If you are considering therapy, one of your first questions may be: How much does therapy cost in Bangladesh?
There is no single fixed fee for counseling or psychotherapy. The cost depends on the professional's qualifications, clinical experience, area of specialisation, session duration, and whether you need an assessment, follow-up, couple session, or psychiatric consultation.
At iSELF, a psychologist's 60-minute follow-up session currently starts from BDT 1,500. A 90-minute psychological assessment ranges from BDT 2,000 to BDT 5,000, while couple counseling ranges from BDT 3,000 to BDT 6,000. This guide explains the current therapy cost at iSELF, the difference between available services, and what to consider before booking a mental health appointment in Bangladesh.
Therapy Cost at iSELF
The following ranges are based on iSELF's updated fee structure as of September 2026. The applicable fee depends on the selected professional and service.
Psychologist and Psychotherapy Fees
| Type of session | Duration | Fee range |
|---|---|---|
| Initial assessment session | 90 minutes | BDT 2,000-5,000 |
| Follow-up therapy session | 60 minutes | BDT 1,500-4,500 |
| Couple counseling session | Provider-dependent | BDT 3,000-6,000 |
An assessment session is longer because the psychologist needs time to understand the client's current concerns, relevant history, symptoms, risks, strengths, expectations, and therapy goals. Follow-up sessions focus more directly on therapeutic work, progress monitoring, skill development, and the agreed treatment plan.
Psychiatrist Consultation Fees
| Type of session | Duration | Fee range |
|---|---|---|
| Psychiatric assessment | 90 minutes | BDT 3,500-5,500 |
| Follow-up consultation | 60 minutes | BDT 3,000-5,000 |
| Follow-up consultation | 30 minutes | BDT 2,500-4,500 |
| Brief follow-up consultation | 15 minutes | BDT 2,000-4,000 |
Psychiatric fees vary according to the doctor and consultation duration. A longer initial assessment may be necessary to understand symptoms, medical history, medication history, safety concerns, and possible diagnoses. Always confirm the final fee with the iSELF booking team before scheduling an appointment.
Why Do Therapy Fees Vary in Bangladesh?
Two professionals may charge different fees even when they work at the same mental health centre. Several factors influence the cost.
Professional qualifications
Clinical psychologists, counseling psychologists, psychotherapists, counselors, and psychiatrists have different training pathways and scopes of practice. A professional with advanced clinical training and supervised experience may charge more than an early-career practitioner. Before booking, check the professional's qualifications and whether their training is appropriate for your concern.
Clinical experience
A professional with many years of clinical experience may have worked with a broader range of psychological conditions and complex situations. At iSELF, clients can choose a professional based on their needs, preferred experience level, availability, and budget.
Area of specialisation
Some concerns require specialised assessment or therapeutic training. These may include obsessive-compulsive disorder, trauma, panic disorder, adult ADHD, personality-related difficulties, couple problems, child and adolescent concerns, or complex depression and anxiety. Approaches such as EMDR, ERP, DBT, schema therapy, and structured couple therapy may require additional professional training.
Type and duration of the session
A 90-minute assessment costs more than a regular follow-up because it requires additional clinical time. Couple sessions may also cost more because the therapist works with two people, their individual perspectives, and the interaction between them. Psychiatrists may offer 15, 30, or 60-minute follow-ups depending on clinical need.
Assessment Session and Follow-Up Session
Initial assessment session
The initial assessment is usually the first detailed meeting with a psychologist or psychiatrist. During a psychological assessment, the professional may explore:
- Your current concerns and when they started
- Effects on work, study, sleep, relationships, and daily functioning
- Previous psychological or psychiatric treatment
- Relevant personal, medical, and family history
- Current medication, if applicable
- Safety concerns
- Personal strengths and support systems
- Your goals and expectations from therapy
At iSELF, a psychologist's assessment session usually lasts 90 minutes and costs between BDT 2,000 and BDT 5,000.
Follow-up therapy session
Follow-up sessions focus on the agreed goals. Depending on the client's needs, they may include emotional processing, identifying patterns, cognitive and behavioural work, exposure exercises, mindfulness, relationship work, or practical coping skills.
A psychologist's 60-minute follow-up session at iSELF costs between BDT 1,500 and BDT 4,500. The therapeutic method should be selected according to an individual assessment rather than chosen only from a list of techniques.
Couple Counseling Cost in Bangladesh
Couple counseling involves more than listening to two individual stories. The therapist needs to understand the relationship pattern, communication cycle, emotional injuries, expectations, conflict-management style, and the contribution of each partner.
At iSELF, couple counseling currently costs BDT 3,000 to BDT 6,000 per session, depending on the psychologist.
Couple counseling may help with repeated arguments, communication difficulties, emotional distance, trust concerns, intimacy difficulties, adjustment after marriage, family pressure, parenting disagreements, or separation-related decisions. The therapist may first determine whether joint sessions, individual assessment sessions, or a combination of both would be most appropriate.
Psychologist or Psychiatrist: Which Service Do You Need?
Psychologist
A psychologist primarily provides psychological assessment, counseling, and psychotherapy. A psychologist may help with anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, panic attacks, relationship problems, stress, anger, grief, low self-esteem, and other psychological difficulties.
Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor specialising in mental health. A psychiatrist can assess mental health conditions, prescribe medication, monitor side effects, and adjust medication when clinically necessary.
Some people may need psychotherapy, some may need psychiatric treatment, and others may benefit from coordinated support from both professionals. Booking a psychiatrist does not automatically mean medication will be prescribed; that decision should follow an appropriate clinical evaluation.
You can review the available mental health specialists at iSELF before requesting an appointment.
Is Online Therapy Less Expensive?
Online therapy can reduce indirect expenses such as transportation, parking, travel time, and time away from work or study. However, an online session is not necessarily cheaper than an in-person session. The psychologist still provides professional time, clinical responsibility, preparation, documentation, and therapeutic support.
Clients should confirm the applicable online or in-person fee with the booking team. A discount should not be assumed unless it is specifically offered for that service.
Online therapy may be helpful if you live outside Dhaka or Bangladesh, travelling regularly is difficult, you have a private place for sessions, or your preferred psychologist is not available at a nearby branch.
Online therapy may not be appropriate for every situation. Significant safety risks, certain assessments, medical emergencies, or conditions requiring direct observation may need in-person or emergency support.
How Many Therapy Sessions Will You Need?
No responsible mental health professional can guarantee an exact number of sessions before assessing the client. Some people need short-term support for a specific concern. Others may require longer-term psychotherapy for longstanding trauma, recurring depression, OCD, complex relationship patterns, personality difficulties, or multiple mental health concerns.
The required number of sessions may depend on:
- The nature and severity of the concern
- How long the problem has been present
- The client's therapy goals
- Safety risks and co-occurring conditions
- The selected therapeutic approach
- Attendance and participation between sessions
- The client's response to therapy
After the assessment, the psychologist should explain a preliminary plan. Goals and progress should be reviewed periodically rather than continuing sessions without a clear clinical purpose.
How to Choose a Therapist Within Your Budget
The most expensive professional is not automatically the best match for every client. Similarly, selecting a therapist only because the fee is low may not provide the right clinical support.
- Check the professional's academic and clinical qualifications.
- Ask whether the psychologist has experience with your concern.
- Confirm the session type, duration, and complete fee.
- Understand the confidentiality and cancellation policies.
- Consider whether you feel heard, respected, and emotionally safe.
- Ask how therapy goals and progress will be reviewed.
- Choose a fee level that you can sustain if follow-up is recommended.
Questions to Ask Before Booking Therapy
- What are the professional's qualifications?
- Does the psychologist work with my concern?
- Is this an assessment or follow-up session?
- How long will the appointment last?
- What is the complete fee?
- Is the appointment online or in person?
- Does the couple-session fee differ from the individual-session fee?
- Are psychological tests or reports charged separately?
- What is the cancellation or rescheduling policy?
- Is psychiatric consultation available if a medication assessment is needed?
Accessing Therapy at iSELF
iSELF provides online and in-person mental health services through psychologists, psychotherapists, counselors, and psychiatrists with different levels of experience and areas of specialisation.
In-person mental health services are available in Dhanmondi, Banani, Mirpur, and Uttara. Because iSELF offers professionals across different fee levels, clients may discuss their concern, preferred experience level, location, availability, and budget with the booking team.
Request an appointment with iSELF to learn which available professional and session type may be suitable for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the therapy cost at iSELF?
A psychologist's 90-minute assessment costs between BDT 2,000 and BDT 5,000. A 60-minute follow-up therapy session costs between BDT 1,500 and BDT 4,500.
How much does couple counseling cost at iSELF?
Couple counseling currently costs between BDT 3,000 and BDT 6,000 per session, depending on the psychologist.
What is the psychiatrist consultation fee at iSELF?
A 90-minute psychiatric assessment costs between BDT 3,500 and BDT 5,500. Follow-up consultation fees range from BDT 2,000 to BDT 5,000, depending on the psychiatrist and session duration.
Why is an assessment session more expensive?
An assessment session is longer and involves a detailed evaluation of symptoms, history, functioning, risks, strengths, and treatment needs. It usually forms the basis of the therapy or treatment plan.
Does iSELF provide affordable therapy options?
iSELF offers psychologists at different experience and fee levels. Psychologist follow-up sessions currently start from BDT 1,500, subject to professional availability.
Are online and offline therapy fees the same?
The applicable fee may depend on the professional and service. Confirm the exact online or in-person fee with the booking team rather than assuming a discount.
Are psychological assessments included in the therapy fee?
A clinical interview may be included in the assessment session. Standardised psychological tests, detailed reports, certificates, or other documentation may involve separate charges. Confirm this before the assessment.
How many therapy sessions will I need?
The number of sessions depends on the concern, its severity and duration, personal goals, and response to treatment. A preliminary plan can be discussed after the initial assessment.
Fee information is based on iSELF's September 2026 fee structure and may be updated. Confirm the professional, session type, duration, and final fee when booking. This article provides general information and does not replace an individual psychological or medical assessment. If someone is at immediate risk of harm, contact an emergency service or go to the nearest hospital.
