has one of the most rigorously studied evidence bases in psychiatry. APA Practice Guideline 2017 + NICE NG116 + ISTSS Guidelines + VA/DoD CPG + Cochrane converge on four first-line therapies. Here's the honest picture.
Honest Safety Guidance
For most trauma survivors, online care is excellent. But these situations need different help first.
Trauma-Focused Approaches
Modern PTSD therapy has four "Strongly Recommended" modalities (APA 2017). Your therapist will recommend based on your trauma type and preferences.
Trauma-focused CBT. Identifies and changes trauma-related thought patterns. Includes psychoeducation, relaxation, cognitive restructuring, trauma narrative.
Resick & Schnicke protocol. 12 manualised sessions. Identifies "stuck points" — distorted beliefs about safety, trust, control, esteem, intimacy.
Foa & Rothbaum. Imaginal exposure (re-telling trauma narrative repeatedly) + in vivo exposure (gradually facing avoided situations).
Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing (Shapiro). 8-phase protocol with bilateral stimulation. Often faster than verbal therapies.
For multiple/repeated traumas. Constructs life narrative incorporating traumatic events into life timeline. Used widely for refugees.
Sertraline & Paroxetine FDA-approved. Prazosin specifically for trauma nightmares. Benzodiazepines AVOIDED — they worsen PTSD outcomes.
What to Expect
A proper first PTSD consultation is 60 minutes and goes at YOUR pace. You won't be pushed to share details before you're ready.
Confidentiality & Trust
Every anxiety session is protected by Indian and international compliance standards. Anonymous booking is available — you may share only what you choose.
International information security standard for clinical records.
Digital Personal Data Protection compliant. Indian servers only.
Section 23 right to confidentiality protected.
US healthcare data standards observed for clinical encounters.
3 Distinct Anxiety Subspecialty Tracks
Not all anxiety is the same. Our care team includes sub-specialists for each major subtype, with track-specific protocols.
For Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder — persistent worry across multiple domains for ≥6 months. CBT-focused with applied relaxation.
For recurrent panic attacks, panic disorder with/without agoraphobia. Interoceptive exposure + medical rule-out + CBT.
For OCD, contamination fears, intrusive thoughts, hoarding, specific phobias. Exposure & Response Prevention gold-standard.
How Triage Works
Plan A or B via this page. Or WhatsApp our coordinator to discuss your subtype.
PC-PTSD-5 + panic + Y-BOCS screen sent via WhatsApp. Takes 4-6 minutes.
Care coordinator matches you with the right sub-specialist (GAD/panic/OCD).
45-60 min video. Formal PCL-5 + history + care plan + first techniques.
How HopeQure Compares
Transparent comparison — including where in-person hospital care is the better choice.
| HopeQure Online | Local Psychiatrist (in-person) | Hospital Anxiety Clinic | Generic Telehealth Apps | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wait time | <24 hours | 1-4 weeks typical | 2-8 weeks NIMHANS | 1-3 days |
| Cost (first session) | ₹1,200 Plan A | ₹1500-3000 | OPD ₹50-500 | ₹1500-2500 |
| Therapy + Medication integrated | ✓ Plan B | Limited (psychiatrist alone) | ✓ Multi-disciplinary | Rarely |
| RCI / NMC verified | ✓ All clinicians | Yes | Yes | Often unclear |
| PCL-5 + tracking | ✓ Every patient | Inconsistent | Yes | Inconsistent |
| ERP for OCD available | ✓ Dr. Vipul, Dr. Preeti | Rare locally | ✓ Tertiary centres | No |
| Anonymous booking | ✓ Available | No | No | Limited |
| Severe agoraphobia / TRD | Refer + collaborative care | Possible | ✓ Best for severe | No |
Complementary Holistic Care
These are complements, not replacements for evidence-based therapy or medication. Discuss with your clinician before starting.
Modest evidence for GAD. Alternate nostril breathing + slow-pace asana useful adjunct.
→ Yoga expertsReduce caffeine, alcohol. Omega-3 modest evidence. Mediterranean pattern best.
→ Dietitian150 min/week moderate-intensity. Aerobic exercise as effective as low-dose SSRI for mild GAD.
→ Fitness coachCBT-I for sleep-anxiety cycle. Sleep debt amplifies anxiety dramatically.
→ Sleep disordersTherapy in Your Language
Discussing anxiety in your mother tongue is often more effective. Our team supports the following.
What Outcomes To Expect
From APA 2017 Practice Guideline meta-analyses + NICE NG116 + ISTSS Guidelines + Bisson et al. Cochrane reviews. PTSD has some of the largest effect sizes in mental health treatment.
| Outcome | Therapy Alone (Plan A) | Medication Alone | Combined (Plan B/D) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Significant PCL-5 reduction (≥10 points) | 60-70% (TF-CBT/EMDR) | 50-55% (SSRI) | 65-75% |
| Loss of PTSD diagnosis | 40-55% (PE/CPT) | 25-30% | 50-60% |
| Nightmare reduction | 50-60% (TF-CBT) | 60-70% (prazosin) | 70-80% |
| Flashback frequency reduction | 55-65% (EMDR) | 40-50% | 65-75% |
| Time to noticeable improvement | 4-8 weeks | 2-6 weeks (SSRI) | 3-6 weeks |
| Sustained remission at 12 months | 50-60% | 30-40% (off-medication) | 55-65% |
Sources: APA Practice Guideline for PTSD 2017 · NICE NG116 (2018) · ISTSS Treatment Guidelines · Bisson et al. Cochrane review on psychological therapies · Watts et al. SSRI meta-analysis · Foa et al. PE protocol outcomes · Shapiro EMDR outcomes. Complex PTSD outcomes typically 10-15% lower; longer treatment durations.
Numbers from Our Clinic
Your Care Journey
PTSD recovery follows a phased approach — safety and stabilisation before trauma processing. Pushing past this order can cause harm. Your therapist will move at YOUR pace.
PCL-5 assessment, psychoeducation about trauma response, grounding skills (5-4-3-2-1), safe place imagery, sleep hygiene, window of tolerance teaching.
Choice of TF-CBT, CPT, PE or EMDR begins. Cognitive restructuring of trauma-related beliefs. Initial trauma narrative or exposure. SSRI titration if prescribed.
Repeated trauma processing sessions. Working through "stuck points" (CPT). In-vivo exposure to avoided situations. Mid-treatment PCL-5 check at week 8.
Integration of trauma into life narrative. Reconnection with self, others, future. Relapse prevention plan. Booster sessions monthly. SSRI continuation 6-12+ months.
PTSD, In All Its Forms
Every trauma is unique. Our specialists know the clinical nuances of each type. Skip categories that aren't relevant to you.
Between Sessions — Trauma-Safe Skills
These are stabilisation skills — not replacements for trauma processing. Use them between sessions, during flashbacks, or when triggered. Build the habit BEFORE you need them.
In a flashback or dissociating? Name 5 things you see, 4 you touch, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 you taste. Speak them out loud. This pulls you out of the trauma memory into the present moment. Most powerful for active flashbacks.
Build a detailed mental "safe place" — real or imagined. What do you see, hear, smell, feel? Practice visiting it daily so it's accessible when triggered. EMDR-derived technique. Pair with a calming word.
Notice when you're in your "window" (calm + present) vs hyperaroused (panic, anger) vs hypoaroused (numb, frozen). Use grounding when high, gentle activation when low. Trauma processing only happens IN the window.
Cross arms over chest, hands on opposite shoulders. Tap alternately, left-right, like butterfly wings. Slow, rhythmic. This bilateral self-stimulation (EMDR-derived) calms the trauma response and works in public.
Imagine a sealed container — vault, chest, locked box. Mentally "put" intrusive memories or feelings inside between sessions. You're not avoiding — you're choosing WHEN to process. Critical for sleep.
Inhale 4 · Hold 4 · Exhale 4 · Hold 4. Repeat 4 cycles. Used by US Navy SEALs to regulate hyperarousal. Activates parasympathetic system. Best for somatic anxiety, not active flashbacks.
Decode Your Symptoms
12 commonly experienced symptoms decoded against DSM-5-TR PTSD Criteria B (intrusion), C (avoidance), D (negative cognitions/mood), and E (arousal/reactivity).
| If you experience… | DSM-5-TR maps to… | Severity suggests… | Recommended Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recurrent unwanted memories of the event | Criterion B1 (Intrusion) | Core PTSD symptom | Plan A · TF-CBT or EMDR |
| Nightmares about the trauma | Criterion B2 (Intrusion) | Add Prazosin if severe | Plan B with Psychiatrist |
| Flashbacks — feeling event happens again | Criterion B3 (Intrusion) | Severe — needs stabilisation first | Plan B/D phased approach |
| Intense distress at trauma reminders | Criterion B4 (Intrusion) | Common, treatable | Plan A · CPT or EMDR |
| Physical reactions (sweating, palpitations) at reminders | Criterion B5 (Intrusion) | Hyperarousal driven | Plan A + grounding skills |
| Avoiding thoughts, feelings, memories of trauma | Criterion C1 (Avoidance) | Maintains PTSD long-term | Plan A · Prolonged Exposure |
| Avoiding people, places, situations reminding of event | Criterion C2 (Avoidance) | Functional impact | Plan A · in-vivo exposure |
| Persistent negative beliefs about self/world ("I am broken") | Criterion D2 (Negative cognitions) | Cognitive processing helps | Plan A · CPT specifically |
| Feeling detached / numb / disconnected | Criterion D6 (Negative mood) | Dissociative features | Plan B + stabilisation |
| Hyper-vigilance, scanning for danger constantly | Criterion E3 (Arousal) | Sympathetic overload | Plan B with SSRI |
| Exaggerated startle response | Criterion E4 (Arousal) | Common, manageable | Plan A + applied relaxation |
| Sleep disturbance, difficulty staying asleep | Criterion E6 (Arousal) | Cycle perpetuating | Plan B with sleep hygiene + medication |
5-Question Quick Screen
A clinically-validated 5-item screen used by primary care globally (Prins et al. 2016). Not a diagnosis. Answer based on the past month.
Source: Prins, Bovin, Smolenski et al. (2016). PC-PTSD-5 for Primary Care. Validated against CAPS-5 (sensitivity 95%, specificity 85% at cutoff ≥3).
⚠️ This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. A score ≥3 indicates probable PTSD and warrants formal assessment with PCL-5 plus clinical interview, which your psychologist or psychiatrist will conduct in the first session. The diagnosis also requires confirmed exposure to a Criterion A trauma per DSM-5-TR.
Our Clinical Protocols
Standardised protocols ensure consistency across clinicians. Each is reviewed annually against latest evidence (APA, NICE, ISTSS, VA/DoD).
Real-World Trauma Journeys
Composite examples showing how decisions get made. Names and details changed for privacy. Outcomes representative of our cohort. Skip if you're not ready to read about trauma recovery.
Editorial & Medical Review
Every clinical claim on this page is cross-checked against current published guidelines and reviewed by NMC-registered psychiatrists before publication.
In-house medical writers with backgrounds in clinical psychology + science communication. Every page is drafted from peer-reviewed sources (PubMed, Cochrane, NICE, NIMHANS) and updated for current Indian context.
10+ years NMC-registered. Specialty in PTSD-spectrum, OCD-spectrum and panic disorder. Reviews every revision for clinical accuracy, evidence currency, safety messaging. View profile →
Quick Answers
Detailed FAQ
PTSD counselling is evidence-based psychotherapy specifically focused on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety, specific phobia, health anxiety, OCD-spectrum and performance anxiety. Modern approaches include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for anxiety, Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD and phobia, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). For moderate-to-severe anxiety, therapy is often combined with SSRI or SNRI medication. At HopeQure, the first session includes PCL-5 severity assessment, panic and phobia screening, and a personalised care plan. Most patients see meaningful improvement in 8-16 weeks.
Yes. Our care team includes NMC-registered MD Psychiatrists for medication and RCI-licensed Clinical & Counselling Psychologists (M.Phil. / PhD) trained in evidence-based therapies. Every psychiatrist holds active NMC registration verifiable on the National Medical Commission registry. Every psychologist holds active RCI (Rehabilitation Council of India) registration. Many have additional certification in CBT, EMDR, CPT, ACT, and other evidence-based trauma therapies.
At HopeQure, online PTSD counselling starts from ₹1,800 for Plan A — a 50–60 minute Clinical Psychologist-only session with CBT, ACT, or exposure-based therapy. Plan B (Clinical Psychologist + Psychiatrist Combined, 2 sessions) starts from ₹3,000. Plan C is a 15–30 minute Psychiatrist-only session starting from ₹1,200. New patients save 25% on their first session with the code WELCOME10 .
Yes — with one of the strongest evidence bases in psychiatry. CBT for anxiety has 40+ years of RCT support, recommended as first-line by NICE, APA and NIMHANS. Hofmann et al. meta-analyses show 50-60% response rates for CBT in PTSD-spectrum. Exposure-based therapy is gold standard for specific phobia, social anxiety and OCD with response rates of 60-80%. SSRIs (sertraline, escitalopram, paroxetine) show ~55% response, ~40% remission. Combined therapy + medication outperforms either alone for moderate-severe presentations. Online delivery is comparable to in-person care per multiple 2023-2024 meta-analyses.
It depends on severity. Mild anxiety (PCL-5 5-9) often responds well to Plan A — therapy alone with a Clinical Psychologist, particularly CBT or applied relaxation. Moderate anxiety (PCL-5 10-14) responds to therapy alone OR medication, with combined Plan B offering modest additional benefit. Moderate-severe (PCL-5 15-21) typically needs Plan B / D combined for best outcomes. Panic disorder, severe social anxiety and OCD often benefit from combined treatment. Benzodiazepines are generally avoided long-term due to dependence risk — SSRIs/SNRIs are first-line. Informed consent is foundational — you always have a choice.
Panic attacks are discrete episodes of intense fear with at least 4 specific physical symptoms (palpitations, sweating, shaking, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, dizziness, derealisation, fear of dying or losing control), peaking within 10 minutes. They can occur in panic disorder, GAD, social anxiety, PTSD, or specific phobia. "Anxiety attacks" is not a formal DSM-5 diagnosis but is commonly used to describe sudden severe anxiety that may not meet full panic-attack criteria. Both are highly treatable with CBT for panic, interoceptive exposure, and short-term SSRI treatment if needed.
ERP is the gold-standard psychotherapy for OCD and a powerful tool for phobia, social anxiety and panic disorder. It works by gradually exposing the patient to feared situations, thoughts or sensations (in real life or imagination) while preventing the compulsive avoidance or safety behaviour. Over repeated sessions, the brain learns the feared outcome doesn't occur and anxiety subsides naturally — a process called habituation and inhibitory learning. NICE and APA both recommend ERP as first-line for OCD. Typical course: 14-20 sessions. Most patients see 60-80% symptom reduction.
Yes. Health anxiety (formally Illness Anxiety Disorder in DSM-5-TR) is highly treatable with cognitive therapy and behavioural strategies including reassurance-seeking reduction, checking behaviour modification, and attention training. Treatment focuses on cognitive restructuring around health beliefs, gradual reduction of reassurance-seeking from doctors and family, exposure to feared health-related triggers, and metacognitive techniques. Before beginning treatment, a thorough medical evaluation may be recommended to rule out any underlying physical condition. If required, your therapist can coordinate with an appropriate medical specialist. A typical course of therapy involves 12–16 sessions.
Yes. All sessions are protected under the Mental Healthcare Act 2017, RCI Code of Professional Ethics, NMC ethics, and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023. HopeQure is ISO 27001 certified, DPDP-compliant and HIPAA-aligned. Sessions are end-to-end encrypted, records stay on Indian servers, and we never share content with family, employer, courts (without legal compulsion), or insurance companies without your written consent. Anonymous booking is available. Limits to confidentiality: imminent risk to life, ongoing child abuse, court orders.
PCL-5 (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder-7) is a validated 7-item self-report scale developed by Spitzer et al. (2006), used globally as the primary screening and severity tool for generalised anxiety disorder. Scores range 0-21: 5-9 mild, 10-14 moderate, 15-21 severe. PCL-5 has strong sensitivity (89%) and specificity (82%) for GAD at cutoff ≥10. At HopeQure, PCL-5 is administered at every intake to confirm severity, guide plan selection (Plan A vs Plan B), and track response over time. Re-administered at weeks 4, 8, 12 to measure progress objectively.
Workplace anxiety affects performance, sickness absence, and retention. HopeQure delivers structured workplace anxiety programs through EAP — confidential counselling, manager workshops on anxiety in the workplace, and crisis hotlines. From 25-employee SMEs to 5,000-employee enterprises.
Related Mental Health Services
Glossary
References & Further Reading
[1] American Psychiatric Association (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed., Text Revision (DSM-5-TR).
[2] World Health Organization (2024). International Classification of Diseases, 11th ed. (ICD-11) — 6B00 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
[3] NICE Clinical Guideline NG113 (2019). Generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder in adults: management. nice.org.uk
[4] American Psychiatric Association Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Panic Disorder (2009, updated).
[5] NIMHANS Clinical Practice Guidelines for Anxiety Disorders (India, Indian Psychiatric Society).
[6] Hofmann SG, Asnaani A, Vonk IJ, et al. (2012). The efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy: a review of meta-analyses. Cognitive Therapy & Research.
[7] Bandelow B, Reitt M, Röver C, et al. (2015). Efficacy of treatments for PTSD-spectrum: a meta-analysis. International Clinical Psychopharmacology.
[8] Carpenter JK, Andrews LA, Witcraft SM, et al. (2018). CBT for anxiety and related disorders: meta-analysis of RCTs. Depression & Anxiety.
[9] Spitzer RL, Kroenke K, Williams JB, Löwe B (2006). A brief measure for assessing PCL-5. Archives of Internal Medicine, 166:1092.
[10] Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JB, Löwe B (2007). PTSD-spectrum in primary care: prevalence, impairment, comorbidity, and detection. Annals of Internal Medicine.
[11] Foa EB, Kozak MJ (1986). Emotional processing of fear: exposure to corrective information. Psychological Bulletin.
[12] Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (2020). Telemedicine Practice Guidelines. mohfw.gov.in