The Meeting Matters Team · 2026-10-17
Many British Pakistanis speak English fluently at work and school, yet still think and feel in Urdu or Punjabi at home. When something is painful, the words that come first are usually in the language of childhood. If therapy has to happen in a second language, part of what you feel can get lost on the way. This guide explains why language matters and how to find a psychologist who works in Urdu.
Why Your Own Language Helps
Emotional words carry different weight in different languages. A phrase about shame, family honour, respect for parents or a mother-in-law may not translate neatly. When you can use the exact words you would use at home, you describe feelings more accurately and your psychologist understands you better. It also makes early sessions less stiff, because you are not translating in your head while talking about something painful.
More Than Language: Cultural Understanding
Therapy in Urdu is not only about words. A psychologist who understands Pakistani family life already knows what it means to be expected to look after parents, to be compared with cousins, to marry within the family, or to feel torn between what your family expects and what you want. You spend your sessions on the problem, not on explaining where you come from.
What You Can Get Help With
- Anxiety, low mood, stress and burnout.
- Marriage and relationship problems, including in-law conflict. See marriage counselling for Muslim and Pakistani couples in the UK.
- Loneliness and homesickness after a move.
- Grief when a family member in Pakistan is ill or dies and you cannot be there.
- Identity and belonging, especially for second-generation Pakistanis.
- Trauma and difficult experiences from the past.
How Online Therapy in Urdu Works From the UK
Sessions are held by secure video, from home, in Urdu, English, Punjabi or a mix. You need a private space, a phone or laptop and a stable connection. Evening and weekend slots are arranged around your UK time zone where possible. For most common concerns, online therapy can work as well as in-person therapy.
How to Check a Psychologist Is Properly Registered
In the UK, the title "practitioner psychologist" is protected by law, and psychologists who use it must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You can search the HCPC register online at hcpc-uk.org. Counsellors and psychotherapists may instead belong to a professional body such as the BACP. If someone is based overseas, ask where they are registered and for their registration details. Mr. Muhammad Naushad Anjum, founder of The Meeting Matters, is registered with the HCPC in the UK and in the UAE. Read his profile.
Cost and Insurance
This is a private service, and fees for UK clients are confirmed when you book. If you have private medical insurance, check with your insurer whether it covers online sessions with an overseas-based provider. NHS Talking Therapies are free for eligible adults but may have waiting times and are not always available in Urdu.
Next Step
You can book a session online, or message us on WhatsApp and we will suggest a suitable psychologist, usually within 30 minutes. Sessions are by secure video in English, Urdu, Hindi or Punjabi. Mr. Muhammad Naushad Anjum, our founder, is registered with the UK Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and in the UAE, and is mostly available online; our client team arranges bookings around his availability and your time zone. See the pages for Pakistanis in the UK and the UAE and Gulf.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch between Urdu and English in a session?
Yes. Many clients move between languages as they talk.
Is therapy in Urdu as effective?
The method is the same. Many people find they express themselves more accurately in their own language, which helps the work.
Is it confidential?
Yes, with legal exceptions where there is a serious risk of harm.
What if I need urgent help?
We are not an emergency service. In the UK, call 999 in an emergency, NHS 111 for urgent support, or Samaritans on 116 123.