How to find a Kannada-speaking psychiatrist online
Look for a registered psychiatrist who lists Kannada, check their registration on the National Medical Commission register, and ask about the concern you want help with, how video consultations work and what follow-up looks like. At Mindly, three psychiatrists list Kannada. None of our clinical psychologists does yet.
Last updated 2 November 2026
Why the language of the consultation matters
Most people describe pain, fear and sadness best in the language they grew up with. In Kannada the everyday words for distress, such as chinte for worry, do not always match the English terms a clinician uses, and a person can feel misunderstood if they have to translate themselves. A psychiatrist who speaks Kannada can ask follow-up questions in the same words, notice shades of meaning and explain the diagnosis and medicine so that you and your family understand.
Many people in Karnataka use Kannada at home and English or Hindi at work, and mix them in one sentence. That is normal, and a good clinician will follow your lead. What matters is that you can say what you mean, and that you leave knowing what was said.
Check that the doctor is registered
A psychiatrist in India should be a registered medical practitioner with a postgraduate qualification in psychiatry, such as an MD or DNB in Psychiatry, or a Diploma in Psychological Medicine. You can check a doctor on the National Medical Register maintained by the National Medical Commission, and state medical councils keep their own registers, including the Karnataka Medical Council. Ask for the registration number if it is not shown. Clinical psychologists are registered with the Rehabilitation Council of India. A reputable service will give you these details without being asked twice.
What to ask before you book
- Which languages does the clinician consult in, and is Kannada one of them?
- Do they treat the concern I have, such as anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD or trauma?
- How does the video consultation work, and what happens if my connection drops?
- How are prescriptions handled, and how will follow-up be arranged?
- How is my information stored, and who can see it?
- What happens in an emergency?
The Telemedicine Practice Guidelines, 2020 allow registered doctors to consult and prescribe by video, within limits. A clear answer to the questions above is a good sign.
Who at Mindly consults in Kannada
Three Mindly psychiatrists list Kannada: Dr. Divya Gurunathan, Dr. Pooja Rani and Dr. Samarth S Shetty. Together they list anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, trauma and psychosis among the concerns they treat. You can see exactly who treats what on the pages for anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, trauma and psychosis.
We want to be plain about one gap. None of our clinical psychologists lists Kannada at the moment. If you want talk therapy and Kannada matters to you, you can see a Kannada-speaking psychiatrist, who may offer supportive therapy alongside assessment, or have therapy in English or Hindi with a psychologist. We would rather say this than promise something we cannot offer.
Involving your family
In many families in Karnataka, decisions about health are shared. If you want a parent, partner or sibling to hear the explanation in Kannada, tell us when you book, and they can join part of the video call with your agreement. Some people prefer to see a psychiatrist on their own first and share the outcome later. Both are fine, and your consultation stays confidential either way.
If someone else is asking on your behalf, for example a parent calling about an adult child, our team will explain what we can discuss without the person present and what needs their consent. We do not share information about an adult without their agreement, except in rare situations where there is a serious risk to safety.
If you cannot find the right match
If no Kannada-speaking clinician is available at a time that suits you, you have choices. You can wait for a slot, you can consult in English or Hindi and ask the clinician to explain key terms in Kannada, or you can bring a trusted relative to help. None of these is ideal, and we would rather you know in advance than discover it on the day. The most important thing is that you are heard and that you understand the plan.
What happens when you book
The first step is a free pre-consultation call. Our team asks what you would like help with, takes a short history and notes that you prefer Kannada. We then match you to a clinician and a time. We cannot promise a specific person, and because only three psychiatrists list Kannada, availability can be limited. If the timing does not suit you, we will say so and explain the options.
Your first consultation is a conversation: your psychiatrist listens, asks about symptoms, sleep, work and health, explains what they think is happening and sets out options. If you want to understand more first, the Kannada page and the Kannada depression page explain the basics in Kannada.
If you live outside Karnataka
Online consultation does not depend on where you live in India. Many Kannada speakers live in other states and want to explain things in their first language. You consult by video from wherever you are, and any tests are done at a laboratory near you. If someone is in immediate danger, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital, and for free support at any hour call Tele-MANAS on 14416.
How to start
- Call or message us. Reach us on +91 90352 54779 or WhatsApp. Tell us your language and a convenient time.
- Free pre-consultation call. Our team takes your history and prepares a report for your clinician, so you do not repeat yourself.
- Video session. You meet your allotted clinician online, from home or wherever you feel comfortable.
- Your plan. The clinician explains what they find and the next steps. You decide together.
Book your free pre-consultation call
Your privacy and confidentiality. What you share with Mindly Health stays between you and your care team. Your conversations, reports and messages are treated as confidential and shared only with the team members involved in your care, apart from the limited cases where the law requires it or someone's safety is at serious risk. Read our Privacy Policy and your rights under the Mental Healthcare Act.
Common questions
Can I get a prescription from a video consultation?
Where it is clinically appropriate and permitted, yes. Your psychiatrist follows the Telemedicine Practice Guidelines, 2020, and will tell you what can and cannot be prescribed by video.
Is there a Kannada-speaking psychologist at Mindly?
Not at the moment. Our three Kannada-speaking clinicians are psychiatrists. Therapy with a psychologist is available in English, Hindi and Malayalam.
Can I switch between Kannada and English in one consultation?
Yes. Most people do, and your psychiatrist will follow how you naturally speak.
How do I check a doctor is genuine?
Look up the registration number on the National Medical Register or the state medical council. Do not rely on a profile alone.
Related
- Kannada-speaking psychiatrist online
- Kannada-speaking clinicians for depression
- Online psychiatrist in Bengaluru
- Is online psychiatry legal in India?
- What ERP therapy for OCD involves
- ADHD medication: seven myths, and what we know
Sources
- Telemedicine Practice Guidelines, 2020 (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)
- National Medical Commission (India)
- Rehabilitation Council of India
- National Mental Health Survey of India, 2015-16: summary (NIMHANS)
Mindly Health is not an emergency service. If someone is in immediate danger, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital. For free support at any hour, call Tele-MANAS on 14416.