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Counselling Psychologist

Healthcare

Counselling Psychologists in India provide structured, evidence-based talk therapy to individuals, couples, and families navigating anxiety, depression, grief, relationship distress, life transitions, and trauma — without a prescribing licence or the full neuropsychological-assessment scope of the RCI-licensed clinical psychologist. The standard Indian entry path is BA/BSc Psychology (3 years) followed by MA/MSc Counselling Psychology or Applied Psychology (2 years) at a UGC-recognised university; unlike clinical psychology, the 2-year M.Phil (RCI) is not mandatory for counselling practice, though it significantly widens scope and legal standing. Counselling psychologists work across corporate Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP), NGOs and mental-health foundations, community health centres, university counselling cells, teletherapy platforms (iCall, YourDOST, Practo Mental Health, Manastha), and private practice — often running hybrid in-person and online caseloads. This role is distinct from the clinical psychologist (who requires M.Phil + RCI registration to conduct standardised neuropsychological batteries and hold licensed status) and from the career counsellor (who focuses on academic and occupational guidance) — the counselling psychologist's scope sits squarely in therapeutic support, psychoeducation, and short-to-medium-term structured interventions.