Frequently Asked Questions

YouMat is an online mental health platform that connects you with licensed, verified counsellors and psychologists for instant chat, voice, and video sessions. You can also talk to Yumi, our free AI companion, for everyday emotional support. There are no long waitlists — you can start a conversation whenever you need one.

Creating an account is simple. Click the 'Get Started' button, sign up with your Google account or email, and complete your profile. The whole process takes less than 2 minutes.

No app download is required. YouMat works entirely in your web browser on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices. Simply visit youmat.in and log in to access all features.

Yes. Research shows that online counselling can be as effective as in-person therapy for many common concerns such as anxiety, stress, low mood, and relationship difficulties. It also removes barriers like travel, cost, and long waiting times, making it easier to get support consistently.

Browse our counsellor directory and filter by specialty (anxiety, depression, relationships, and more), language, availability, and rating. Each counsellor has a detailed profile with their credentials, experience, and reviews from other users.

Yumi is YouMat's friendly AI companion, built to listen and offer everyday emotional support in a calm, judgement-free space. You can chat with Yumi by text or voice in multiple Indian languages. Yumi offers emotional support and guidance, not professional advice or diagnosis, and can help you decide when it may be time to talk to a licensed human counsellor.

Yes. Chatting with Yumi is free. You only pay per minute when you choose to connect with a licensed human counsellor over chat, voice, or video, and those sessions are billed from your prepaid wallet.

No. Yumi provides emotional support and a space to reflect, but it is not a substitute for professional care, diagnosis, or treatment. When your situation would benefit from a professional, Yumi can help connect you with a verified human counsellor on YouMat. In an emergency, please use our crisis resources or contact local emergency services.

When you find an online counsellor, click 'Chat Now' to send a connection request. Once the counsellor accepts, you'll be connected in real-time. Your wallet is charged per minute of active chat time. You can end the session anytime.

Yes. YouMat supports HD video and voice calls. When a counsellor is online, you can choose between chat, video call, or voice call. Video and voice sessions are also charged per minute.

Absolutely. If you prefer scheduled sessions, you can book appointments with your chosen counsellor. Select an available time slot, and you'll receive reminders before your session.

If there's a technical issue, try reconnecting. Your session timer pauses during disconnections, so you won't be charged for lost time. If problems persist, contact our support team for assistance.

YouMat uses transparent per-minute pricing so you only pay for the time you use. Chat sessions start at ₹10 per minute and voice or video calls at ₹15 per minute, charged from your prepaid wallet. You can top up from as little as ₹100, and talking to Yumi, our AI companion, is free.

YouMat uses a prepaid wallet system. Add funds to your wallet using UPI, cards, or net banking. During sessions, your wallet is charged per minute based on the counsellor's rate. You can top up anytime.

We accept UPI, credit and debit cards, net banking, and popular wallets through our secure payment partner Cashfree. All transactions are encrypted and secure.

Wallet recharges are non-refundable to the original payment method, but wallet credits may be issued for technical issues like disconnections within the first 2 minutes or server-side problems. Refund requests must be submitted within 24 hours of the consultation via our Support section or at info@youmat.in. For full details, see our Refund Policy page at /refund-policy.

To start a session, you need sufficient balance for at least 5 minutes at the counsellor's rate. We recommend maintaining a comfortable balance to avoid interruptions during sessions.

Absolutely. All sessions are encrypted. Your conversations, personal details, and health information are strictly confidential. We never share your data with third parties without explicit consent. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

Yes. You can enable anonymous mode in your profile settings. You can also leave anonymous reviews. Your counsellor will only see the information you choose to share.

Only you and your counsellor can see session history and notes. Our admin team cannot access conversation contents. You can export or delete your session history anytime.

Yes, all counsellors on YouMat are licensed, verified mental health professionals. They undergo a rigorous application process including credential verification, background checks, and interviews.

If you're a licensed mental health professional, visit our 'Become a Counsellor' page to apply. You'll need to submit your credentials, resume, and complete our verification process.

Yes, you're free to try different counsellors until you find the right fit. There's no commitment to any single counsellor. We encourage you to explore until you find someone you're comfortable with.