How to Start a Therapy Centre in India — The Complete 2026 Guide

Step 1: Choose Your Therapy Specialisation

Decide whether you'll focus on a single therapy type or offer multi-disciplinary services:

• Speech therapy — Language delays, articulation, fluency, voice disorders. Highest demand, especially for children aged 2-8.
• Occupational therapy — Sensory processing, fine motor skills, self-care skills. Often paired with speech therapy.
• ABA therapy — Applied Behaviour Analysis for autism spectrum. Intensive (20-40 hours/week per child), higher revenue per patient.
• Physiotherapy — Pediatric physiotherapy for developmental delays, cerebral palsy, post-surgical rehab.
• Multi-disciplinary — Offering 2-3 therapy types. Higher patient retention (families prefer one centre for all therapies).

Step 2: Legal & Registration Requirements

• Register your business (LLP or Pvt. Ltd. is common for therapy centres)
• Obtain GST registration
• Register with local municipal corporation (trade license)
• Check RCI (Rehabilitation Council of India) registration requirements for therapists
• Get professional liability insurance
• Ensure DPDPA compliance for patient data handling

Step 3: Find the Right Location

Look for a location near schools, pediatric hospitals, or residential areas with young families. Key requirements: ground floor accessibility, sensory-friendly environment (minimal noise), parking for parents, and 2-4 therapy rooms of 80-120 sq ft each. Budget ₹30,000-80,000/month for rent depending on city and area.

Step 4: Hire Qualified Therapists

The quality of your therapists defines your centre. Key hiring considerations:

• Speech therapists: BASLP or MASLP degree, RCI registration
• Occupational therapists: BOT/MOT degree, AIOTA membership
• ABA therapists: BCBA, BCaBA, or RBT certification (or equivalent training)
• Salary range: ₹20,000-50,000/month for junior therapists, ₹50,000-1,00,000 for senior/lead therapists
• Start with 2-3 therapists and grow based on demand

Step 5: Set Your Pricing Strategy

Indian therapy centres typically use session package pricing:

• Individual sessions: ₹800-2,500 per session (varies by city and therapy type)
• Package pricing: 12 sessions, 24 sessions, 48 sessions with 10-20% discount
• Assessment fees: ₹2,000-5,000 for initial evaluation
• ABA programs: ₹15,000-40,000/month for intensive programs (20+ hours/week)

Step 6: Set Up Practice Management Software

Don't start with spreadsheets — you'll waste 3-4 hours daily on admin from day one. Set up a purpose-built therapy centre management system that handles scheduling, attendance, session notes, and parent communication. TheraFlow is designed specifically for Indian therapy centres and gets you live in 2 hours with a 7-day free trial.

Step 7: Market Your Centre

• Google Business Profile — Set up and optimise for "speech therapy near me" searches
• Pediatrician referrals — Build relationships with local pediatricians who refer for therapy
• School partnerships — Offer free screening camps at nearby schools
• Parent word-of-mouth — Your best marketing channel. Show visible progress through a parent app.
• Social media — Share therapy tips, milestone information, and parent testimonials on Instagram

Step 8: Plan Your First 90 Days

• Month 1: Set up space, hire 2-3 therapists, install software, visit 10 pediatricians
• Month 2: Target 15-20 active patients, establish therapy protocols, launch parent app
• Month 3: Reach 30+ active patients, evaluate therapist utilisation, plan for month 4-6 growth