Individual Psychotherapy in Dhaka, Bangladesh
One to one therapy for anxiety, depression, stress, trauma and the things that are hard to talk about with anyone else. In person at my Farmgate chamber or online from anywhere.
Quick facts
| Who it is for | Adults and older teenagers dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, OCD, grief or life changes |
| Approach | CBT based integrative therapy with DBT skills and mindfulness |
| Typical course | Around 8 to 16 sessions for common problems, reviewed together as we go |
| 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 |
What individual psychotherapy is
Psychotherapy is a structured, confidential conversation with a trained psychologist, with a clear aim: changing how you think, feel and cope so that daily life gets lighter. It is not advice giving, and it is not only venting. A good session leaves you understanding your problem better and knowing what to try next.
Many people I meet in Dhaka arrive after months, sometimes years, of trying to handle things alone. Friends said to think positive, family said to pray more or stay busy. Those things are not wrong, but when the same worry, sadness or anger keeps coming back, it usually needs a more structured approach.
What people usually come to me for
- Anxiety, constant worry and panic attacks
- Depression, low mood and loss of interest
- OCD, intrusive thoughts and repeated checking or cleaning
- Trauma and PTSD after accidents, assault or loss
- Intense emotions and unstable relationships, including BPD
- Work stress, burnout and exam pressure
- Grief, anger, low self esteem and loneliness
- Big life changes, such as marriage, divorce, migration or losing a job
You do not need a diagnosis to start. If something is affecting your sleep, work, relationships or peace of mind, that is reason enough to talk.
Psychologist, psychiatrist or counselor: who does what?
| Training | Prescribes medicine? | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychologist | University degrees in psychology, usually with a master’s in clinical or counseling psychology | No | Assessment and structured psychotherapy such as CBT |
| Psychiatrist | Medical doctor (MBBS) with specialist training in psychiatry | Yes | Severe or complex conditions and decisions about medication |
| Counselor | Training varies widely, from short courses to degrees | No | Support and guidance for everyday difficulties |
For many people the best care is a psychologist and psychiatrist working together. Read the full comparison.
How I work, and why it is evidence based
I use an integrative approach built mainly on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), along with DBT skills and mindfulness based methods. That means we start with a proper assessment, agree on specific goals, practise new skills between sessions and check progress regularly instead of talking in circles.
The research behind this is strong. A 2024 network meta analysis in JAMA Psychiatry by Papola and colleagues, covering 65 randomized trials, found CBT to be the best supported first line psychotherapy for generalized anxiety, and the only one whose benefit clearly lasted months after treatment ended. For mild to moderate depression, structured psychotherapy works about as well as medication, and the effects tend to last longer once therapy is finished.
One more finding matters a lot: the relationship between you and your therapist is one of the most consistent predictors of how well therapy works, across hundreds of studies. So if you do not feel understood, tell me. Adjusting the approach is part of the work.
What happens in your first session
In the first session we talk about what brought you here, how long it has been going on, what you have already tried, and what you want to be different. I will ask some questions about your sleep, health, family and work, because problems rarely sit in one corner of life.
By the end, I will share how I understand the problem and suggest a plan. You decide whether it makes sense for you. Many people with common problems such as anxiety or depression need somewhere around 8 to 16 sessions, sometimes fewer and sometimes more, depending on the difficulty and how long it has been there.
Therapy methods I use, in plain words
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): changing the thinking and behavior patterns that keep anxiety, low mood and stress going.
- DBT skills: practical skills for intense emotions, impulsive reactions and difficult relationships.
- Mindfulness based therapy: learning to notice thoughts and feelings without being pulled under by them, which helps with worry and relapse prevention.
- Exposure based work: facing fears gradually and safely, central to treating panic, phobias and OCD.
Online therapy for Bangladeshis anywhere
If you live outside Dhaka, travel for work, or live abroad and want a therapist who understands Bangladeshi family life, sessions can happen online through a secure video call. The method is the same as in person. Read more about online therapy in Bangladesh.
When therapy alone is not enough
Some situations need a psychiatrist alongside therapy, for example severe depression, bipolar disorder, psychosis, or when medication may help. I do not prescribe medicine, but I will tell you honestly when I think a medical opinion is needed and help you find one. Here is a guide on when to see a psychiatrist in Dhaka.
If you or someone close to you is in immediate danger or thinking about ending their life, please go to the nearest hospital emergency department now rather than waiting for an appointment.
Privacy and confidentiality
What you share in therapy stays between us. I do not discuss your sessions with family members, employers or anyone else without your permission. The only exception is a serious and immediate risk to your life or someone else’s, and even then I would talk with you first wherever possible.
Helpful reads
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
আমি ঢাকার ফার্মগেটে আমার চেম্বারে এবং অনলাইনে ব্যক্তিগত সাইকোথেরাপি দিয়ে থাকি। দুশ্চিন্তা, বিষণ্ণতা, প্যানিক অ্যাটাক, ওসিডি, ট্রমা, কাজের চাপ বা জীবনের যেকোনো কঠিন সময়ে প্রমাণভিত্তিক পদ্ধতিতে (যেমন সিবিটি) সহায়তা পাওয়া যায়। সেশন সম্পূর্ণ গোপনীয়। অ্যাপয়েন্টমেন্টের জন্য হোয়াটসঅ্যাপে যোগাযোগ করুন: +8801929446548।
Common Questions About Psychotherapy in Dhaka
If a problem has lasted more than a few weeks and is affecting your sleep, work, relationships or enjoyment of life, psychotherapy is worth considering. Friends give support, while a psychologist gives a structured way to understand the problem and change the patterns that keep it going.
Many people with common problems such as anxiety or depression need somewhere around 8 to 16 sessions. Longstanding or more complex difficulties can take longer, and we review progress together regularly so you are never in therapy longer than you need.
Yes. What you discuss stays between you and me, and nothing is shared with family or employers without your permission. The only exception is a serious, immediate risk to someone's life.
Yes. I offer online sessions by secure video call for clients anywhere in Bangladesh and for Bangladeshis living abroad, using the same evidence based methods as in person sessions.
No referral is needed. You can contact me directly on WhatsApp to book. If I think a psychiatrist should also be involved, I will tell you and help you find one.
A psychologist provides assessment and talk therapy and does not prescribe medicine, while a psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe medication. For many conditions the two work best together. Read the full explanation.
A standard session lasts 45 to 50 minutes, in person at the Farmgate chamber or online, in Bangla or English.
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.
