Welcome to Islamic Counselling

Counselling is meant to offer a space for individuals to be able to talk and make sense of their experiences, emotions, thoughts and living realities, to help them to get to know themselves better and to make better choices in their lives. All counselling approaches will aim to do this, regardless of different theoretical models.

Islamic Counselling is based on the Islamic science of the Self, which sees the human self on a “journey of growth, meaning that the Self passes through progressive stages in which each human being evolves toward their highest potential and excellence. Islamic Counselling offers a psychological and spiritual perspective for the individual’s reflections by allowing reconnection and integration with his or her realities as well as the realities beyond the Self. The aim is for the client to discover his or her own choices or path to take, to reflect on who they choose to be, explored in the respectful, safe, presence and company of the counsellor.

The recognition of our shared humanity in the counselling space is held by profound respect towards the pathways that have taken shape in the client’s life. Islamic counselling  is a therapy that utilises the richness of Islamic resources in relation to the understanding of the Self and humanity that can be applied as a therapeutic approach for anyone, whether they belong to the Islamic faith or not, or even if they do not adhere to any faith at all. This is because the emphasis is on psychological and spiritual development combined. Islamic Counselling meets its clients at a level of their core beliefs to look at the essence of what makes us all human (if that is what the client wants) and so it is of significant benefit in working with crisis.

So, what does Islamic Counselling offer?

• A space to deeply listen to those realities (religious-spiritual oriented, non-religious-spiritual oriented, spiritual-existential oriented or purely existential oriented) of the client.

• A space in which the recognition of the adherence to a specific faith and way of life can be a present enabling factor in the client’s development. As Islamic Counsellors, we are trained to be able to work with any Muslims regardless of their sectarian adherence, considering the diversity and differences that exist among Muslims.

• A space in which the recognition of cultural diversity is present. Due to its cultural context, Islamic counselling as a model recognises the implicit and explicit realities of being ‘other’ and the related prejudices experienced by clients. As Islamic Counsellors we are trained to work within the context of the client’s cultural experiences and perspectives. This is very important for Muslims in their definition of their Self in relation to each other and in their definition of their Self in relation to their wider experiences in a wider plural community.

• A Muslim from Pakistan may approach religion and culture very differently to someone from Morocco, whilst sharing the same core beliefs. Either may or may not experience sexism or racism. An Islamic Counsellor can work with issues that are very specific to the lived realities of being, including the variations found within the diverse Muslim community.

How is Islamic Counselling evaluated?

Through comparative long-term research trials, there is evidence to demonstrate that this therapeutic faith-based model efficiently and effectively addresses mental health problems and prevents long term health conditions.

The Lateef Project and Islamic counselling as a therapeutic model were independently evaluated over the first year of the project work in Birmingham. The first evaluation was one-year post assessment of the impact of the intervention on frequent returners and their secondary care use. The second evaluation followed the same format and was carried out by NHS Central Midlands Commissioning Support Unit as a three-year post study.

In the initial one-year study there was an 82% reduction in patient use of secondary care in the areas of elective surgery, non-elective surgery, outpatients and accident and emergency. The reduction in patient use of accident and emergency services was 55%. The total change in patient activity across three years was a reduction in patient activity of 43%. The financial implication of this reduction in patient use of secondary care over the three years was a reduction in cost of 56%, showing a considerable positive economic impact of the Islamic Counselling provided by the Lateef Project. If you would like a copy of this evaluation, please email a request to info@lateefproject.org.

Is Islamic Counselling only for Muslims?

The Lateef Project also works with Non- Muslims and people of no faith by supporting their mental well-being. Feedback from clients, particularly those that follow a particular faith, indicates they value the therapeutic space where they can speak freely about themselves, their lives, their faith and their spirituality – something they have not found in other modalities that do not connect with their spiritual identity. 

The Lateef Project has succeeded in improving the mental wellbeing of people by working in a way that acknowledges, respects and brings in their faith, enabling them to draw strength from a deeper spiritual context.