When one of the most important, yet one of the most neglected fields in our country meets people who aim to seek profit from it, who is to act against it, and how many suffer under improper guidance? A growing number of people claiming to be a “psychologist” or psychotherapist” can be found in every corner of Nepal. With political instability and being a developing nation, Nepal has a lot on its plate, so a topic this delicate and which needs a higher level of research goes completely unnoticed, and on the other end of the knife, fall the people who need expert medical help and support.

No Clinical Psychology, No Law, No Accountability

Nepal Medical Council (NMC), which governs medical professionals in the country, has not formally recognized clinical psychologists, leaving a gap in oversight. Meaning that there are no certain criteria that qualify for a psychologist. Psychologists and therapists often register themselves under loosely defined categories, most of the time as counselors, sometimes as alternative healers. There is no specific psychology council, and the few regulatory bodies in place are either inactive or ineffective.

Short-term certifications, such as a 5-day CBT course or a 1 to 6-month counseling diploma, are being used to justify clinical-level practices, including diagnosis and treatment. One of the few treatments available that uses hypnosis, offered without proper checks or evidence-based backing. Yet, these minimal qualifications are enough for practitioners to begin treating complex disorders like borderline personality disorder (BPD), Depression, and Anxiety, often based solely on self-training or with a couple of months of a diploma.

Who Can Question Them?

“Who is to stop them?” There is no proper association. If a client is misdiagnosed, there’s no legal pathway to hold so-called healers accountable.

While serious mental health conditions require thorough assessments, including proper standardized testing and often medical intervention, many so-called professionals in Nepal skip this step altogether. “Some rely purely on intuition or outdated models, while others throw around Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) terms without understanding them fully.”

For example, one of my close friends attempted suicide, and while she was in recovery, her doctor dismissed the need for therapy, saying that medication alone would be enough. Is that unethical? Someone who has attempted to kill themself needs proper therapy sessions and

regular diagnostic assessments to ensure they’re truly getting better; without that, there’s always a risk they might attempt it again.

A Business, not a Service

Mental health support in Nepal has become more of a business-oriented rather than service- driven. In many clinics, sessions cost thousands of rupees per hour with no standardization of “The Care“. “It’s a calamity when something so sensitive and serious becomes just another unchecked business model,” says a clinical psychologist who chose to remain anonymous due to fear of backlash from peers.

Where is the Regulation?

Countries with developed mental health systems have established licensing bodies, regular audits, and a strong priority on evidence-based practice. In Nepal, however, psychology remains in an academic bubble. Outside of a couple university departments, there is little to no research, training infrastructure, or government support.

While there has been some discussion about building a regulatory structure, progress has been slow or not at all. A proposed council for mental health professionals has been “in talk” for years, but administration is yet to begin.

The Risk of The Client

For people who are seeking help, the consequences can be grave. Misdiagnosis, emotional harm, and unethical practices are all risks in an unregulated space. For vulnerable individuals dealing with trauma and mental disorders, such malpractice can worsen their condition.

What needs to be changed?    

1. Creating a National Psychology Council to license, monitor, and regulate practice.
2. Minimum educational standards to require a master’s degree with clinical training.
3. Strict penalties for malpractice and unlicensed practice.
4. Integration with the healthcare system, recognizing psychologists and clinical psychologists in national health policies.

Until then, the people of Nepal remain at the mercy of an invisible system, one that risks turning healing into harm.

-Article by Evan Subedi (The Student of Psychology)