Question 1

What is holistic wellness?

Accepted Answer

Holistic wellness means looking at the whole person — thoughts, emotions, relationships, physical health, sleep, work and circumstances — rather than treating a symptom in isolation. In practice this means we may spend time on your sleep or your workload alongside the difficulty that brought you in, because those things shape each other. It does not mean replacing evidence-based treatment with alternative therapies. Our work is grounded in established approaches such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.

Question 2

How do I book a first session, and what are your hours?

Accepted Answer

Call or message us on WhatsApp at +91 8800830088, or email contact@sonalibarthwal.com. We will ask a few brief questions to understand what you are looking for and suggest which of our practitioners is the best fit. Consultation hours are Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM IST. We are closed on Sundays. Sessions can be held at our Gurugram clinic or online.

Question 3

Do you prescribe medication?

Accepted Answer

It depends on who you see. Psychologists and counsellors — including Sonali Barthwal and Divyanshi Goswami — provide talking therapy and psychological assessment, and are not able to prescribe medication. Dr. Anisha Chauhan is a Consultant Psychiatrist and is qualified to assess whether medication may help and to prescribe it. Many people see a psychiatrist and a therapist alongside each other, and we can coordinate that within the practice if it would be useful. Therapy alone is appropriate and effective for a great many difficulties.

Question 4

What should I expect in my first session?

Accepted Answer

The first session is mainly an assessment, and there is nothing you need to prepare. You will be asked about what brought you in, how long it has been going on, and what you would like to be different. We will also ask some background questions about your health, sleep, relationships and history. Towards the end we will talk through what a plan might look like — the approach we would suggest, and a rough sense of how many sessions may be involved. You are under no obligation to continue. Sessions are 60 minutes.

Question 5

Are sessions available online?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer secure video sessions for most of our services, at the same fee as an in-person session. Many people find online sessions easier to sustain, particularly if travel or a demanding schedule would otherwise make regular attendance difficult. All you need is a private space and a stable internet connection. Some work — certain psychological assessments in particular — is better conducted in person, and we will tell you if that applies to you.

Question 6

How many sessions will I need?

Accepted Answer

This varies more than people expect, and any specific number promised at the outset should be treated with caution. For a focused difficulty — a specific phobia, exam anxiety, a defined work problem — structured CBT often works within roughly 8 to 12 sessions. Longer-standing patterns, trauma or complex grief usually take longer. Most people begin weekly, then move to fortnightly as things improve. We review progress openly as we go, and you are free to stop at any point.

Question 7

How much does a session cost?

Accepted Answer

All sessions are 60 minutes. A session with Sonali Barthwal, Senior Psychologist, is Rs. 3000. A session with Divyanshi Goswami, Clinical Psychologist, is Rs. 2000. A consultation with Dr. Anisha Chauhan, Consultant Psychiatrist, is Rs. 3000. Fees are the same whether the session is in person or online. Psychological assessments and corporate or school workshops are priced separately depending on scope — please ask us for a quote.

Question 8

Do you accept insurance?

Accepted Answer

We are a self-pay practice, which is typical for outpatient mental health care in India. We provide a proper invoice and receipt for every session, which you can submit to your insurer or to an employer assistance or wellness programme if you have one. Whether outpatient therapy is reimbursed depends entirely on your specific policy — many policies in India cover mental health treatment only where it involves hospitalisation. We would encourage you to check directly with your insurer or HR team before starting, so there are no surprises.

Question 9

Is what I say confidential?

Accepted Answer

Yes. What you discuss in session is confidential, and your records are kept securely and are not shared with family, employers or anyone else without your explicit consent. There are narrow and legally recognised exceptions, which we will explain at the start: where there is a serious and immediate risk to your life or to someone else's, where a child or vulnerable adult may be at risk of harm, or where a court of law directs disclosure. If such a situation ever arose, we would aim to discuss it with you first wherever it is safe to do so.

Question 10

Can I switch practitioners if I don't feel a connection?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely, and it is worth saying plainly that this is common and not awkward. The relationship between you and your therapist is one of the strongest predictors of whether therapy works, so a poor fit is a practical problem rather than a personal one. Tell us — by email if that feels easier than saying it in the room — and we will arrange a transition to another practitioner on our team, or offer a referral elsewhere if that would serve you better. You will not be asked to justify the decision.

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