Rafiq Counselling that walks alongside

Questions people ask

How do I know if I need this?

You don't have to be in crisis and there is no threshold to meet. If something has been sitting on you for a while, and talking to the people around you hasn't shifted it, that is reason enough. If it turns out you don't need to be here, I will tell you.

What happens in the first session?

You talk, I ask questions. I will want to know what has brought you here now rather than six months ago, which matters more than it sounds. Towards the end we will talk about practicalities: how often, for how long, what I think would help. You do not need to prepare.

What if I don't know what to say?

Most people don't, at the start. It is a normal way to arrive and not something to fix beforehand. Silence in a session is allowed.

How long does this take?

It depends, and anyone who gives you a number without knowing you is guessing. Some people come for a few weeks with something specific. Some stay much longer. We will review it together as we go, and I would rather you stop when you are ready than keep booking out of habit.

Who do you usually work with?

People roughly between twenty-five and forty-five. Work, relationships, family, low mood, anxiety, and the patterns underneath them. I do not work with children or teenagers.

Do you work with parents too?

Sometimes, and it depends what is being asked. If a parent wants me to fix their child, that is not something I can do or would try. If a parent wants to understand what is happening and what their part in it is, that is a real conversation and I am glad to have it.

What does it cost?

We will talk about fees on the first call, before you commit to anything. I keep a few reduced-fee slots for people who need them. If cost is the thing stopping you, say so when you write in. It will not be held against you.

Is this confidential?

What you say stays between us. There are standard exceptions, and I will go through them properly in the first session so you know exactly where the edges are. The gathering is different, because it happens in a cafe and other people are present. That page says so plainly.

Do you work online?

Yes, over video, and that is how most of it happens. The gathering is the in-person part.

What languages do you work in?

English and Hindi, and you do not have to decide which before we start.

Are you a doctor? Can you prescribe?

No, and no. If medication is worth considering I will say so and help you find a psychiatrist.

What if I need help right now, tonight?

Please call Tele-MANAS on 14416. It is free, staffed around the clock, and available across India. Vandrevala Foundation is on 1860 2662 345. Do that first and write to me afterwards.

Are you tracking me on this website?

Page views, and that is all. I use PostHog to see which pages people land on. Autocapture and session recording are switched off, so nothing you click, type or fill in is recorded. Anonymous readers get no profile. If your browser sends Do Not Track, nothing is collected at all.

How do I start?

Write to me. Two sentences is plenty.

Two quick steps.

Then we talk for thirty minutes, free.

Step one

A short form, a few minutes. It means our thirty minutes starts somewhere useful instead of at the beginning.

Fill the form

Step two

Pick a time

Tick the box once you have sent it.

Message Satlaj