Frequently Asked Questions

Therapy for anxiety — primarily Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) — identifies and changes the thought patterns and avoidance behaviours that keep anxiety going. It is the most evidence-based treatment for all anxiety types, including generalised anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder, and health anxiety. Online therapy for anxiety is available at Healing with Attia across Pakistan, in Urdu and English.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, practical therapy that teaches you to:

• Identify negative automatic thoughts that fuel anxiety
• Test those thoughts against reality (thought records)
• Gradually face feared situations to reduce avoidance (exposure)
• Use breathing and grounding techniques during panic

CBT for anxiety has the strongest research evidence of any psychological treatment and produces lasting change. Read our full CBT for Anxiety guide →

OCD therapy uses Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) — a specialised form of CBT. ERP works by deliberately exposing you to OCD triggers while preventing the compulsive response, teaching your brain that anxiety fades on its own. ERP has a 60–80% success rate and is effective for all OCD types including religious OCD (waswasa). Read our full OCD & ERP therapy guide →

Therapy for depression — using CBT or Integrative Therapy — addresses the root causes: negative thought patterns, isolation, loss of meaning, and unresolved grief. Unlike medication, which reduces symptoms chemically, therapy builds lasting skills. For moderate-to-severe depression, a combination of therapy and psychiatry is often most effective. We can refer you to a psychiatrist if needed. No referral is required to start therapy.

An ADHD therapist helps adults and children develop practical strategies for managing attention, impulsivity, time management, and emotional regulation. ADHD therapy includes:

• Psychoeducation about how ADHD affects the brain
• CBT techniques adapted specifically for ADHD
• Coaching skills: task-breaking, time-blocking, body doubling
• Emotional dysregulation and self-esteem work

Yes — ADHD therapy for adults is available at Healing with Attia. Many adults are diagnosed for the first time in their 20s or 30s, and therapy can be life-changing.

IFS therapy (Internal Family Systems) is a powerful approach that works with the different "parts" of yourself — for example, the inner critic, the perfectionist, or the frightened child within. It is particularly effective for trauma, shame, and deep-rooted low self-esteem. Attia Altaf uses IFS-informed techniques within an integrative approach, especially for clients working through early childhood experiences or identity struggles.

Stress therapy is professional counseling focused on building resilience, coping skills, and sustainable boundaries for managing chronic stress — whether from work, finances, relationships, or family pressures. It typically combines CBT techniques, assertiveness training, and mindfulness. Stress therapy is particularly effective for workplace burnout and the financial pressures many Pakistani families are facing today.

Marriage counseling (also called couple counselling or relationship counseling) is professional therapy helping couples improve communication, resolve conflict, and rebuild trust and connection. Seek marriage counseling when:

• Communication has broken down or regularly becomes hostile
• Trust has been damaged (infidelity, dishonesty)
• Joint family interference is threatening your relationship
• Intimacy has significantly decreased
• You are considering separation and want to explore all options first

The earlier you seek help, the better the outcomes — waiting until the relationship is in crisis makes recovery harder.

Yes — research confirms online couple counselling is as effective as in-person therapy. Both partners can join from the same device or from entirely different locations. This is especially useful for couples where one spouse works in another city or abroad. All you need is a quiet, private space and a stable internet connection.

Yes. Pre-marital counseling is one of our most valuable services and is dramatically underused in Pakistan. It helps couples:

• Build realistic expectations about married life
• Develop communication and conflict-resolution skills before issues escalate
• Discuss finances, joint family roles, and child-rearing values openly
• Identify potential incompatibilities while there is still time to address them

Pre-marital counseling is an investment in your future — not a sign of a problem.

At Healing with Attia, we specialise in therapy for the following mental health conditions:

• Therapy for anxiety — GAD, social anxiety, panic disorder, health anxiety
• OCD therapy (ERP) — including religious OCD / waswasa
• Therapy for depression
• Marriage counseling and relationship counseling
• ADHD therapy — adults & teenagers
• Stress therapy and burnout recovery
• Trauma and PTSD (EMDR-informed techniques)
• Low self-esteem, shame, and identity work (IFS therapy)
• Narcissistic abuse recovery

We can help in two main ways with narcissistic personality disorder. Most commonly, we support people who are in relationships with narcissistic individuals — helping you recognise manipulation patterns, set firm boundaries, and heal from narcissistic abuse. We also work with individuals who recognise narcissistic traits in themselves and genuinely want to develop greater empathy and self-awareness. Note: full NPD requires long-term specialist care; we assess and refer where appropriate.

Conditions like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia require psychiatric medication in addition to therapy. We provide psychotherapy as an important complement to psychiatric care — helping with mood management, self-understanding, family communication, and daily functioning. For diagnosis and medication, we refer to trusted consultant psychiatrists. We do not diagnose these conditions independently.

The easiest way to find a mental health professional in Pakistan is to book a WhatsApp consultation with Healing with Attia — no waiting list, fully online, available in Urdu or English, and the first step is simply a brief conversation about what you are struggling with. You can also search platforms like Marham.pk and Oladoc.com. A psychotherapist is the right first step for anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or stress.

• Individual therapy: PKR 5,000 per 50-minute session
• Couples / marriage counseling: PKR 6,500 per session
• Payment methods: JazzCash, EasyPaisa, Bank Transfer (Meezan/HBL)

We offer a limited number of subsidised slots for students and those with demonstrated financial need — please mention this when you contact us.

After booking via WhatsApp, you will receive a secure Zoom link. Join from your phone or laptop — all you need is a quiet, private space and a stable internet connection. Sessions are 50–60 minutes. Payment is made before the session to confirm your slot.

Absolutely. We follow strict professional ethical guidelines. Everything you share in sessions is 100% confidential. We do not share information with your family, employer, or anyone else without your explicit written consent. The only legal exceptions are when there is an immediate and serious risk to your life or another person's life.

Yes. You can use a nickname and keep your camera off for audio-only sessions. Many clients in Pakistan prefer initial anonymity due to social stigma — this is completely understood and accommodated. Your comfort and psychological safety come first.

Yes — all sessions can be conducted fully in Urdu, fully in English, or in the natural mix of both that most Pakistanis speak. Some sessions are also available in Punjabi. Therapy is most effective when you can express yourself in the language you feel most comfortable in — there are no rules here.

No. As a psychotherapist, Attia Altaf provides talk therapy only and cannot prescribe medication. If medication is indicated — for severe OCD, depression, bipolar disorder, or ADHD — we will refer you to a trusted consultant psychiatrist. Therapy and medication together often produce the best results.

Pakistan's internet can be unpredictable. If the connection drops significantly during a session, we switch to a WhatsApp audio call or reschedule the remaining time at no extra charge. We aim to be as flexible and understanding as possible.