A mother once told me she almost did not bring her daughter in because everyone around her insisted it was just a teenage phase. It turned out to be a depressive episode that had been building for months. That story is not unusual. In many families in Dhaka, children are expected to cope quietly, and parents are told to wait and see. Sometimes waiting is fine. Sometimes it costs a child a year of their life.
I work with children, teenagers and their parents, in person at my Farmgate chamber and online.
Quick facts
| Ages | Young children through 18 years |
| Parents | Involved in every plan, with clear confidentiality rules for teenagers |
| Approach | Play based work and parent guidance for younger children, CBT for teenagers |
| Where | In person at the chamber in Monipuripara, Farmgate, Dhaka, or online by secure video call |
| Session length | 45 to 50 minutes |
| Languages | Bangla and English |
| Booking | WhatsApp +8801929446548. Fees are shared before you book |
Signs it may be time to see a child psychologist
Some moodiness, testing limits and wanting privacy are normal parts of growing up. What matters is a clear change from your child’s usual self that lasts for weeks, such as:
- Withdrawing from friends, family or activities they used to enjoy
- Big changes in sleep, appetite or energy
- Falling grades or refusing to go to school
- Frequent stomach aches or headaches with no medical cause
- Anger outbursts, aggression or defiance that is getting worse
- Constant worry, panic or fear of separation
- Spending almost all their time on phones or games and becoming upset when stopped
- Any talk of self harm, hopelessness or not wanting to live, which always needs prompt attention
What I help children and teenagers with
- Anxiety, fears, panic and school refusal
- Low mood and depression
- Anger, behavior problems and difficulty following rules
- Exam stress and academic pressure
- Bullying, friendship problems and low self esteem
- Excessive screen time and gaming
- Adjusting to divorce, a move or a loss in the family
- OCD and repetitive worries
- Attention and learning concerns, including IQ and psychological testing
If your concern is about autism or a developmental difference, see my guide to autism and ABA therapy in Dhaka.
How common this is in Bangladesh
The National Mental Health Survey 2019 found that 13.6 percent of children aged 7 to 17 in Bangladesh had a mental health condition, and 94.5 percent of them were not receiving any treatment. Globally, WHO estimates that one in seven adolescents aged 10 to 19 has a mental health condition, and research by Kessler and colleagues shows that around half of all lifetime mental health conditions begin by age 14. Childhood is when early help makes the biggest difference.
How therapy works at each age
| Age | How therapy works | Parent role |
|---|---|---|
| Under 6 | Play, drawing and simple activities, mostly through parent guidance | Central. Most change happens at home |
| 6 to 12 | Play based work combined with simple CBT skills for feelings and behavior | Join part of most sessions and practise at home |
| 13 to 18 | Talk based therapy such as CBT, adapted to school, friends and phones | Some joint sessions, with private time for the teen |
How therapy works at different ages
Young children. Children rarely explain feelings in words, so I use play, drawing and simple activities, and much of the work happens through parents. For behavior problems, parent training is one of the best supported treatments in child psychology, because consistent changes at home shape behavior more than an hour with a therapist.
Teenagers. With teens I mostly use CBT and practical skills for managing emotions, adapted to their world of school, friends and phones. Teens get their own confidential space, with parents brought in at agreed points.
Parents. You are part of the treatment, not an observer. I will explain what is going on, what to try at home and what to avoid, in plain language.
Confidentiality for teenagers
Teenagers open up only when they trust that their words will not be reported back word for word. At the start, I agree clear rules with both the teen and the parents: parents get updates on progress and are always told about any safety risk, while the details of what the teen shares stay private.
When a psychiatrist is also needed
Some children need a medical assessment as well, for example for severe depression, ADHD medication decisions or any risk of self harm. I will tell you honestly when that applies and help you find the right specialist. Here is a guide to psychiatrists in Dhaka.
Online sessions for teenagers
Many teenagers are comfortable with video sessions, which also helps families outside Dhaka and Bangladeshi families abroad. Younger children usually do better in person. Read more about online therapy in Bangladesh.
How to prepare your child for the first visit
- Tell them a day or two before, in simple words: you are meeting someone whose job is helping kids with worries or big feelings.
- Avoid presenting it as a punishment or saying something is wrong with them.
- Bring any school reports, previous assessments or notes from teachers.
- For teenagers, let them know they will have some private time to talk.
- Write down your main worries and when they started, so nothing is forgotten.
Helpful reads
- Autism and ABA therapy in Dhaka
- IQ and psychological testing in Dhaka
- Signs you should see a psychologist
- Family therapy in Dhaka
About your psychologist
I am Alal, a psychologist based in Dhaka. I completed an MS in Clinical Psychology at the University of Dhaka, an MSc in Clinical and Counseling Psychology at Jagannath University, and postgraduate training in psychotherapy at the Department of Psychiatry, BSMMU. My work is grounded in evidence based approaches such as CBT, DBT skills and mindfulness based therapy, adapted to the realities of life in Bangladesh.
You can meet me at my chamber at Model Addiction and Psychiatric Care, 113/A, Monipuripara, Farmgate, Tejgaon, Dhaka 1215, or online from anywhere in Bangladesh or abroad. More about me.
Written and last reviewed by Psychologist Alal, October 2026.
বাংলায় সংক্ষেপে
শিশু ও কিশোরদের দুশ্চিন্তা, মন খারাপ, রাগ ও আচরণগত সমস্যা, পরীক্ষার চাপ, স্কুলে যেতে না চাওয়া বা অতিরিক্ত মোবাইল আসক্তির মতো সমস্যায় আমি ঢাকায় এবং অনলাইনে থেরাপি দিয়ে থাকি। বাবা মাকে চিকিৎসার অংশ হিসেবে যুক্ত রাখা হয়। যোগাযোগ: হোয়াটসঅ্যাপ +8801929446548।
Common questions
At what age can a child see a psychologist?
There is no minimum age. Young children are helped mainly through play based methods and parent guidance, while teenagers usually do talk based therapy such as CBT.
Will I know what my teenager says in therapy?
Not word for word. Teenagers need privacy to open up, so I agree confidentiality rules with both the teen and the parents at the start, and parents are always told if there is a safety risk.
How do I bring my child to a psychologist without scaring them?
Frame it as care rather than a problem, for example meeting someone whose job is helping kids with worries or big feelings. Involving older children in the decision reduces resistance.
Do parents attend the sessions?
Usually yes, to some degree. For young children parents are central to the work, and for teenagers there are typically some joint sessions alongside the teen’s individual time.
Can you diagnose ADHD or autism?
A psychologist can assess attention, behavior and development and identify whether ADHD or autism is likely, and will refer to a child psychiatrist or developmental specialist when a medical diagnosis or medication review is needed.
Is online therapy suitable for teenagers?
Yes, many teenagers are comfortable with video sessions, and online therapy works well for those living outside Dhaka or abroad. Young children usually do better in person.
How should I prepare my child for the first session?
Explain it simply and calmly a day or two before, as meeting someone who helps kids with worries or big feelings, and avoid presenting it as a punishment. Bring school reports or previous assessments if you have them.
How long is each session?
A standard session lasts 45 to 50 minutes, in person at the Farmgate chamber or online, in Bangla or English.
How much does a session cost?
Fees depend on the type of session, such as individual, couple, family or online, and are shared on WhatsApp before you book so there are no surprises. Message +8801929446548 to ask.
If you are worried about your child or teenager, message me directly on WhatsApp at +8801929446548.
Sources
- National Mental Health Survey of Bangladesh 2019, WHO Bangladesh
- World Health Organization, Adolescent mental health fact sheet
- Kessler RC et al. National Comorbidity Survey Replication, age of onset findings