Check whether the format fits
NIMH describes possible advantages of virtual care, including easier access without travel, alongside challenges such as connection problems and being overheard. Convenience does not make online support suitable for every concern or situation.
Tell the psychologist where you will join from and ask about suitability, the platform, fees and session arrangements. An initial consultation can clarify whether online care, in-person care or another service is a better next step.
Choose a private setting
Use a space where you can speak without being overheard. Headphones can help you hear, but they do not stop someone nearby from hearing your own voice. Consider shared devices, notifications and whether your screen is visible to others.
If privacy at home is not possible, say so before the appointment. Do not join while driving or in another situation that needs your attention. You can ask about alternatives rather than trying to manage an unsuitable setting in silence.
Make a simple connection plan
Check that your device is charged and the connection works. Keep the practice contact details available and agree on what to do if the call drops. A backup plan should be discussed before it is needed.
For the first conversation, a few optional notes can help: what you want to discuss, when the concern began and questions about the process. You do not need to prepare a complete personal history or send sensitive documents through a booking message.
Clarify boundaries and urgent support
Ask how confidentiality is handled, whether sessions are recorded, how contact between appointments works and what to do outside session hours. Do not assume a booking chat is monitored continuously or is a place for emergency care.
Online appointments with Chandni are arranged by prior booking. If there is immediate danger or an urgent need for in-person assessment, contact local emergency services or the appropriate local health service instead of waiting for an online session.
About this guide
Published on the website of Psychologist Chandni Akhenia, M.A. in Clinical Psychology, with 3 years of experience. This is general educational information, not a personalised assessment. The public health references above support the information; their inclusion does not imply endorsement of this practice.
For appointments, visit the Contact page. You can also read session FAQs or learn about Chandni.
Need urgent support?
If there is immediate danger, contact local emergency services. In India, Tele-MANAS is available at 14416. This website and its booking channels are not an emergency service.