Family & Marital Counseling

Our Services

Family and Marital Counseling in Lahore

What are Family and Marital Counseling? These are forms of psychotherapy (talk therapy) that focus on relationships within a family or couple. Family counseling addresses issues among parents, children, and other relatives, while marital (couples) counseling deals specifically with issues between partners. Both aim to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen understanding. As Cleveland Clinic describes, “Family therapy is a form of talk therapy that focuses on the improvement of relationships among family members”. Similarly, licensed marriage counselors work with couples (spouses or partners) to identify and solve problems in their relationship. Common goals include building trust, learning conflict-resolution skills, and restoring emotional connection. In our Lahore clinic (or online), Dr. Aftab uses these approaches to help families and couples work through challenges in a safe, guided environment.

Issues Treated

Family and marital counseling can help with a wide range of problems. Some examples include:

Communication Breakdowns: Difficulty speaking or listening to each other effectively. This is often at the heart of family or marital conflict.
Relationship Conflicts: Frequent arguing, tension, or feeling disconnected from your spouse or family member.
Parent-Child Problems: Struggles with discipline, rebellious teens, or behavioral issues in children that strain family harmony.
Life Transitions: Adjusting to changes like marriage, divorce, blending families, having a baby, or relocation.
Infidelity and Trust Issues: Coping with an affair or rebuilding trust after breaches in the relationship.

Intake Session: The first meeting usually involves both partners together (or the relevant family members). Dr. Aftab will ask each person about their perspective on the problems. He gathers background information (family history, what brought them in), and establishes confidentiality and ground rules.
Identify Issues & Goals: Together, you and Dr. Aftab will clearly define the issues you want to work on (e.g. improving communication, resolving a conflict, parenting strategies). Setting realistic goals (“We want to argue less and talk more constructively”) helps focus the therapy.
Therapeutic Techniques: Depending on the needs, several methods may be used. Dr. Aftab might teach the Gottman Method (developed for couples) or Cognitive-Behavioral techniques for families. He often helps couples learn to listen and speak using “I” statements (e.g. “I feel upset when…”), rather than blaming language.
Skill Building: A key part of sessions is practicing new skills. For example, he might teach breathing techniques to calm anger, or set up rules for fair fighting (agreeing not to interrupt each other, taking time-outs).

Improved Communication: Learning to talk and listen more effectively reduces misunderstandings. Couples often say they feel truly heard for the first time after counseling.
Enhanced Emotional Connection: Therapy helps partners/family members rebuild intimacy and empathy, leading to a stronger bond.
Problem-Solving Skills: Families learn structured ways to solve conflicts (so problems don’t spiral into big fights).
Stress Reduction: By resolving issues, the overall stress level in the home decreases. Cleveland Clinic notes that family therapy can reduce “stress” and “anger”.
Relationship Satisfaction: Numerous studies show that couples who undergo counseling generally report higher satisfaction. Research indicates that without therapy, distressed couples see little improvement, while counseling yields “considerable” gains in satisfaction.
Support During Tough Times: Families facing illnesses, loss, or other major changes find therapy to be a vital support system. It provides tools to cope that benefit each member’s mental health.

About US

Dr. Aftab’s Qualifications and Approach

Dr. Aftab applies his extensive psychiatric training to family therapy. He is not a certified Marriage and Family Therapist (those are typically psychologists), but he is a psychiatrist with training in therapy. His medical background allows him to understand how mental health conditions can impact relationships. He often draws on systemic and cognitive-behavioral approaches. Because he spent years teaching psychiatry, he brings an educational component families learn the psychology behind their interactions.

Patients find Dr. Aftab professional and empathetic. He conducts sessions in both Urdu and English, making his counseling accessible. He maintains strict confidentiality for all parties. When working with couples, he treats each partner respectfully and without bias. If needed, he can provide individual therapy referrals or work alongside other professionals (e.g. a child psychologist or social worker) for a more comprehensive approach. The goal is always the same: to help the family function more harmoniously and the marriage to become a supportive partnership.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Can counseling save my marriage?

Counseling can greatly improve a marriage if both partners are willing to try. There are no guarantees (outcomes depend on the issues and the couple’s commitment), but research shows that couples who do therapy generally see better relationship satisfaction than those who do nothing.

Can we do family counseling online?

Yes. Dr. Aftab conducts online family and marital therapy sessions. You and your partner (and any children, if involved) can all join a secure video call. Many couples find online sessions just as effective as in-person ones, and it can be more convenient schedule-wise.

How many sessions will we need?

This varies. Some couples see progress in 5-10 sessions, others work together for months. Typically, weekly sessions for a few months are recommended to build new habits. The initial few sessions often focus on the most pressing issues. After that, many couples continue biweekly or monthly check-ins for as long as needed.

What if my partner won’t go to counseling?

This is a common concern. You might start by going yourself to work on communication and coping strategies. Sometimes seeing your commitment and improvement can motivate your partner to join later.

Are sessions confidential?

Yes. Whatever you and your partner discuss with Dr. Aftab is kept private. He will not share your information without your consent, except in rare cases (e.g. clear risk of harm to someone). Confidentiality is a cornerstone of therapy and helps create trust so you can speak openly.

Get Started

Appointment & Contact

Scheduling an appointment with Dr. Naeem Aftab is easy and confidential. Use the contact information below or our online portal (calendar integration coming soon) to secure a session.