Mental health experts often work in a network. If they share their personal numbers and are always available for a session, or ask to meet you at cafes or undesignated spaces, be wary, says Shanu. Lack of professional boundaries can also be a red flag. Krithika adds, “If the therapist schedules calls and sessions at odd hours or offers therapy three or four times a week and beyond 50-60 minutes, it is unusual.” Kala says, “Are they clear about how much they charge and how they maintain confidentiality?” It is important to look for professionalism (or the lack of it) when you contact a therapist. Therapy works on trust and transparency.” From time to time, it is mandatory for them to go into therapy and even practise under a supervisor to ensure they are following standard procedures, they say.Ĭounselling psychologist Kala Balasubramanian says, “I set up a 20-minute free call with potential clients so they can ask about my qualifications or the areas I focus on. “I had to complete about 700 hours,” Krithika recalls.Įven after mental health professionals start practice, they stay under supervision. The duration of practicum varies from university to university. I know of people who call themselves parenting therapists just because they have done a long-distance course. Next, they must undertake 250 hours of practicum, that is, give counselling sessions in the presence of a certified supervisor, before stepping into the field. Shanu says, “Therapists in India currently don’t require a licence to practice but a master’s degree in counselling or clinical psychology is a must. So how can one tell a fake therapist from the real and the good from the bad?Īsk for their credentials (degree, certifications, universities and organistions that trained them, years of experience), go by referrals, and look up reviews. It happens to everyone’, she was also judgmental. Not only did she tell me generic things like ‘Try yoga. She set up a teleconsultation of 45 minutes. On that, I found a counsellor who was charging Rs 300 for the first session as against the offline rate of Rs 1,000-Rs 1,500. Also, many therapists online charge less than those working offline.Ī 24-year-old college student shared her experience: “A toolkit was going around on Instagram. Social media saw a spurt in people offering therapy and mental health coaching after the pandemic broke out, a response to the emotional crisis it unleashed. That people could seek help inconspicuously without leaving their home boosted the adoption. “Unskilled professionals are not capable of processing long-term problems related to grief, trauma and abuse,” warns counseling psychologist Shanu Ben Choudhary. Smooth talk and friendly advice should not be mistaken for therapy. He had high levels of stress and trust issues and low esteem when he approached me.” It took us a year of therapy to bring him back to ‘his normalcy’. The therapist claimed to have a diploma but when he filed a case of harassment against her, he found the degree was fake. She shared a case study: “A client was suffering from trauma and was taking ‘neurolingusitic therapy’ from a therapist on Instagram. Psychotherapist Krithika Gopinath told Metrolife that five people consulted her after they were traumatised by therapists they had booked online The spotlight is on unqualified therapists on social media, after the Karnataka High Court recently said the government should regulate them.
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