If you have been feeling low for weeks and it is not lifting, talking to a counsellor is a reasonable first step. You can see someone online from home or in person near you. You do not need to be sure it is "depression" before you book. A first session is a conversation about what has been happening and what might help.
Leshya is not emergency care. In a crisis, call Tele MANAS on 14416.
Counsellors who help with depression
See fees and open times. Book when you feel ready.
Siddhi Saraf
Clinical psychologistSurat, IndiaOnline sessions on video call and in-person sessions in Surat
Expertise
Languages
EnglishHindiEarliest slot: Tomorrow, 5:50 pm
from ₹2,000 / session
Book a session
Jemishi Mehta
Counselling Psychologist1 yrsChennai, IndiaOnline sessions on video call
Expertise
Languages
HindiEnglishGujaratiEarliest slot: Tomorrow, 3:00 pm
from ₹1,000 / session
Book a session
Purvi Balasaria
Psychotherapist7 yrsOnline sessions on video call
Expertise
Languages
HindiEnglishEarliest slot: Tomorrow, 6:00 pm
from ₹3,000 / session
Book a sessionCan counselling help with depression?
For many people, yes. The World Health Organization's fact sheet on depression says there are effective options for depression. It names talking therapies such as behavioural activation, cognitive behavioural therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy, alongside medicine.
What helps is different for each person. Some people feel a change after a few sessions. For others it takes longer, or they need more than one kind of support. A good counsellor will talk this through with you honestly instead of promising a timeline.
Who should you see: a counsellor, a psychologist or a psychiatrist?
All three can help, in different ways.
A counsellor works with you through regular conversations. They help you understand what you are feeling and build small, steady ways of coping.
A psychologist also offers talking sessions. Many have deeper training in specific methods, such as cognitive behavioural therapy.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor. They are the person to see if you want to talk about medicine, or if a counsellor suggests it.
Many people start with a counsellor or psychologist and add a psychiatrist later if needed. It is fine to ask any of them about their training and registration before you book. A good professional is happy to answer.
Online or near you: which is better for you?
Both are real options. The right one is the one you will actually keep going to.
Online sessions suit you if getting out of the house feels hard right now, if you live far from a counsellor you like, or if you want someone who speaks your language, wherever they are.
In-person sessions suit you if you find it easier to open up in a room, or if you do not have a private space at home for a call.
On Leshya, online sessions happen on Google Meet or Microsoft Teams. The link comes with your booking, so there is nothing new to install. Some counsellors also see people in person, and their profile shows where.
What happens in a first session for depression?
The first session is mostly about getting to know each other. You might talk about what has been feeling heavy and for how long, how you are sleeping, eating and getting through the day, what you have already tried, and what you would like to feel different.
You do not have to share everything at once. You can say "I'm not ready to talk about that yet." A counsellor will respect it.
By the end, you will usually have a sense of how they work and whether you feel comfortable with them. That feeling matters. If it does not fit, it is okay to try someone else.
How much does counselling for depression cost in India?
There is no single price. Fees depend on the counsellor's experience, the session length and whether it is online or in person.
On Leshya, each counsellor shows their fee on their profile before you book, so you know the amount before you pay. If a counsellor offers a free or shorter first session, you will see it there too. You can also book as a guest, without creating an account.
If cost is a worry, it is fine to ask a counsellor how often they suggest meeting. Some people meet weekly at first and then less often.
What should you look for in a counsellor's profile?
A profile tells you a lot before you ever speak. Look for depression or low mood among the concerns they work with, and for languages you are comfortable in. Many people find it easier to talk about feelings in their first language.
Read how they work, in their own words, and ask yourself whether it sounds like someone you could talk to. Check the session format (online, in person or both), and read the reviews from people who have had sessions, if there are any yet.
You do not need a perfect match. You need someone you feel safe enough to start with.
Depression counselling near me
If you are looking for depression counselling near me, you have two routes. To meet in person, use the in-person filter in the directory or open the page for your city, and check each profile for where the counsellor sees people. If nobody close by suits you, or leaving home feels like too much right now, an online session works from wherever you are.
If you feel unsafe at any point, call Tele MANAS on 14416.
What if you are not ready to book yet?
That is okay. Some people read for a while before they reach out. A few small steps can help in the meantime. You could tell one person you trust how you have been feeling, write down what a typical day looks like right now to share later, or keep a short list of two or three counsellors whose profiles felt right.
If things start to feel unsafe, do not wait. Talk to someone you trust and call Tele MANAS on 14416. It is a free government mental health helpline that runs all day, every day.
A gentle place to start
Feeling low for a long time can make every decision feel heavy, including this one. You do not have to have it all worked out. Picking one counsellor and booking one conversation is enough for now.
If you're thinking about harming yourself, please talk to someone right now. Tele MANAS is free, confidential and always open: call 14416. You matter.
The counselors here can help with ongoing support, but right now a call is faster.
