What is driving demand
- Awareness: open conversation about mental health in families, schools and workplaces has grown.
- Policy: the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 set out rights to mental healthcare, and the government runs the Tele MANAS helpline.
- Schools: CBSE affiliation rules expect schools to provide counselling support; see CBSE.
- Workplaces: more employers offer employee wellbeing and assistance programmes.
Links checked 2026-10-28.
Where psychologists and counsellors work
- Schools and colleges.
- Hospitals and clinics.
- Corporate wellbeing teams.
- NGOs and community programmes.
- Private practice and online platforms.
Qualifications matter
- Counselling roles: usually a master's in psychology or counselling, plus supervised practice.
- Clinical psychologists: an M.Phil in Clinical Psychology or equivalent recognised by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), with RCI registration.
Short certificates alone are not enough to practise responsibly.
Who it suits
People who listen patiently, stay calm with distress, respect confidentiality and keep learning. It is rewarding, and emotionally demanding.