How to Start a Private Therapy Practice in India

Starting your own practice is mostly about getting a few things right in the right order: be clear about what you are qualified to call yourself, decide how you will see clients, set your fees, find a room, put your paperwork in place, and then build a steady flow of referrals. This guide walks through each step.

1. Know what your qualification lets you practise as

Titles matter in India, and they are not interchangeable.

• Clinical psychologist. To practise as a clinical psychologist you need registration with the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) on its Central Rehabilitation Register. The Mental Healthcare Act 2017 also ties the term "clinical psychologist" to RCI-recognised qualifications (such as the M.Phil in Clinical Psychology). Practising under this title without RCI registration is not permitted.
• Counselling psychologist, psychologist or counsellor. These roles are not on the RCI register. They come under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, 2021, which is setting up registration for psychologists and counsellors. Registration under NCAHP is being rolled out in stages, so check the current status on the official NCAHP / Ministry of Health website before you launch.

Whatever your title, describe your qualification exactly as it is on your degree, and work within your training. Refer clients who need a psychiatrist, a clinical psychologist or crisis care.

2. Decide how you will see clients

Most new practices in India start hybrid: online sessions for reach and flexibility, in-person sessions for the clients who need or prefer them.

• Online only: lowest cost. You need a private, quiet room at home, a reliable connection and a secure video tool.
• In person only: best for children, couples, some trauma work and clients without privacy at home. You need a proper therapy room.
• Both: the most common choice. See our guide on running online and in-person sessions together.

3. Set your fees

There is no single "right" fee. Things to weigh:

• Your training, years of experience and any specialisation
• What other therapists with similar experience charge in your city
• Your costs per session: the room, platform and payment fees, supervision, continuing education
• Who you want to serve. Many therapists keep a few sliding-scale slots for clients who cannot afford the full fee

Write your fee, session length, cancellation rule and payment method down before your first client, and share them in writing. Changing terms later is harder than setting them clearly at the start.

4. Find your first room

For most new practices a monthly lease is the biggest early risk: a deposit, a lock-in and a room that sits empty while your caseload grows. Renting a room by the hour lets you pay only for sessions you actually have.

When you choose a room, check sound privacy, the waiting area, seating and access. Our therapy room checklist covers what to look for, and our hourly vs monthly cost guide shows when a lease starts to make sense.

5. Put your paperwork in place

Before your first session, prepare:

• Intake form: contact details, emergency contact, reason for seeking help, relevant history, current medication.
• Informed consent: what therapy involves, session length and fees, cancellation policy, how to reach you between sessions, and the limits of confidentiality (for example, risk of serious harm to self or others).
• Online-session consent if you work online: the platform you use, what happens if the connection drops, and how you will respond in an emergency when the client is not in the room with you.
• Session notes: keep them brief, factual and stored securely. Clients have a right to confidentiality under the Mental Healthcare Act 2017, and client records are personal data under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, so protect any digital records with passwords and limit who can access them.
• Crisis plan: local emergency numbers, a psychiatrist you can refer to, and the nearest hospital for each place you practise.

6. Get supervision and peer support

Private practice can be isolating. Regular supervision or peer consultation keeps your work safe and helps you handle difficult cases. Many therapists also join a professional association for training and referrals.

7. Find your clients

Referrals take time to build. Start early with a mix of:

• Your own website or profile page that says clearly who you work with, how, where and at what fee.
• A Google Business Profile for your practice once you have a fixed address where you see clients.
• Referral relationships with psychiatrists, GPs, paediatricians, schools and HR teams.
• Therapist directories and the counselling platforms you trust.
• Talks and workshops in your area of focus. A group room booked for one evening is a low-cost way to start.

Be patient with the first six months. Track where each client found you, and put more effort into what works.

A simple launch checklist

• Registration and title checked (RCI or NCAHP)
• Fee, session length and cancellation policy written down
• Intake form, consent form and online consent ready
• Secure notes system and crisis plan in place
• Room chosen (hourly or leased) and checked
• Supervision arranged
• Profile or website live, first referral contacts made

Start without a lease

TherraSpace lists verified therapy rooms you can book by the hour in Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune and more cities. Find a room.