How much does therapy cost? A country-by-country guide

Therapy costs vary enormously depending on where you are and what type of professional you see. Here are real figures for Nepal, India, the UK, and Australia.

One of the most common reasons people delay getting therapy is not knowing what it costs. Here are real, current figures — by country and type of professional.

Nepal

Government/public services: Free or very low cost through government hospitals (long waits, medication-focused).

Private psychologist: NPR 1,500–3,500 per session (approximately USD 11–26). This range reflects both experience level and location — Kathmandu rates are higher than Pokhara.

Private psychiatrist: NPR 2,000–5,000 per consultation.

NGO services: Low cost or free through TPO Nepal, CMC-Nepal, and others.

India

Government services: Free through NIMHANS (Bangalore) and government hospital psychiatry departments, but significant waits and limited therapy provision.

Private psychologist: INR 1,000–4,000 per session (approximately USD 12–48) depending on city and experience. Mumbai and Delhi are at the higher end.

Private psychiatrist: INR 1,500–5,000 per consultation.

Online platforms: iCall (free/sliding scale), YourDost (INR 500–2,000/session), Practo (varies by practitioner).

United Kingdom

NHS Talking Therapies: Free, but waits of 3–18 months are common for non-urgent referrals.

Private psychologist: £60–160 per session (London is higher; outside London, £50–100 is more common).

Private psychiatrist: £200–400 per assessment; £150–300 per follow-up.

Insurance: Many employers offer health insurance that covers mental health. Worth checking your benefits.

Australia

Medicare (Better Access): With a GP referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan, you get up to 20 sessions per year with a Medicare rebate of AUD 137–141 per session. Out-of-pocket varies by therapist — many charge $20–80 above the rebate.

Full private (no Medicare): AUD 180–300 per session for a psychologist.

Private psychiatrist: AUD 400–600 per initial assessment; Medicare covers a portion.

Online therapy across borders

One option for diaspora communities: online therapy with a psychologist based in your home country. A session with a Nepal-based psychologist at NPR 2,000 is significantly cheaper than a UK private session, with potentially stronger cultural match. Check the practitioner's qualifications and insurance carefully before proceeding.

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