Quick answer: Clinical psychologist fees in Bangalore are usually ₹1,500 to ₹2,500 per therapy session at private centres. In October 2026, individual Practo listings for clinical psychologists ran from ₹1,500 to ₹4,000, with most at ₹1,650 to ₹2,000, and a hospital clinical psychologist at Fortis listed ₹800. Psychological assessments, such as an IQ or ADHD assessment, are priced separately as a package, so ask for a written quote. At NIMHANS, OPD registration is ₹20 or ₹100.
A clinical psychologist is a psychologist with advanced training to assess and treat mental health conditions, and to carry out formal psychological tests. In India, a clinical psychologist should be registered with the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). This guide covers what clinical psychologists charge in Bangalore, what assessments involve, how to check registration, and how they differ from counselling psychologists.
Clinical psychologist fees in Bangalore at a glance
| Setting | Typical fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Government institute (NIMHANS) | ₹20 to ₹100 registration | ₹20 general screening, ₹100 specialised or referral OPD. Assessments are done on referral within the hospital. |
| Hospital psychology department | From about ₹800 per session | A clinical psychologist at Fortis Richmond Road listed ₹800. |
| Private clinic or mental health centre | ₹1,500 to ₹2,000 per session | Most Practo listings fell here, including centres in Sahakaranagar, Whitefield and Bellandur. |
| Senior or PhD clinical psychologist | ₹2,500 to ₹4,000 per session | PhD clinical psychologists on Practo listed ₹2,500 and ₹4,000. |
| Psychological assessment (IQ, ADHD, learning, memory) | Quoted as a package | Price depends on the tests, number of sittings and report. Ask for the quote in writing. |
| Online session | Ask the clinic | Therapy often works online. Most formal tests need you in person. |
What real listings show (October 2026)
Practo listed 51 clinical psychologists in Bangalore. We also checked Apollo and Fortis pages. Here are examples, without names.
| Clinic or hospital (area) | Level / experience | Listed fee per session |
|---|---|---|
| Fortis Hospital (Richmond Road) | Clinical psychologist, 1 year | ₹800 |
| Mindful TMS Neurocare (Sahakaranagar) | Clinical psychologist, 5 years | ₹1,500 |
| Apollo Clinic (Bellandur) | Clinical psychologist, 8 to 10 years | ₹1,650 |
| Mindful TMS Neurocare (Whitefield) | Clinical psychologist, 9 years | ₹1,800 |
| Apollo Clinic (Mahadevapura) | Clinical psychologist, 10 years | ₹2,000 |
| Cadabams Mindtalk (Kanakapura Road) | Clinical psychologist, 7 years | ₹2,000 |
| Wings Within (Whitefield) | Clinical psychologist with PhD, 19 years | ₹2,500 |
| Reach Psychiatry and Counselling Centre (Kammanahalli) | Centre listing | ₹3,500 |
A TherapyRoute guide also puts clinical psychology sessions at hospital and clinic listings in Bangalore at about ₹1,200 to ₹1,700. In our sample, a PhD and a long career pushed fees up more clearly than in general counselling.
What is an RCI-registered clinical psychologist?
In India, anyone can call themselves a “psychologist” or “counsellor”. The title “clinical psychologist” is different. A clinical psychologist usually holds an RCI-recognised qualification, such as an M.Phil in Clinical Psychology, and is listed on the RCI’s Central Rehabilitation Register. This training covers diagnosis, psychological testing and therapy for conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), psychosis and personality problems.
How to check: ask the psychologist for their RCI registration number. The RCI website has a register search that you can use to confirm it. A trained professional will not mind you asking. This matters most for assessments, because schools, courts, employers and disability boards may only accept reports from a registered clinical psychologist.
Clinical psychologist or counselling psychologist?
| Point | Clinical psychologist | Counselling psychologist |
|---|---|---|
| Training | Advanced, RCI-recognised clinical training | Master’s in counselling or psychology |
| Best for | Diagnosable mental health conditions, severe or long-lasting problems, formal testing | Everyday stress, life changes, relationships, study and work pressure |
| Psychological tests | Yes, including IQ and diagnostic tests | Usually limited to simple screening |
| Works with psychiatrists | Often, in hospitals and clinics | Sometimes |
| Can prescribe medicines? | No | No |
If you only need someone to talk to about stress or a relationship, a counselling psychologist may be enough and is sometimes cheaper. For our wider view of therapy fees and session totals, see our separate guide on psychologist fees in Bangalore. If you need a diagnosis, a test report or help with a serious condition, choose an RCI-registered clinical psychologist.
Why clinical psychologist fees differ
- Qualification. An M.Phil or PhD with many years of hospital work usually costs more.
- Hospital or private centre. In our sample, the hospital fee was lower than most private centres.
- Therapy or assessment. A therapy session has a set fee. An assessment is priced as a package of sittings, scoring and a written report.
- Children or adults. Child work often includes time with parents and teachers.
- Special areas. Neuropsychology (memory and thinking after a brain injury or stroke), child development and trauma therapy may cost more.
Psychological assessment: what IQ, ADHD and other tests involve
An assessment is a set of standard tests, interviews and questionnaires that answer a clear question, such as “Does this child have a learning difficulty?” Here is what common assessments involve, in plain words:
- IQ assessment (intellectual ability test). Measures reasoning, memory, problem-solving and language. Used for school planning, suspected intellectual disability or giftedness. Often takes one to two sittings.
- ADHD assessment (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Combines rating scales filled by parents and teachers, interviews and attention tests. The clinical psychologist often works with a psychiatrist or paediatrician, who makes the final diagnosis and decides about medicines.
- Learning disability assessment (for difficulty with reading, writing or maths despite normal intelligence). Usually includes an IQ test plus reading, spelling and maths tests. Schools may ask for this before giving exam support.
- Autism screening and assessment. Observation of the child, parent interviews and structured tools. Often done with a child psychiatrist or developmental paediatrician.
- Neuropsychological assessment. Tests of memory, attention and thinking, used after head injury, stroke, or when memory loss is a worry in older adults.
- Personality and diagnostic tests. Questionnaires and interviews that help confirm a diagnosis and plan therapy.
About price: we could not find assessment prices published on a public page for Bangalore, so we have not given a number. Clinics quote a package that depends on the tests used, the number of sittings and the length of the report. Before you agree, ask: which tests will be used, how many sittings, whether the report and a feedback session are included, and whether the report will carry the psychologist’s RCI number. For other medical cost heads, see our hospital costs guide.
Certificates for school, exams or disability benefits
Some families need an assessment for a certificate, for example for exam concessions or a disability certificate. Boards, schools and government offices may only accept a report from a government hospital or a specific type of professional. Check exactly whose report they accept before you pay privately, so you do not pay twice.
Low-cost and free options in Bangalore
- NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences) in Bangalore, Karnataka has one of India’s best-known clinical psychology departments, with child and adult services. OPD registration is ₹20 for general screening and ₹100 for specialised or referral clinics. Our NIMHANS face-to-face consultation guide explains the process.
- Government medical college hospitals in the city have psychiatry departments, many with clinical psychologists.
- Tele-MANAS, the free national mental health helpline, can guide you to services. Call 14416 or 1800-891-4416.
- Insurance. Most health insurance plans do not pay for OPD therapy or assessments. Check your policy for OPD cover.
When should you see a clinical psychologist?
- A doctor or school has asked for a psychological assessment
- A child is struggling with reading, writing, attention or behaviour despite help at school
- Long-lasting anxiety, low mood, panic or obsessive thoughts that affect daily life
- Memory or thinking changes after a head injury or stroke, or in an older family member
- A psychiatrist has advised therapy alongside medicines
Emergency: if someone talks about ending their life or has harmed themselves, do not wait for an appointment. Call 108, go to the nearest emergency department, or call Tele-MANAS on 14416.
How to keep the cost down and get more from your visit
- Ask for the RCI registration number before booking an assessment.
- Ask for the full assessment quote in writing, including the report.
- Bring school reports, teacher notes, old test reports and medical records.
- For a child, make sure they are rested and well on test day, so you do not need to repeat it.
- Ask whether the report will be accepted by the school, board or office that asked for it.
- Use online sessions for therapy where it suits you, and keep in-person visits for testing.
How NEIMHAANS can help
We help families from Bangalore, other states, the Northeast and abroad find an RCI-registered clinical psychologist, arrange assessments at NIMHANS or private centres, get quotes in writing, and plan stay and travel. Learn more about our medical concierge services in Bangalore.
Sources
- Practo: Clinical psychologists in Bangalore
- Apollo 24/7: Psychiatry and psychology listings in Bangalore
- Fortis Healthcare: Mental health and behavioural sciences, Bangalore
- Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI)
- TherapyRoute: How much does therapy cost in Bangalore
- SPARSH Hospital: Clinical psychology services (IQ, neuropsychological and diagnostic tests)
Frequently asked questions
How much does a clinical psychologist charge in Bangalore?
Most private clinical psychologists in Bangalore charge ₹1,500 to ₹2,500 per session. In October 2026, individual Practo listings ran from ₹1,500 to ₹4,000, mostly ₹1,650 to ₹2,000, while a hospital clinical psychologist at Fortis Richmond Road listed ₹800. Assessments such as IQ or ADHD testing are charged separately.
How much does an IQ or ADHD assessment cost in Bangalore?
We could not find assessment prices published on a public page, so ask each clinic for a written quote. The price depends on the tests used, the number of sittings and whether a written report and feedback session are included. NIMHANS offers assessments on referral after OPD registration of ₹20 or ₹100.
What is the difference between a clinical psychologist and a counselling psychologist?
A clinical psychologist has advanced, RCI-recognised training to diagnose mental health conditions, run formal tests such as IQ assessments, and treat more serious or long-lasting problems. A counselling psychologist mainly helps with everyday stress, relationships and life changes. Neither can prescribe medicines. Choose a clinical psychologist when you need a diagnosis or a test report.
How do I check if a clinical psychologist is RCI registered?
Ask the psychologist for their Rehabilitation Council of India registration number, then check it using the register search on the RCI website. Registered clinical psychologists are listed on the Central Rehabilitation Register. This is especially important if you need a report for a school, board, court or disability certificate.
Can I do a psychological assessment online?
Therapy sessions often work well online, but most formal tests, such as IQ tests and many ADHD and learning assessments, need you or your child to be present in person with the test materials. Some parts, such as parent interviews and rating forms, can be done online. Ask the clinic which parts can be remote.
Does insurance cover clinical psychologist fees?
Usually not. Therapy sessions and psychological assessments are OPD services, and most health insurance plans in India do not pay for OPD care unless you have an OPD add-on. Some employers and schools offer free assessments or counselling. Check your policy and ask your HR team or school before paying.
Fees in this article are indicative ranges gathered from publicly listed hospital and clinic information and doctor-booking platforms in October 2026. They are general information, not medical or financial advice. Doctors and hospitals change their fees, so always confirm the current charge with the clinic before your visit.