More than 70% of people in Pakistan who seek mental health care today are turning to their mobile phones or laptops instead of visiting a clinic. Teletherapy and online counseling, once seen as “not real therapy”, are now becoming a regular and trusted form of emotional support across South Asia.
Whether it’s a university student battling exam anxiety, a housewife quietly dealing with marital stress, or a freelancer in Karachi facing burnout, many now say, “Online therapy saved me.”
Let’s understand what this shift means, how it feels, and what it teaches us about modern mental health.
What Is Teletherapy and Online Counseling?
Teletherapy refers to therapy or counseling sessions done through mobile phones, laptops, or other digital devices, via video call, audio call, or even chat. Instead of going to a clinic or hospital, you connect with a licensed therapist from wherever you are.
In South Asia, where many people live in joint families or conservative environments, going to therapy in person can feel uncomfortable or even shameful. Online therapy gives privacy, flexibility, and a feeling of safety.
You can talk to a therapist while sitting in your car after office, during your lunch break, or from your bedroom with your door locked. It reduces travel time, saves money, and, most importantly, removes the fear of “log kya kahenge?”
Emotional Benefits of Online Therapy: Stories from Real People
A Student in Lahore Found Peace During Exam Anxiety
Rida, a 22-year-old psychology student, used to feel breathless before every exam. Panic attacks would leave her unable to study or sleep. She hesitated to go to a psychologist in her city, what if her parents found out?
Through a mental health app, she started weekly sessions with an online therapist. Just 30 minutes of talking and breathing exercises helped her manage anxiety. Today, she’s preparing for her CSS exam with confidence.
A Housewife in Karachi Finally Felt Heard
Nazia, 38, lives in a joint family. Her days were filled with chores, her nights with silence. She felt invisible in her own life. When she came across a Facebook post about online counseling, she clicked.
Her first session made her cry, and feel lighter. For the first time, someone listened without interrupting or judging. Online therapy gave her words to describe her feelings, and tools to improve communication with her husband.
A Freelancer in Dhaka Beat Burnout with Just a Call a Week
Ahmed, a graphic designer, was working 14 hours a day. He couldn’t sleep, his appetite dropped, and he felt emotionally numb. A friend suggested teletherapy.
Through weekly calls with a therapist in India, he learned to set work boundaries, sleep better, and reconnect with friends. “It didn’t fix everything,” he says, “but it gave me the strength to fix myself.”
These stories show how real and powerful online therapy can be, even without a clinic or couch.
Pros and Cons of Online Counseling
Here’s a quick look at the everyday advantages and struggles that people report:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| You can access it from home or office | Poor internet can disrupt sessions |
| Saves time and money | Difficult for very serious mental conditions |
| Less social pressure or fear of judgment | Harder to read body language or expressions |
| Available in Urdu, English, Punjabi | Privacy can be tricky in shared living spaces |
For many, the benefits outweigh the limits, but knowing both sides helps make better choices.
Common Challenges People Face in Teletherapy
Despite its rise, teletherapy comes with hurdles, especially in South Asia.
1. Cultural Hesitation
Many people still believe therapy is “for mad people” or “only for rich people.” Talking to a stranger, even online, feels scary. Some families forbid it. But younger generations are pushing change.
2. Environment and Distractions
It’s hard to talk freely when children are crying outside the room or someone knocks on your door mid-session. Shared rooms and noise pollution are real obstacles.
3. Internet and App Confusion
Sometimes the session lags. Audio cuts. Or the app stops working. It can break the emotional flow, especially during sensitive topics.
4. Lack of Local Options
While some apps offer therapists fluent in Urdu or Hindi, many platforms still cater to Western users. That makes it harder for desi users to relate.
Tips to Manage These Issues:
Use headphones and sit in a car or closed room
Schedule sessions during quiet hours
Choose platforms that offer South Asian counselors
Keep tissues and water nearby
Always check therapist’s license or qualifications
Is Online Counseling As Effective As In-Person Therapy?
Research shows that for mild to moderate mental health issues, like stress, anxiety, relationship conflict, or emotional fatigue, online therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy.
What makes therapy work is connection and communication, not the room or the sofa. As long as the therapist listens well, offers practical help, and builds trust, healing can happen online too.
But for serious disorders like schizophrenia, self-harm risk, or trauma-related PTSD, in-person therapy is better. In emergencies, psychiatric help and physical presence are needed.
Bottom line:
Online therapy is not second-best. It’s a valid, useful form of care, when used in the right context.
How to Prepare for Your First Online Therapy Session
Here’s a short and practical checklist for first-timers:
✅ Find a quiet and private space – Car, closed room, or rooftop with a signal
✅ Use earphones – Helps focus and adds privacy
✅ Keep a notebook and pen – To jot down key points
✅ Take a few deep breaths before starting
✅ Don’t worry about being perfect or saying the right thing
✅ Give it 2-3 sessions before judging if it’s working
The first session may feel strange, but many people report a sense of relief afterward. You’re not expected to know what to say. Just be honest.
South Asian Perspective on Online Therapy: Stigma and Progress
In our region, therapy has long carried stigma. People still whisper, “Pagal toh nahi ho gaye?” when they hear someone is seeing a counselor.
But this is changing.
In big cities like Lahore, Delhi, Dhaka, and Islamabad, educated youth are leading mental health conversations online. Celebrities and influencers now openly talk about therapy on Instagram. Local platforms like ReliveNow, Sangat, and Mind Matters Pakistan are offering Urdu and regional language services.
In rural areas, the change is slower, but the rise of mobile therapy apps is slowly bridging the gap.
Reader Voices: What Was Your Online Therapy Like?
If you’ve had an experience with teletherapy, good or bad, your story matters.
Was it helpful during a breakup? Did it help with exam pressure or post-COVID depression? Did you feel heard or disappointed?
Leave a comment or message us. Your journey might help someone else take that first brave step.
TL;DR
Teletherapy is helping many in South Asia deal with anxiety, burnout, and emotional pain, especially when going to a clinic feels unsafe or shameful. It’s flexible, private, and effective for common issues. Though not perfect, it’s a real and growing solution for mental health care in our region. Real stories show that healing can begin with just one video call.
Imran Shahzad, M.Sc. Psychology (BZU, 2012), shares real-world mental health tips and emotional guidance in simple English for everyday South Asian readers.