Every Sunday call, you listen for it. Papa says he is fine but has stopped going for his evening walk. Mummy laughs, then mentions she has not slept properly in weeks. A neighbour tells your cousin something your parents have not told you. And every unexpected call at an odd hour makes your stomach drop.
Caring for ageing parents from another country is one of the most common reasons NRIs come to us, and one of the least talked about. Rooh Mind Care can help on both ends of that phone call: with you, and, if they are willing, with your parent.
Support for you, abroad
Online therapy with an Indian psychologist, booked in your time zone, for:
- Guilt about being the one who left, and the quieter guilt of being relieved you are far away some days.
- Anticipatory grief: mourning a parent’s decline while they are still here.
- The return decision: whether to move back, for how long, and what it would cost your own family and career.
- Sibling strain: the brother or sister in India doing the day-to-day care, and the resentment that can build on both sides.
- Caregiver burnout at a distance: managing doctors, money, helpers and emergencies from eight time zones away.
Fees are ₹2,500 to ₹3,500 ($25 to $35) a session. See online therapy for NRIs for how sessions, time zones and payment work.
Support for your parent, in India
Depression, anxiety and grief in later life are often put down to “just age”. They are not just age, and they respond to help. For older adults in India, we offer:
Counselling in Hindi
Sessions in Hindi or English, online from home or in person at our Krishna Nagar clinic in Lucknow. Our team includes a clinical psychologist who works with older adults.
Psychiatric consultation
Online consultations with our MD psychiatrist for clients in India, for diagnosis, medication and review. Details
Memory and cognitive assessment
If you are noticing forgetfulness or confusion, a psychological assessment can be a useful first step, alongside a visit to their doctor.
Family sessions
When siblings, parents and the child abroad need to make decisions together, family therapy can be held online across countries.
Signs to listen for on the Sunday call
- Losing interest in things they used to enjoy: the walk, the temple, the TV serial, the grandchildren’s photos.
- Sleeping much more or much less, or eating noticeably less.
- Withdrawing from friends, relatives or the colony.
- More irritability, worry or physical complaints with no clear cause.
- New forgetfulness, getting lost, or repeating the same questions.
How to raise it with a parent who says “humein kya zaroorat hai?”
Many parents of this generation hear “therapy” and think “pagal”. A few things tend to help:
- Lead with what they feel, not with a label. “You haven’t been sleeping. Would it help to talk to someone about it?” lands better than “I think you’re depressed.”
- Call it a conversation, not a treatment. The first session really is mostly a conversation.
- Offer to set it up, not to sit in. Help with the phone and the link, then leave the room so they can speak freely.
- Start by asking us your questions on WhatsApp. It is low stakes, and you can write to us together.
For more on depression and therapy in later life, read our guide to counselling for elderly parents in India.
Common questions
Can I book therapy for my parent in India from abroad?
Yes. You can book and pay from abroad, and your parent joins online from home or comes to our Krishna Nagar clinic in Lucknow. Therapy only works if your parent agrees to it, so talk to them first.
My parent is not comfortable with video calls. What then?
A family member or helper can set up the call on a phone and then leave the room. Sessions can be in Hindi, and the first one usually feels more like a conversation than an appointment.
Will you tell me what my parent says in therapy?
No. Your parent’s sessions are confidential, just as yours would be, with the same rare safety exceptions. With your parent’s permission, the therapist can share general guidance on how the family can help.
Can my parent see a psychiatrist?
Yes, if they are in India. Our psychiatrist offers online consultations to clients located in India, for diagnosis, medication and review.
Start with a short conversation
Ask us your questions on WhatsApp, for yourself or together with your parent. We will suggest the right clinician and a time that works in both countries.