#HowToMentalHealth: How to Search for Clinical Psychologists on the RCI website

This article explains how to search for clinical psychologists on the RCI website as part of Nolmë Labs ongoing series on #HowToMentalHealth, where we foster mental health literacy through simple explainers.

Understanding Key Terms

1. Clinical Psychologist (As per the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017): A clinical psychologist is a mental health professional with:

   a. A Master’s degree in Psychology or Clinical Psychology and

   b. An M.Phil. in Clinical Psychology recognized by the RCI.

They are trained to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health disorders using evidence-based psychological interventions. They are different from a Counseling Psychologist or an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist.

2. Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI)?

   The Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) is a statutory body established under the RCI Act, 1992. It is responsible for:

   • Regulating and standardizing training programs for professionals in the field of rehabilitation and special education.

   • Maintaining a Central Rehabilitation Register (CRR) of qualified professionals, including clinical psychologists, rehabilitation counselors, and special educators.

   • Ensuring that only trained and certified professionals provide services in the field of mental health and rehabilitation.

The Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) maintains an online database where you can search for and verify registered clinical psychologists across India. This guide provides easy-to-follow instructions for laypersons to use this portal and understand the key distinctions between mental health professionals.

Here's how you can search for Clinical Psychologists on the RCI website

Step 1: Access the Portal

• Go to the RCI e-Registration Portal: https://rciregistration.nic.in/rehabcouncil/newsearchpage.jsp.

• Choose "Search by State, Category & Qualification"

Access the RCI e-Registration Portal to search a comprehensive list of Clinical Psychologists in India

Step 2: Enter search terms relevant to 'Clinical Psychologist'

a. Select State: Choose your state from the dropdown menu to narrow the search to your geographical area. You can also select multiple states.

b. Select Category: Select "Clinical Psychologist" from the dropdown to filter professionals in this category.

c. Select Qualification: Choose "MPhil Clinical Psychologist" to find practitioners with this specific qualification.

Select 0204-MPhil (Clinical Psychologist) as the qualification for Clinical Psychologists

• After selecting the appropriate options, click the "Submit" button to display a list of registered Clinical Psychologists matching your criteria. If you want to change the criteria, press “back” to take you back to step 2.

After clicking 'submit', a list of clinical psychologists is presented, with details such as their registration number, registration status (active/not active), their qualifications, and contact details

Step 3 Review the Results: 

• The search results will provide details including the practitioner's name, their registration (or CRR) number, and their contact information.

• Ensure that the “Registration Status” says “Active”, as seen in green.

• Review the list to identify a suitable Clinical Psychologist in your area.

Step 4 Contact the Practitioner:

• Finally, you can use the contact information provided to reach out to the Clinical Psychologist for consultation or to inquire further about their services. You may ask the practitioner whether they provide subsidized rates (or sliding scale fees) for their sessions.

By following these steps, you can efficiently locate and connect with a qualified Clinical Psychologist holding an MPhil in Clinical Psychology through the RCI's official website.

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This article is a part of Nolmë Labs ongoing series on #HowToMentalHealth.

Find more such updates under our Mental Health Advocacy Resources page.

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