Dear Therapist, You are competing with a Jyotishi !!!

This past weekend, I was going through the latest report by Blume Ventures . One trend really stood out to me: while the use of mental health apps has stayed pretty steady, there’s been a notable increase in how many people in India are turning to astrology for support with their emotional and mental health challenges.

It's fascinating to see this shift. While people in big cities are slowly warming up to therapy, a huge chunk of the population—mostly from tier 2 and tier 3 towns —still avoids it. For them, therapy feels like something only the rich or “problematic” people need. Add to that the stigma around mental health, and it’s no surprise that they’re not booking therapy sessions anytime soon. But they’re not ignoring their emotional struggles. They’re just going to their local astrologer more famously known as jyotishi.

Astrology has always been a big part of Indian culture, and now it’s stepping into the mental health space. The new-age Astro platforms are making it even easier for people to talk about their problems under the safe, familiar umbrella of astrology. And guess what? It’s working. People feel comfortable opening up because astrology doesn’t carry the same stigma as therapy. It’s culturally accepted, and for many, it feels like a natural way to seek guidance. Plus, it’s affordable.

This whole trend is a wake-up call for mental health organisations. The rise of astrology-based counselling shows that you can’t just copy-paste solutions from the West and expect them to work here. You need to understand the cultural and social context of your audience. Instead of trying to change people’s beliefs, why not align your services with them? Build trust by using methods that feel familiar and safe. And use technology to make your services affordable and scalable.

Astrology-based counselling of course cannot replace traditional therapy, but it’s definitely opening the door for people who wouldn’t otherwise seek help. Over time, as awareness grows, these users might become more open to other forms of mental health support. The key is to meet people where they are—culturally, socially, and economically.

So, dear therapist, the next time you wonder why your potential clients aren’t showing up, remember this: they might just be on a call with their local jyotishi, finding comfort in the stars.

The future of mental health in India is for sure is going to be as diverse and dynamic as the country itself. And that’s something to be excited about.