Dr. Prerna Kohli is one of India's leading clinical psychologists and marriage counsellors, based in Gurugram with over 30 years of practice. She holds a PhD from Aligarh Muslim University, is a four-time gold medalist, and received the "100 Women Achievers of India" award from the President of India. A TEDx speaker and published author, she works with individuals, couples, and families through her private practice — in-clinic in Gurugram and online worldwide, with a particular speciality in NRI clients and the Indian diaspora.

Dr. Kohli is a clinical psychologist with more than 30 years of experience, a PhD from Aligarh Muslim University, and the distinction of being a four-time gold medalist in her field. Over three decades she has worked with thousands of individuals, couples, and families across India and internationally, and her practice draws on established, evidence-based methods adapted to each person's situation and cultural context.

Dr. Kohli earned her PhD from Aligarh Muslim University, where she was a four-time gold medalist. That academic foundation underpins more than three decades of clinical practice with individuals, couples, and families across India and internationally.

Dr. Kohli is a clinical psychologist, not a psychiatrist, which means she works through evidence-informed talk therapy rather than prescribing medication. Most concerns are addressed well this way. When medication may help, her practice includes a psychiatrist who can assess and prescribe, so your care stays coordinated within one team.

Dr. Kohli received the "100 Women Achievers of India" award from the President of India in recognition of her contribution to mental health. She is a four-time gold medalist and has been honoured across more than 50 awards and recognitions over her career, alongside frequent invitations as a speaker and media commentator. You can see the full list of awards here.

Yes. Dr. Kohli is a TEDx speaker and a frequent voice in national media on mental health, relationships, and family wellbeing, contributing expert commentary across print, television, and digital platforms. She is also a published author who writes regularly to make psychological insight accessible to a general audience.

Dr. Kohli offers counselling in English and Hindi, both in-clinic and online. This bilingual range makes her work accessible to clients across India and to NRIs and the Indian diaspora abroad.

MindTribe Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. is a separate organisation Dr. Kohli founded to make quality counselling more affordable and accessible — particularly for those who can't consult her directly — while giving promising early-career psychologists a place to practise and grow. Dr. Kohli does not see clients through MindTribe; her own clinical work is offered exclusively through her private practice as Dr. Prerna Kohli, in-clinic in Gurugram and online worldwide.

You don't need to be in crisis to benefit from counselling. Common signs include persistent low mood or worry, ongoing conflict in relationships, feeling stuck or overwhelmed, difficulty coping with change, or simply wanting clarity and support. If something is affecting your wellbeing or daily life, that's reason enough to talk to someone.

Absolutely — most people who come to counselling are not "mentally ill" at all. They're navigating a difficult relationship, a major decision, stress, a life transition, or simply a wish to understand themselves better. Counselling is for anyone who wants a thoughtful, confidential space to work something through, not only for those facing a diagnosed condition.

A clinical psychologist is trained in psychological assessment and talk-based therapy and does not prescribe medication, while a psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe. Many concerns are addressed well through therapy alone; some benefit from both working together. For most people, starting with a clinical psychologist is the right step — Dr. Kohli begins with a careful assessment, works with you directly where therapy fits, and briefs the psychiatrist in her team if medication would help, so everything stays coordinated within one team.

A clinical psychologist works through talk therapy for concerns like relationships, anxiety, stress, and life difficulties. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe medication, and is best when medication is central to treatment. A counsellor typically supports specific or shorter-term issues. For most everyday concerns, a clinical psychologist is the right starting point — Dr. Kohli begins with a careful assessment and involves the psychiatrist in her team only if medication would genuinely help.

The terms overlap heavily and are often used interchangeably. Both involve a trained professional helping you understand and work through emotional, relationship, or behavioural concerns, though "psychotherapy" sometimes refers to deeper or longer-term work. What matters more than the label is working with an experienced clinician who tailors the approach to you.

The first session is mostly about understanding you — what brings you in, your history, and what you'd like to change. It's a relaxed, confidential conversation with no pressure. By the end, you'll usually have a clearer sense of the way forward and how counselling can help.

You don't need to prepare much — it helps to think about what's been troubling you and what you'd like to be different, but there's no script to follow. For online sessions, choose a private, quiet space with a stable connection. The first session is a relaxed conversation, not a test.

That's completely normal, and figuring it out is part of the work. You don't need a diagnosis or the right words to begin — only to show up. Dr. Kohli helps you make sense of vague or overwhelming feelings through a careful, unhurried conversation.

No. Good counselling is non-judgemental — a space to be heard and understood, not lectured. Rather than dictating choices, Dr. Kohli helps you understand your situation clearly so you can make decisions that are right for you.

There's no fixed number — it depends on what you're working through and your goals. Some people find a few sessions enough for a specific concern, while others prefer longer-term support. Dr. Kohli discusses a suitable approach with you early on, and you remain in control of the pace.

Many people start with weekly or fortnightly sessions, which helps build momentum early on, then space them out as things improve. The right rhythm depends on what you're working through and what feels sustainable for you, and Dr. Kohli will suggest a cadence and adjust it as you progress rather than fixing it rigidly in advance.

No. As a clinical psychologist, Dr. Kohli works through evidence-informed talk therapy, and most concerns are addressed this way — medication is never assumed or required. If it would genuinely help, the psychiatrist in her team can assess and prescribe, keeping your care coordinated.

For many common concerns — anxiety, depression, stress, and relationship difficulties — counselling is well supported by evidence and helps people understand their situation and build lasting ways to cope. Outcomes depend on the concern, the fit with your therapist, and your engagement, which is exactly why Dr. Kohli tailors the approach to each person rather than applying a fixed formula.

Yes. Dr. Kohli is trained and experienced across the major evidence-based approaches — including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), and others — drawn from more than 30 years of clinical practice. After understanding your situation, she selects and tailors the approach, or combination of approaches, best suited to you, and adjusts it as you progress.

No. Most people arrive with a concern they want resolved, not a therapy they want to receive — and choosing the right method is the psychologist's job. Deciding which approach will help most, and adapting it as you go, is one of the real advantages of working with an experienced clinician rather than a single-method practitioner.

Counselling can't guarantee any particular outcome, but it gives couples a neutral, structured space to understand recurring patterns, rebuild communication and trust, and decide together how they want to move forward. Many couples find it helps them reconnect; for others, it brings clarity and a more respectful path ahead. You can learn more on the marriage counselling page.

It helps to see a marriage counsellor when the same conflicts keep repeating, communication feels stuck, trust has been shaken, or you feel more like roommates than partners. You don't need a crisis to begin — earlier support often makes change easier. The aim is a clearer understanding of what's happening between you and a practical way forward.

Yes. Counselling can still help when one partner attends alone — you can work on your own responses, clarify what you want, and often shift the relationship dynamic from your side. Many couples begin with one partner, and the other joins once they see it's a fair, non-blaming space.

Not necessarily. Couple work often mixes joint sessions with occasional individual ones, depending on what's most useful at each stage. Dr. Kohli advises on the right mix as the work progresses, and the 75-minute session is designed so each partner gets individual time within a single sitting.

Yes. Counselling gives couples a structured way to process the hurt, understand what happened, and decide whether and how to rebuild trust. It doesn't excuse what occurred; it helps both partners make a clear, informed choice about the future rather than staying stuck in the aftermath.

Yes. In-law tension is one of the most common pressures on Indian marriages, and counselling helps couples set healthy boundaries while staying respectful of family. The focus is on uniting the couple's approach so they navigate extended-family expectations as a team.

Yes. Pre-marital counselling helps couples build a strong foundation before marriage — aligning on expectations, communication, finances, family, and how they'll handle differences. Dr. Kohli regards it as one of the most valuable and least used forms of relationship support.

Yes. Family counselling helps families navigate conflict, communication breakdowns, parenting challenges, and major transitions, creating space for each member to be heard and for the family to move forward together. Sessions are available in-clinic in Gurugram and online.

Yes. Parents often consult on their own — for guidance on a child's behaviour, parenting strategies, or family dynamics — without the child present. Dr. Kohli will advise if and when involving the child or other family members would help.

Yes. Counselling helps ease recurring conflict between parents and teenagers by improving communication and understanding on both sides. Dr. Kohli works in a way suited to a teenager's age and comfort, and can guide parents separately too.

Yes. Dr. Kohli works with adolescents on concerns such as anxiety, low mood, academic and peer pressure, self-esteem, and family relationships, in an approach suited to their age and comfort. Parents can also consult her for guidance on supporting a teenager.

Yes. Dr. Kohli consults online with clients across India and internationally, by secure video or audio call, in English or Hindi. Online sessions carry the same fees as in-clinic sessions and are available worldwide.

For many common concerns — anxiety, depression, and stress — the American Psychological Association notes that teletherapy delivered by video or phone has been shown to have outcomes similar to in-person sessions, provided you have privacy and a stable connection. Some situations are better suited to in-clinic work, and Dr. Kohli will tell you if that's the case for you.

Yes — NRI mental health is one of Dr. Kohli's core specialities. She works regularly with the Indian diaspora across the US, UK, Canada, Australia, the Middle East, and beyond, through secure online sessions scheduled around different time zones, in English or Hindi. You can read more on the NRI mental health page.

Dr. Kohli sees online clients worldwide, with regular work across the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and the Middle East. Sessions are scheduled around time zones and held in English or Hindi.

Sessions are scheduled to suit your local time zone, so clients in North America, Europe, the Gulf, or Australia can book a slot that works for them. When you reach out, the clinic confirms a mutually convenient time, including outside standard India hours where needed.

Online counselling with an India-based clinical psychologist is widely used by NRIs and the diaspora, and is conducted by secure video or audio call. If you have a clinical situation that needs local emergency or in-person medical care, Dr. Kohli will advise you to also connect with services where you live, so support is appropriate to your location.

Yes. Moving abroad can bring isolation, identity questions, homesickness, and the strain of adapting to a new culture while staying connected to family back home. Counselling offers a supportive, understanding space to work through these challenges — particularly valuable when you're far from your usual support network.

Yes. Online sessions can bring together family members or couples located in different countries, which is especially helpful for families separated by migration, or for couples in long-distance or cross-border relationships. Dr. Kohli schedules around time zones so everyone can attend together.

Yes. You can move between online and in-clinic sessions as your needs or circumstances change — for instance, starting online and meeting in person when you're in Gurugram, or the reverse. Continuity of care is maintained either way.

Yes. These are among the most common reasons people seek support. Dr. Kohli works with individuals on anxiety, depression, chronic stress, and workplace burnout, helping them understand what's driving it and build practical, lasting ways to cope and recover.

Stress is usually a response to a specific external pressure and eases once the pressure lifts. Anxiety is more about anticipated threat — worry about what might happen — and can persist even when nothing is obviously wrong. The two often feed each other. When either starts affecting your sleep, health, or daily life, it's worth speaking to a professional. Dr. Kohli covers this in depth on the anxiety counselling page.

In the moment, slow your breathing with longer out-breaths than in-breaths, and ground your attention in your senses — this signals safety to your nervous system. Panic attacks are frightening but very treatable: counselling reduces how often they strike by addressing what drives them and easing the fear of the fear itself.

Depression often shows up as prolonged low mood, hopelessness, loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, changes in sleep or appetite, low energy, and difficulty concentrating — lasting beyond an occasional bad patch. If these persist for weeks and affect daily life, it's worth speaking to a clinical psychologist, who can help you understand what's happening and recover through evidence-based therapy. If you're struggling, please know support is available and you don't have to manage it alone.

Sadness is a normal, temporary response to a specific event and lifts on its own. Depression is a persistent clinical condition — low mood, loss of interest, and changes in sleep, appetite, and energy lasting two weeks or more — that affects how you think, feel, and function. Depression responds well to skilled psychological treatment, so if this sounds familiar, it's worth reaching out.

Ordinary stress usually eases once the pressure passes. Burnout is what happens when stress goes unrelieved for too long — a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion, often with cynicism about work and a sense that nothing you do is enough. It rarely resolves on its own; it needs the pace and the patterns underneath to change. Counselling helps you recover in a way that lasts.

PTSD symptoms include intrusive memories or flashbacks of a traumatic event, nightmares, avoiding reminders, feeling constantly on edge or hypervigilant, and emotional numbness. They can appear soon after the event or months later. PTSD is treatable, and skilled therapy helps the nervous system settle and the memories lose their grip over time.

Yes. Dr. Kohli supports people facing disordered eating and substance dependency with sensitivity and without judgement, working within a coordinated care team where medical input is needed. The focus is on understanding the patterns and underlying distress, and building a path toward recovery.

Yes. Counselling offers steady support through low self-worth, grief and loss, and the big transitions that unsettle us — career change, relocation, separation, or a new stage of life. Dr. Kohli helps you make sense of what you're feeling and move forward at a pace that feels manageable.

Dr. Kohli's clinic is at NR 36, Nathupur Road, near Neelkanth Hospital, DLF Phase 3, Sector 24, Gurugram, Haryana 122002. Sessions are by appointment, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, seven days a week. Online consultations are available worldwide, in English or Hindi.

Sessions are priced by duration: ₹6,000 for 30 minutes, ₹10,000 for 60 minutes, and ₹15,000 for 75 minutes. The 75-minute session is open to everyone and is especially suited to couple and family counselling, where more than one person attends and each needs individual time. The same rates apply in-clinic and online.

A 30- or 60-minute session suits most individual concerns, while the 75-minute session is best when a couple or family attends, as it allows individual time for each person within one sitting — and it's equally suited to an individual who simply wants a longer, deeper session. If you're unsure, the clinic can advise based on what you'd like to work on.

Yes. The same rates apply whether you meet Dr. Kohli in-clinic in Gurugram or online — ₹6,000 for 30 minutes, ₹10,000 for 60 minutes, and ₹15,000 for 75 minutes — so you can choose whichever format suits you without a cost difference.

The clinic supports online payment, and the team confirms the available methods when you book. For NRI and international clients, online payment makes scheduling sessions across time zones straightforward.

You can book through the website or contact the clinic directly on +91 98118 62338, which is also on WhatsApp. New clients are welcome for both in-clinic and online sessions, available by appointment from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, seven days a week.

Yes. You can message the clinic on WhatsApp at +91 98118 62338 to ask a question or arrange an appointment — often the quickest way to confirm a slot for in-clinic or online sessions.

Yes — Dr. Kohli is currently accepting new clients for both in-clinic and online sessions. Waiting time varies with demand, but the practice aims to see new clients promptly and will share the earliest available slots — mornings, afternoons, or evenings — when you reach out.

Dr. Kohli's practice provides scheduled counselling by appointment rather than 24/7 emergency or crisis care. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or crisis, please contact your local emergency services right away. For ongoing, non-emergency support, you're warmly welcome to book a session.

To reschedule or cancel, please contact the clinic as early as you can on +91 98118 62338, so your slot can be offered to someone else and a new time arranged. Full terms are set out in the clinic's policies on the website.

Yes. What you share stays private between you and Dr. Kohli. As in all professional psychological practice, confidentiality has narrow legal and ethical limits — such as a serious risk of harm to you or another person — and these are explained at the start so you always know where you stand.

Yes. Online sessions are held by secure video or audio call with the same confidentiality as in-clinic work. For your part, choosing a private, quiet space with a stable connection helps keep the session safe and uninterrupted.

No. Your sessions and what you share are confidential, and that privacy is explained clearly at the outset. The narrow exceptions that apply in all professional practice relate only to serious safety risks — never to routine disclosure to family or employers.