What does it take to mend strained relationships between parents and children? 

Misunderstandings, unresolved feelings, and emotional distances are often the primary reasons for rifts within families. 

For Aamir Khan, the journey toward rebuilding the bond with his children started with an unconventional and powerful tool—joint therapy or family therapy.

In a candid conversation with Dr. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. Surgeon General, Aamir Khan joined his daughter Ira Khan to discuss mental health and the transformative role of therapy.

Reflecting on his past, Aamir expressed regret for not being more present for his children, Ira and Junaid, during their upbringing. 

“Therapy is so helpful,” he said. “I think Ira pushed me down that path. We even started joint therapy to work on our relationship… It’s been transformative.”

Ira, who has openly shared her mental health journey on social media, emphasized the significance of understanding and communication in family dynamics. At first, Ira thought she could deal with her depression herself and would watch television for 20 hours. Instead of feeling better, she ended up with eyes and head that hurt. It was only when she stopped eating because it felt like too much effort that she hesitantly reached out to her mother.

“You need to keep asking for help in different ways at different times,” she says in the video, referring to how she decided to post a letter to her mother instead of texting her.

Ira also touches upon the Agatsu Foundation, which she set up in 2021, where she says that loneliness is a huge mental challenge among young adults. “Everybody comes and says ‘I don’t have any friends’,” she says.

Ira’s advocacy mirrors broader efforts to normalize therapy in India, where mental health continues to be stigmatized. Aamir acknowledged this, stating, “Many feel going for therapy means you have a problem. But we all need help sometimes, and therapy is an incredible tool to understand our minds better.”

This is not the first time Aamir Khan has spoken about turning to therapy. In 2023, he revealed that he had been going to therapy for 2 years and that it has helped him become mindful about the time he spends with his family. Ira, too, has been open about her diagnosis of clinical depression in 2018. 

What is joint therapy?

Joint therapy, a collaborative therapeutic approach, provides a safe space where family members can express feelings, address longstanding issues, and rebuild connections.

“In joint therapy, both members attend sessions together, allowing the therapist to observe their interactions and guide them in breaking unhealthy patterns, improving communication, and fostering mutual understanding,” says organizational psychologist and existential therapist, Gurleen Baruah to The Indian Express. 

Research highlights how family therapy improves communication, reduces conflict, and strengthens emotional bonds, creating a foundation for healthier relationships​.

How celebrities have embraced therapy

It’s not just Aamir and Ira. Other celebrities have spoken up about their mental health struggles in recent times.

In October, 2024, in an interview with The Lallantop, Alia Bhatt talked about her diagnosis of ADHD and how she struggled with being present in the moment.

Earlier, this year, the well-known Mollywood actor, Fahadh Faasil, also disclosed his recent ADHD diagnosis.

However, one of the first celebrities who was vocal about mental health issues is Deepika Padukone, who has spoken extensively about her struggles with clinical depression. In 2015, she set up the Live Love Laugh Foundation to spread awareness and help others receive the same support she did.

While Virat Kohli, too, went through depression in 2023, others like Kalki Koechlin and Ileana D’Cruz have spoken about their journey through postpartum depression and body image issues, respectively. 

Banner image source: Moneycontrol