How we verify therapists

Every therapist must provide an active registration number with a recognised body — RCI (India), HCPC (UK), APA-affiliated state board (US), or an equivalent in their country. We look it up directly with the council's public register before approval. If the registration lapses or is revoked, the profile is hidden the same day.

We verify a government photo ID against the name on the licence. We sight original copies of the highest mental-health qualification claimed (Master's in Clinical/Counselling Psychology, MD Psychiatry, MSW, accredited counselling diploma, etc.) and record the institution and year.

Specialties shown on a profile (e.g. trauma, anxiety, couples, LGBTQIA+ affirmative) must be supported by training certificates or documented supervised hours. Language fluency claims are confirmed in a short conversation with a native speaker on our team.

We require two professional references — typically a supervisor and a peer — and a self-declaration of any past complaints or sanctions. Where local law allows, we run a basic background check.

Before a profile goes live a member of our clinical team meets the therapist over video. We discuss safeguarding, our crisis protocol, boundaries on advice, and confirm they understand Saantvana is not a substitute for emergency care.

A green Verified badge means the therapist has passed every step above and was approved by a named admin. The verification date is recorded against the profile and is auditable internally.

It does not mean Saantvana endorses a specific approach or guarantees outcomes — therapy is a relationship, and the right fit is personal. If something feels off in a session, you can end it any time and report it from the booking page.

We re-check every active therapist's council registration every 12 months and after any reported concern. Therapists must notify us within 7 days of any change to their licence status.

If you have a concern about a therapist on Saantvana, write to safety@saantvana.app. We acknowledge within 24 hours and investigate every report. Serious safeguarding concerns are escalated to the relevant council.