About insomnia
Chronic insomnia means difficulty falling or staying asleep several nights a week for months. Cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the recommended first treatment and works on habits, schedules and the thoughts that keep sleeplessness going.
Therapist is the everyday word for a professional who offers talking therapy: depending on the country it can be a psychologist, a psychotherapist, a licensed counsellor, a marriage and family therapist or a clinical social worker. Profiles show each therapist’s actual title, training and registration.
Getting mental health care in Afghanistan
Public health system · Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS), Ministry of Public Health
Mental health is a component of the Basic Package of Health Services, so primary health care staff are expected to recognise and manage common mental disorders. Psychosocial counsellors work in most comprehensive health centres. WHO describes facilities treating mental health problems as scarce, with shortages of trained counsellors, especially female counsellors, and of psychotropic medicines. More information
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Medical Council of the Ministry of Public Health. The Medical Council of the Ministry of Public Health checks the academic credentials and professional licences of doctors and other health workers, including in private health centres. Ask for the practitioner's ministry licence.
Urgent help in Afghanistan
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 102 · Medical assistance
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: emro.who.int, who.int
Signs to look out for
Everyone sleeps badly sometimes, especially during stress. Insomnia may need attention when you regularly struggle to fall asleep, wake up often or very early and cannot get back to sleep, or wake unrefreshed, for several weeks, and it affects your mood, concentration, energy or safety during the day. Worrying about sleep itself often becomes part of the problem.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is recommended as a first-line treatment for chronic insomnia. It includes sleep scheduling, stimulus control, work on unhelpful beliefs about sleep and relaxation techniques. Psychologists and clinical psychologists trained in CBT-I usually provide it, individually, in groups or through guided digital programmes. A doctor should rule out physical causes and other sleep disorders.
When to seek urgent help
Seek prompt medical attention if you stop breathing or gasp during sleep, fall asleep while driving or in dangerous situations, or go several nights with almost no sleep alongside unusual energy, racing thoughts or confusion. If lack of sleep comes with hopelessness or thoughts of harming yourself, contact your local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department.
What you can do in the meantime
Keep a regular wake-up time every day, including weekends, and only go to bed when you feel sleepy. If you cannot sleep after a while, get up and do something calm in dim light until you feel drowsy. Limit caffeine after midday, alcohol and heavy meals at night. Reduce screens before bed and get daylight and movement during the day.
What does a therapist do?
A therapist helps you talk through what is worrying you and find practical ways to feel and cope better. In sessions they listen, ask questions, help you notice patterns in your thoughts, emotions and relationships, and agree goals with you. Depending on their training they may use cognitive-behavioural, humanistic, systemic, psychodynamic or other evidence-based approaches, with individuals, couples, families or groups.
When to see a therapist
It makes sense to look for a therapist when stress, anxiety, low mood, grief, relationship problems, a difficult change or the effects of past experiences start to weigh on your daily life, or when you simply want space to understand yourself better. If symptoms are severe, you may need medication or there are signs of a medical cause, involve your doctor or a psychiatrist as well.
How to choose
When choosing, check the licence and training, the approach they use and whether they have experience with what you need. Consider practical aspects too: language, price, location or online sessions and availability. The relationship with the professional matters a great deal; if after a few sessions it does not feel right, it is fine to change.
Frequently asked questions
Does the public health system in Afghanistan cover psychological care?
Mental health is a component of the Basic Package of Health Services, so primary health care staff are expected to recognise and manage common mental disorders. Psychosocial counsellors work in most comprehensive health centres. WHO describes facilities treating mental health problems as scarce, with shortages of trained counsellors, especially female counsellors, and of psychotropic medicines.
How do I check that a therapist is licensed in Afghanistan?
Medical Council of the Ministry of Public Health: The Medical Council of the Ministry of Public Health checks the academic credentials and professional licences of doctors and other health workers, including in private health centres. Ask for the practitioner's ministry licence.