Islamic Psychology and Counselling: Level 1 - Sakeena Institute

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Islamic Psychology and Counselling: Level 1

Islamic Psychology and Counselling: Level 1

Course Overview

Modern psychology often struggles to address the spiritual void at the heart of many mental health challenges. This Level 1 certification offers a rigorous introduction to the “Psychology of the Soul” (Ilm al-Nafs). We bridge the gap between ancient Islamic wisdom and modern clinical psychotherapy, providing a framework that treats the human being as a holistic entity: body, mind, and spirit.

Course Objectives

By the end of this program, you will be able to:

Understand core principles of Islamic psychology and how they differ from conventional approaches
Identify common emotional and spiritual challenges through an Islamic framework
Apply psychosocial assessment techniques adapted for Muslim clients
Use mindfulness and Islamic contemplative practices for emotional regulation
Develop basic counselling skills rooted in empathy, Islamic values, and evidence-based methods
Recognize when to refer clients for professional psychological support.

Detailed Course Curriculum: A Transformative Week-by-Week Journey

Module 1: Laying the Foundations

Session 1: Introduction to Islamic Psychology: History, Philosophy & Goals

Objective:To establish a clear understanding of Islamic psychology as a distinct, holistic discipline with a rich historical tradition.
Key Concepts:Explore the origins of Islamic psychology in the Quran and Sunnah and the works of early Muslim scholars like Al-Ghazali and Ibn Sina. Differentiate its soul-centric model from purely secular approaches. Discuss its ultimate goal: achieving tranquility of the heart (itmi’nan al-qalb) and purification of the self (tazkiyat al-nafs).
Outcome:You will articulate the unique value proposition of Islamic psychology and its complementary relationship with modern therapeutic models.

Session 2: The Human Structure: Nafs, Qalb, Aql & Ruh

Objective:To comprehend the multi-dimensional Islamic model of the human being and its implications for mental health.
Key Concepts:Undertake a detailed study of the seven stages of the Nafs (from Ammara to Kamilah), the role of the Qalb as the center of faith and emotion, the Aql as the faculty of reasoning, and the Ruh as the divine spirit. Analyze how imbalance in one dimension affects the whole.
Outcome:You will be able to map personal or observed struggles onto this framework, identifying potential root causes in the states of the Nafs or the health of the Qalb.

Module 2: Understanding the Inner Struggles

Session 3: The Psychology of Waswasa (Intrusive Whisperings)

Objective:To deconstruct anxiety, doubt, and obsessive thoughts from both spiritual and cognitive-behavioral perspectives.
Key Concepts:Examine Waswasa in its clinical dimensions, linking it to concepts like Cognitive Distortions and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Learn Prophetic strategies for management alongside psychological tools like Cognitive Restructuring and Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) adapted with an Islamic ethos.
Outcome:You will develop a personalized toolkit of spiritual and psychological techniques to manage intrusive thoughts and anxiety.

Session 4: Grief, Sadness & Spiritual Disconnect

Objective:To normalize and navigate emotions of grief and sadness through an Islamic paradigm, recognizing when they require clinical attention.
Key Concepts:Distinguish between natural grief (huzn), spiritual melancholy, and clinical depression. Study the Islamic narrative of patience (sabr) and hope (raja‘) in times of loss. Integrate therapeutic practices of narrative therapy and behavioral activation with the healing found in prayer, remembrance (dhikr), and community (silah al-rahim).
Outcome:You will gain a compassionate framework to process personal grief and to support others experiencing loss or low mood.

Session 5: Anger, Agitation & Emotional Regulation

Objective:To master the mechanisms of anger and learn Prophetic and psychological methods for self-regulation.
Key Concepts:Analyze the root causes of anger from a neuropsychological and spiritual perspective. Practice specific, Sunnah-based actions to cool anger in the moment. Learn long-term strategies from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), such as distress tolerance and emotion regulation skills, framed within the Islamic objective of controlling the Nafs.
Outcome:You will acquire immediate and long-term strategies to transform reactive anger into measured, purposeful responses.

Module 3: The Principles of Faith-Based Counselling

Session 6: The Islamic Counselling Ethos: Ethics, Boundaries & Rapport

Objective:To establish the ethical foundation and core conditions for effective, faith-conscious counselling.
Key Concepts:Define the Islamic ethical principles of confidentiality (amanah), empathy (rahmah), and non-judgment. Learn to set and maintain healthy professional boundaries. Explore the critical skill of building rapport and trust (thiqa) with a client/seekers, creating a safe spiritual and emotional space.
Outcome:You will be able to establish a helping relationship that is both professionally sound and spiritually aligned.

Session 7: Core Skill I: The Art of Deep Listening & Empathic Reflection

Objective:To move beyond passive hearing to active, transformative listening.
Key Concepts:Master the micro-skills of active listening: attending behavior, paraphrasing, and summarizing. Learn the technique of empathic reflection, mirroring both content and emotion, to make a seeker feel profoundly understood. Understand how to listen for both psychological and spiritual themes in a narrative.
Outcome:You will enhance your communication in all relationships and be able to facilitate deeper self-awareness in others through reflective listening.

Session 8: Core Skill II: Facilitating Insight with Purposeful Questioning

Objective:To use strategic questioning to guide self-discovery and solution-building.
Key Concepts:Differentiate between closed, open, and circular questions. Practice Socratic questioning to challenge unhelpful beliefs and “Miracle Questions” to build hope and envision change, all while steering the conversation towards Islamic sources of strength and wisdom.
Outcome:You will learn to ask empowering questions that help others uncover their own resources and solutions, guided by faith.

Module 4: Integration & Application

Session 9: Integrating Spiritual Practices into Therapeutic Healing

Objective:To map specific Islamic worships as direct, therapeutic interventions for psychological states.
Key Concepts:Prescribe dhikr for anxiety and distraction, therapeutic dua for grief and helplessness, and mindfulness in prayer (khushu) for grounding and focus. Learn how to collaboratively design a “Worship Prescription” that addresses specific emotional or behavioral challenges.
Outcome:You will be able to creatively and appropriately integrate acts of worship into a holistic healing plan for yourself or others.

Session 10: Your Path Forward: Application, Review & Next Steps

Objective:To consolidate learning and create a practical roadmap for ongoing development and application.
Key Concepts:Review the complete integrated model. Workshop real-world scenarios to apply the full spectrum of skills. Discuss the limits of this foundational training and pathways for further study in Islamic counselling or psychology. Create a personalized action plan.
Outcome:You will leave with confidence in your new knowledge, a clear plan for its application, and an understanding of how to continue your professional or personal development in this field.

What You Will Receive

10 Live, Interactive Lectures:Engage in direct teaching, live Q&A, and practical breakout room exercises.
Comprehensive Course Manual & Toolkit:A detailed workbook with session notes, reflective exercises, practical worksheets, and a curated list of spiritual-psychological tools.
Access to a Private Learning Community:Connect with peers in a dedicated forum for ongoing discussion, support, and networking.
Certificate of Completion:A formal certificate awarded upon full attendance, validating your foundational training.
On-Demand Access to Recordings:Review all session recordings for 12 months to reinforce your learning.

Who Is This Course For?

This course is essential for:

Individuals seeking a profound, faith-based framework for personal emotional and spiritual development.
Community leaders, teachers, youth workers, and volunteers who provide frontline support.
Students of psychology, counselling, or Islamic studies looking for a meaningful integrative specialization.
Anyone committed to becoming a source of informed, compassionate, and spiritually-grounded support within their family and community.

Enrol today and begin your journey to master the art of heart-centered, faith-informed healing and support.

Session 1: Introduction to Islamic Psychology: History, Philosophy & Goals
 Objective: To establish a clear understanding of Islamic psychology as a distinct, holistic discipline with a rich historical tradition.  Key Concepts: Explore the origins of Islamic psychology in the Quran and Sunnah and the works of early Muslim scholars like Al-Ghazali and Ibn Sina. Differentiate its soul-centric model from purely secular approaches. Discuss its ultimate goal: achieving tranquility of the heart (itmi'nan al-qalb) and purification of the self (tazkiyat al-nafs).  Outcome: You will articulate the unique value proposition of Islamic psychology and its complementary relationship with modern therapeutic models.

Session 2: The Human Structure: Nafs, Qalb, Aql & Ruh
 Objective: To comprehend the multi-dimensional Islamic model of the human being and its implications for mental health.  Key Concepts: Undertake a detailed study of the seven stages of the Nafs (from Ammara to Kamilah), the role of the Qalb as the center of faith and emotion, the Aql as the faculty of reasoning, and the Ruh as the divine spirit. Analyze how imbalance in one dimension affects the whole.  Outcome: You will be able to map personal or observed struggles onto this framework, identifying potential root causes in the states of the Nafs or the health of the Qalb.

Session 3: The Psychology of Waswasa (Intrusive Whisperings)
 Objective: To deconstruct anxiety, doubt, and obsessive thoughts from both spiritual and cognitive-behavioral perspectives.  Key Concepts: Examine Waswasa in its clinical dimensions, linking it to concepts like Cognitive Distortions and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Learn Prophetic strategies for management alongside psychological tools like Cognitive Restructuring and Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) adapted with an Islamic ethos.  Outcome: You will develop a personalized toolkit of spiritual and psychological techniques to manage intrusive thoughts and anxiety.

Session 4: Grief, Sadness & Spiritual Disconnect
 Objective: To normalize and navigate emotions of grief and sadness through an Islamic paradigm, recognizing when they require clinical attention.  Key Concepts: Distinguish between natural grief (huzn), spiritual melancholy, and clinical depression. Study the Islamic narrative of patience (sabr) and hope (raja‘) in times of loss. Integrate therapeutic practices of narrative therapy and behavioral activation with the healing found in prayer, remembrance (dhikr), and community (silah al-rahim).  Outcome: You will gain a compassionate framework to process personal grief and to support others experiencing loss or low mood.

Session 5: Anger, Agitation & Emotional Regulation
 Objective: To master the mechanisms of anger and learn Prophetic and psychological methods for self-regulation.  Key Concepts: Analyze the root causes of anger from a neuropsychological and spiritual perspective. Practice specific, Sunnah-based actions to cool anger in the moment. Learn long-term strategies from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), such as distress tolerance and emotion regulation skills, framed within the Islamic objective of controlling the Nafs.  Outcome: You will acquire immediate and long-term strategies to transform reactive anger into measured, purposeful responses.

Session 6: The Islamic Counselling Ethos: Ethics, Boundaries & Rapport
 Objective: To establish the ethical foundation and core conditions for effective, faith-conscious counselling.  Key Concepts: Define the Islamic ethical principles of confidentiality (amanah), empathy (rahmah), and non-judgment. Learn to set and maintain healthy professional boundaries. Explore the critical skill of building rapport and trust (thiqa) with a client/seekers, creating a safe spiritual and emotional space.  Outcome: You will be able to establish a helping relationship that is both professionally sound and spiritually aligned.

Session 7: Core Skill I: The Art of Deep Listening & Empathic Reflection
 Objective: To move beyond passive hearing to active, transformative listening.  Key Concepts: Master the micro-skills of active listening: attending behavior, paraphrasing, and summarizing. Learn the technique of empathic reflection, mirroring both content and emotion, to make a seeker feel profoundly understood. Understand how to listen for both psychological and spiritual themes in a narrative.  Outcome: You will enhance your communication in all relationships and be able to facilitate deeper self-awareness in others through reflective listening.

Session 8: Core Skill II: Facilitating Insight with Purposeful Questioning
 Objective: To use strategic questioning to guide self-discovery and solution-building.  Key Concepts: Differentiate between closed, open, and circular questions. Practice Socratic questioning to challenge unhelpful beliefs and "Miracle Questions" to build hope and envision change, all while steering the conversation towards Islamic sources of strength and wisdom.  Outcome: You will learn to ask empowering questions that help others uncover their own resources and solutions, guided by faith.

Session 9: Integrating Spiritual Practices into Therapeutic Healing
 Objective: To map specific Islamic worships as direct, therapeutic interventions for psychological states.  Key Concepts: Prescribe dhikr for anxiety and distraction, therapeutic dua for grief and helplessness, and mindfulness in prayer (khushu) for grounding and focus. Learn how to collaboratively design a "Worship Prescription" that addresses specific emotional or behavioral challenges.  Outcome: You will be able to creatively and appropriately integrate acts of worship into a holistic healing plan for yourself or others.

Session 10: Your Path Forward: Application, Review & Next Steps
 Objective: To consolidate learning and create a practical roadmap for ongoing development and application.  Key Concepts: Review the complete integrated model. Workshop real-world scenarios to apply the full spectrum of skills. Discuss the limits of this foundational training and pathways for further study in Islamic counselling or psychology. Create a personalized action plan.  Outcome: You will leave with confidence in your new knowledge, a clear plan for its application, and an understanding of how to continue your professional or personal development in this field.

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10 Lessons

5 Weeks

Friday & Saturday 5pm (UK Time)

1 hour per session

$95

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