Seeking legal support can feel overwhelming, especially when navigating violence, discrimination or an unfamiliar legal system. You deserve to be heard, informed and treated with dignity throughout the process.

Contacts/Information shared upon request

When connecting you can reference Pardā

DOs

• Know your rights: Ask your legal aid provider to explain your rights, available remedies and the legal process in language you understand.

• Ask questions: Clarify timelines, documentation requirements and possible outcomes before making decisions.

• Maintain records: Keep copies of complaints, notices, medical records, relevant messages and other documents in a safe place.

• Share information honestly: Tell your lawyer the relevant facts, including anything you may be worried about, so they can advise you appropriately.

• Understand your options: You can seek a second opinion or ask about alternative legal remedies.

• Protect your privacy: Share sensitive information only through appropriate, secure channels.

• Seek timely assistance: Some legal remedies have deadlines. If you are unsure, seek legal advice as early as possible.

• Ask for accessible support: You can request language assistance, disability accommodations or a lawyer experienced in your specific concerns.

DON'Ts

• Don't feel pressured to withdraw a complaint or settle a matter without understanding the consequences.

• Don't sign documents you don't understand or that contain information you believe is inaccurate.

• Don't assume confidentiality is absolute: Ask your lawyer or legal aid provider about professional confidentiality and its legal limits.

• Don't alter, destroy or fabricate evidence. Preserve relevant material in its original form.

• Don't share sensitive case details publicly without considering privacy, safety and potential legal consequences.

• Don't rely solely on social media for legal advice. Laws and procedures depend on the facts and jurisdiction.

• Don't assume that a delayed complaint means you have no legal options. Seek advice about your specific circumstances.

• Don't blame yourself if the process feels difficult. You are entitled to seek clarification, support and respectful treatment.

If You Experience Misconduct

If a lawyer or legal aid provider behaves inappropriately, discriminates against you, breaches professional obligations or pressures you into decisions, you can reach out to Pardā for guidance on possible next steps.

Contact us at weareparda@gmail.com and share only what you feel comfortable disclosing. We can help you identify appropriate grievance mechanisms or legal aid resources time sensitively.

You do not need to prove misconduct before asking us for guidance.

A note from Pardā: You deserve legal support that respects your agency, explains your options and treats your experiences with dignity. You do not have to navigate the system alone.

In solidarity,

Team Pardā ♡

Thank you for seeking support , we’re really proud of you & here in solidarity always , we’ve divided our mental health resources into high, mid & pro-bono range , please feel free to move forward with whichever is approachable to you.

All of our resources are Trauma-informed, certified , Intersectional Feminist affirming & Queer friendly verified.



DO'S AND DON'TS WHEN CHOOSING A THERAPIST

Finding the right therapist is not just about qualifications. It is about trust,

compatibility and feeling safe enough to speak openly. Choosing someone to

supporting your mental health deserves careful consideration and self-reflection.

THE DO'S

● Know your preferences. Would you feel more comfortable with a woman or

a man? Someone younger or older? Your preferences matter.

● Ask about their worldview. Explore their religious beliefs, political

perspectives and personal values, particularly where these may influence their

therapeutic approach.

● Check their qualifications. Ask about their training, professional registration

and experience with issues relevant to you, particularly trauma or abuse.

● Pay attention to how you feel. Do you feel heard, respected and

comfortable? Notice your emotional and physical responses during and after

each session.

● Ask about confidentiality. Understand what remains private, what the

exceptions are and how your personal information is protected.

● Reflect on your needs. What helps you feel safe? What subjects might be

difficult to discuss? What kind of support are you looking for?

● Allow yourself to reassess. Finding the right therapist may take time. You are

entitled to ask questions, express concerns and seek someone else.

THE DON'TS

● Don't ignore discomfort. Feeling challenged in therapy is sometimes natural,

but feeling repeatedly judged, dismissed or intimidated deserves attention.

● Don't assume neutrality. Every therapist has personal beliefs. What matters

is whether they can recognise their biases and keep them from influencing your

care.

● Don't feel obliged to disclose everything immediately. Trust develops over

time. You have the right to move at your own pace.

● Don't overlook professional boundaries. A therapist should never pressure

you into personal, romantic, financial or other inappropriate relationships.

● Don't mistake authority for compatibility. Qualifications and experience

matter, but they do not automatically make someone the right therapist for you.

● Don't silence your instincts. If something feels wrong, you are allowed to

question it, seek a second opinion or leave.

REMEMBER

Therapy should be a space where your voice is heard, your autonomy is respected and your boundaries are honoured. You are not there to earn your therapist's approval/A good therapist will never tell you what to do. You are there to receive support.

Contact/Information sent upon request

1. Samvad NGO - Book here

If You Experience Unethical Behaviour

If something about your experience with a mental health professional feels inappropriate or concerning, you are welcome to reach out to Pardā privately.

You can contact us at weareparda@gmail.com and share whatever you feel comfortable sharing. You do not need to have all the answers, use clinical or legal terminology, or provide proof before approaching us.

We will listen without judgment, help you understand your options and, where possible, guide you towards appropriate support or complaint mechanisms. Your privacy and autonomy will be respected, subject to applicable legal obligations and safety considerations.

A Note from Pardā

Seeking support can be a vulnerable step, and you deserve to feel safe throughout the process. You are allowed to ask for help, set boundaries, change your mind and seek care that feels right for you.

Your healing is your own, and you deserve to be met with compassion, dignity and respect at every step.

With love and solidarity,

Team Pardā ♡