Counseling in Nepal : Past, Present and Future

The Evolution of Counseling in Nepal: Past, Present, and Future

Counseling in Nepal has come a long way since its inception in the early 1990s. This article explores the history, current state, and future prospects of counseling in this Himalayan nation, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities in the field.

The Birth of Counseling in Nepal

The trajectory of counseling in Nepal can be traced back to the early 1990s, marking a significant turning point in the country’s approach to mental health. The catalyst for this development was the influx of Nepali-speaking Bhutanese refugees between 1993 and 1996[2]. As approximately 80,000 refugees sought shelter in Nepal, the need for emotional support became evident, prompting the host country to recognize the importance of counseling services[2].

During this period, Mr. Bhava Poudyal, a psychology student at Tribhuvan University, pioneered counseling efforts in refugee camps[2]. This marked the first milestone in the development of counseling in Nepal, highlighting the critical role of mental health support in crisis situations.

Milestones in Nepal’s Counseling History

The evolution of counseling in Nepal has been marked by several key developments:

Mental Health Policy: In 1996, Nepal passed its first mental health policies, acknowledging the importance of mental health care[2].
Para-counselors: The concept of para-counselors emerged, with individuals receiving 4-5 months of psychosocial training to provide basic emotional support[2].
Internal Conflict: The decade-long internal conflict from 1996 to 2006 highlighted the crucial role of para-counselors in addressing psychosocial and mental health issues[2].
Earthquake Response: The 2015 earthquake further emphasized the need for counseling services, as many people were both physically and mentally affected[2].

Current State of Counseling in Nepal

Today, counseling in Nepal has made significant strides, but challenges remain:

Increased Awareness: There’s a growing recognition of mental health issues, particularly among youth[5].
Diverse Services: Various forms of counseling are now available, including individual, child and adolescent, marriage and family, career, and substance abuse counseling[24].
Professional Development: The number of mental health professionals has increased, with over 200 psychiatrists and 1000 government health professionals trained in mental health[3][16].
Community Programs: Organizations like CMC-Nepal have developed community mental health programs and school mental health initiatives[3].

Challenges in the Counseling Field

Despite progress, Nepal’s counseling sector faces several hurdles:

Limited Resources: There’s a significant shortage of mental health professionals, with only 144 psychiatrists and around 30 psychologists in private practice[36].
Geographical Barriers: Mental health services are concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural populations underserved[5].
Stigma: Mental health issues are still stigmatized, particularly in rural areas[27].
Lack of Regulation: There’s no regulatory board for mental health professionals, leading to potential malpractice issues[36].

Future Possibilities for Counseling in Nepal

Looking ahead, the future of counseling in Nepal holds promise:

Government Initiatives: The government plans to introduce mental health services in certain state-run institutions[36].
Online Counseling: The rise of telepsychology services is making mental health support more accessible[8].
Educational Integration: Efforts are being made to incorporate guidance and counseling into school curricula[34].
Community-Based Programs: There’s potential for expanding community-based mental health programs to reach more people[5].
Professional Training: Increased focus on training and regulating mental health professionals could improve service quality[36].

As Nepal continues to develop its counseling services, the focus will likely be on increasing accessibility, reducing stigma, and improving the quality of care. With continued efforts from both government and non-government organizations, counseling in Nepal has the potential to play a crucial role in improving the mental health and well-being of its population.

Read more articles on Counseling and Mental Health in our Blog Section.

References for more reading:
[1] https://cmcnepal.org.np
[2] https://www.rojimaharjan.com/2019/06/counseling-history-in-nepal.html
[3] https://www.mhinnovation.net/organisations/centre-mental-health-counselling-nepal-cmc-nepal
[4] https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/nepal-needs-a-licensing-body-for-counseling-and-therapy-in-mental-health
[5] https://kathmandupost.com/national/2025/01/10/as-mental-health-issues-become-rife-youths-are-tackling-it-more-openly
[6] https://psychologynepal.com/blog/mental-health-in-nepal/
[7] https://www.coursehero.com/file/226190305/1-History-of-Counseling-Psychology-in-Nepal-Pujan-Bhetwalpdf/
[8] https://therapyhelpers.com/blog/online-therapy-nepal/
[9] http://sciencenpsychology.blogspot.com/2018/03/history-of-counselling-in-nepal.html
[10] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4331482/
[11] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9811379/
[12] https://trichandracampus.edu.np/academic_department/department-of-pshychology-philosophy/
[13] https://journals.lww.com/indianjpsychiatry/fulltext/2023/65110/insights_on_historical_milestones_of_mental_health.5.aspx
[14] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225558486_Psychosocial_Counselling_in_Nepal_Perspectives_of_Counsellors_and_Beneficiaries
[15] https://cmcnepal.org.np/child-mental-health-program/
[16] https://www.mhinnovation.net/organisations/centre-mental-health-counselling-nepal-cmc-nepal
[17] https://nepalmentalhealth.com
[18] https://www.jobsnepal.com/psychosocial-counselor-136286
[19] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8274424/
[20] https://nepalyouthfoundation.org/program/ankur-counseling-center/
[21] https://www.endslaverynow.org/centre-for-mental-health-and-counselling-nepal
[22] https://cmcnepal.org.np
[23] https://www.volunteerfdip.org/volunteer-opportunities-in-psychology-clinic
[24] https://cmcsnepal.com.np/quality-psychological-counseling-services/counseling-and-therapies/
[25] https://cmcnepal.org.np/our-services/services/psycho-social-counselling-service/
[26] https://cmcnepal.org.np/enhancing-mental-health-wellbeing-of-the-migrant-workers-and-their-families-mar-2022-to-dec-2025/
[27] https://www.umn.org.np/mh-faq/
[28] https://conferencealerts.co.in/nepal/mental-health
[29] https://www.coursehero.com/file/226190305/1-History-of-Counseling-Psychology-in-Nepal-Pujan-Bhetwalpdf/
[30] https://nepalitimes.com/latest/tackling-nepals-mental-health-pandemic
[31] https://www.reddit.com/r/Nepal/comments/gcko40/possible_career_change_want_to_study_to_become_a/
[32] https://www.facebook.com/globaleducc/photos/%F0%9D%90%87%F0%9D%90%9A%F0%9D%90%A9%F0%9D%90%A9%F0%9D%90%B2-%F0%9D%90%8D%F0%9D%90%9E%F0%9D%90%B0-%F0%9D%90%98%F0%9D%90%9E%F0%9D%90%9A%F0%9D%90%AB-%F0%9D%9F%90%F0%9D%9F%8E%F0%9D%9F%90%F0%9D%9F%93-as-2025-begins-were-excited-to-continue-serving-you-excellen/994338116042863/
[33] https://www.nepjol.info/index.php/JPAN/article/view/9717/7985
[34] https://unlimited.hamk.fi/ammatillinen-osaaminen-ja-opetus/developing-guidance-and-counselling-in-nepal/
[35] https://cmcsnepal.com.np
[36] https://kathmandupost.com/health/2023/07/22/mental-health-patients-in-nepal-suffer-due-to-shortage-of-qualified-experts
[37] https://mankaakura.com