Psychotherapy

[tranquility]

What's your opinion on psychotherapy? I'm not talking about psychiatry, which may involve psychiatric medications. I'm talking about psychotherapy, where there are no medications involved.

[sister herb]

I had to answer as I don´t know as I haven´t enough knowledge about psychotherapy. But if it is something what helps someone, then why not.

[~Zaria~]

Assalamu-alaikum,

The best, and often the only 'psychotherapy' that a muslim needs, can be found in the Quraan, and in the teachings of the prophet (sallahu alaihi wasalam).

Islam holds the all answers - not only with regards to matters of worship - but every aspect of life.

Its most unfortunate to see a muslim who has read books such as 'The Secret' or 'Eat, Pray, Love' and so many others - yet they hardly ever open the Quraan, and they do not know/ care to learn about the life of the most blessed man to have walked this earth - Muhammed (sallahu alaihi wasalam).

Do we really believe that the likes of Freud and others have better solutions to our problems - than our Creator?

No wonder we are at such a loss in life!

The further away we move from the Quraan and Sunnah, and the more we encompass a westernised manner of living - the further removed will we find ourselves from the mercy and guidance of Allah!

In every rakaat of prayer, 5 times or more a day, we read Surah Fathiha.

Have we contemplated on what we are actually saying when we read this blessed surah?
Have we ever wondered why it is that Allah (subhanawatáala) has opened His glorious Quraan and requested that this surah be recited so many times a day?

Or do we read like parrots, with our minds still left behind in the attachments of this dunya?

Translation of Verses 5-6 of Surah Fatiha:

'You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help.
Guide us to the Straight Way.'

Everytime we stand in salaah, we are asking Allah for His help and His guidance.
We are singling Allah (subhanawataála) out, and saying that we are in absolute need of Him - for every single thing in our lives.....for every single breathe, and every single beat of our hearts.

So, why dont we turn to Allah (to the Quraan) and the best example for mankind (the Sunnah) - when we are in distress?

Allah loves the servant who turns to Him.

There can never be any better guidance on this earth, than seeking guidance from our Rabb.
SubhanAllah.

[CosmicPathos]

psychotherapy does wonders for mild-moderate depression. For severe depression, its role is not clear as evidence is not strong.

Same with combination of pharmacotherapy + psychotherapy.

CBT has the most evidence in its favor.

Moreover, psychotherapy is usually good for maintenance and not acute episodes.

Hope that helps.

I myself get CBT. It is expensive but worth it.

w salam.

[Faseeha]

What's your opinion on psychotherapy? I'm not talking about psychiatry, which may involve psychiatric medications. I'm talking about psychotherapy, where there are no medications involved.

Psychotherapy is one method of emotional and mental healing, there are other methods which receive the same results with a much quicker procedure, for example Hypnotherapy.

Granted Islam holds the answers, but just as we seek medical assistance when dealing with a medical condition, mental illnesses do exist, and need to be treated, Islam does not forbid this.

[جوري]

I don't like the poll Q's is that OK to say? If it works for some people then it is good, but I personally would look for an alternate route.. In fact I was there and all I can say of mental afflictions in general:

Sahih International
And when I am ill, it is He who cures me

I guess I just don't trust other people's counsel or accept their help..

[~Zaria~]

Psychotherapy is one method of emotional and mental healing, there are other methods which receive the same results with a much quicker procedure, for example Hypnotherapy.

Granted Islam holds the answers, but just as we seek medical assistance when dealing with a medical condition, mental illnesses do exist, and need to be treated, Islam does not forbid this.

Wa-alaikumsalam ukthi,

Islam certainly does not forbid seeking assistance for any type of medical condition.

With regards to psychological problems (which are not requiring of medications, as per the OP), we should first turn towards Allah and make a concerted effort in strengthening our relationship with our Rabb.
And if we still find a need for 'psychotherapy', insha Allah, it would be more beneficial to find a muslim in the field, who may be able to guide the person towards Allah and His Rasul (sallalahu alaihi wasalam).

Allah (subhanawa'taa'la) is the source for all healing.
So, it would make sense to first turn towards the Source directly, before looking towards the small tributaries leading from it.

[IbnAbdulHakim]

I wouldnt go near it or want anyone I care about to go near it either.

Mainly because I believe islam has the answers to everything, and correct me if I'm wrong but such therapy looks elsewhere rather then islam

[joyous fairy]

Salam,

I suppose people deal with things in different ways and some people find it easier to come to terms with and deal with things by talking and I think its great for people to be able to do that with trained professionals. For me personally, I dont see it as something that I would consider.

[joesixpack]

The best, and often the only 'psychotherapy' that a muslim needs, can be found in the Quraan, and in the teachings of the prophet (sallahu alaihi wasalam).

I must respectfully disagree with you on this. And I should add that this is a dangerous attitude to take towards mental illness. I think trying to find an answer in any religious text without the help of a scholar could lead one down an unhealthy path. Here in North America, there are many religious psychotherapists who use therapy within the context of the patients religious faith to help deal with the emotional difficulties which they face. Remember, before there was even a branch of science called Psychology, there were Imams, priests, rabbis and ministers for a troubled person to go to for help. These men were the first psychotherapists. I think it would be a mistake to throw the baby out with the bathwater here.

I will agree with you that if your faith is at all important to you, you should seek help from a therapist who respects (or better still, shares) your faith.

[joyous fairy]

I wouldnt go near it or want anyone I care about to go near it either.

Mainly because I believe islam has the answers to everything, and correct me if I'm wrong but such therapy looks elsewhere rather then islam

Isn't there such a thing as Islamic Psychotherapy?

I'm sure there are Muslim psychotherapists out there so psychotherapy doesn't have to exclude Islam and vice versa. Besides, we as Muslims should get counsel from others if we do not know. For instance, if I was depressed I would require someone to advise me on how to become a better Muslim and how to get closer to Allah (swt). Wouldn't that advice come under psychotherapy?

[جوري]

And I should add that this is a dangerous attitude to take towards mental illness.

Depends on the mental illness no?
at any rate no one can really tell you the etiology of some of the common mental illnesses that plague people although there are theories-- and believe it or not having a medication that treats depression as opposed to say depression + panic attack is nothing more than one company submitting a patent for both when they have the exact same ingredients. And the ingredients don't fare better than some of the common OTC meds like St. John's liver wort and both in fact fail by a landslide to placebos so finding the answer in Islam is the best.

and Allah swt knows best

peace

[joesixpack]

Depends on the mental illness no?
at any rate no one can really tell you the etiology of some of the common mental illnesses that plague people although there are theories-- and believe it or not having a medication that treats depression as opposed to say depression + panic attack is nothing more than one company submitting a patent for both when they have the exact same ingredients. And the ingredients don't fare better than some of the common OTC meds like St. John's liver wort and both in fact fail by a landslide to placebos

I think you misunderstood me. I don't suggest medication.

We're the scholars so why should we delegate that task to someone else?

I think it's good to talk to someone about your problems, and I think that person shouldn't be invested in the outcome the way a family member or spouse is, and I also think people will tend to lie to themselves, so being ones own scholar can (and has) gotten people into trouble. I don't think it's a sign of weakness of character or inconstancy of faith to seek help from a person trained in psychology. I'm not saying it's for everyone, but I don't think it should be dismissed outright.

[~Zaria~]

I must respectfully disagree with you on this. And I should add that this is a dangerous attitude to take towards mental illness. I think trying to find an answer in any religious text without the help of a scholar could lead one down an unhealthy path. Here in North America, there are many religious psychotherapists who use therapy within the context of the patients religious faith to help deal with the emotional difficulties which they face. Remember, before there was even a branch of science called Psychology, there were Imams, priests, rabbis and ministers for a troubled person to go to for help. These men were the first psychotherapists. I think it would be a mistake to throw the baby out with the bathwater here.

I will agree with you that if your faith is at all important to you, you should seek help from a therapist who respects (or better still, shares) your faith.

It is ok to disagree with me.

For a muslim, islam is a Way of Life.

There is no other religion that offers a supplication to be read before: entering the toilet, wearing clothes, embarking on a journey, engaging in intimate relations with ones spouse, entering/ leaving the home and so much more.

So, we do not doubt that the Quraan and Sunnah holds the solutions to our psychological (and other) distresses as well.

This was posted in another thread:

SubhanAllah - how blessed is this ummah!

[IbnAbdulHakim]

Isn't there such a thing as Islamic Psychotherapy?

I'm sure there are Muslim psychotherapists out there so psychotherapy doesn't have to exclude Islam and vice versa. Besides, we as Muslims should get counsel from others if we do not know. For instance, if I was depressed I would require someone to advise me on how to become a better Muslim and how to get closer to Allah (swt). Wouldn't that advice come under psychotherapy?

I think the OP refers to professional, paid help.

never heard of islamic psychotherapy.

I'm all for a learned muslim giving advice, but I wouldnt go to someone who would completely ignore islam, has no understanding of this world as Allaah intended it and then tries to advise me.

[جوري]

I think you misunderstood me. I don't suggest medication.

I know what you meant.. I am not a fan of either methodology but as suggested before I edited if it works for some people I am all for it.

I don't think it's a sign of weakness of character or inconstancy of faith to seek help

I agree with this and I certainly wasn't suggesting that folks are either for seeking help through meds or talking.. I am speaking of my own personal experience as someone who has struggled for a very long time with bouts that can't be summed up in the categories designated by the committee and being on both sides opened my eyes to a third possibility and I explored it with good results praise be to God. It was a journey of self discovery and I certainly think (and I am not praising myself as super) that I am probably able to tolerate extreme conditions on my own without annoying others about it so yeah perhaps someone else would be lying dead in a ditch where I bit the bullet and managed to get through the day.
when you suffer from it, it really can't be summed up in the seemingly blase guidelines and the frankly deficient medications and/or therapies to treat it. I know the questions asked and the responses it isn't tailored it is simply time tested within certain confines. It doesn't help at all when the bloody walls are closing in on you and you can't breathe and you're driving a long stretch from where you can't pull to the side to untie your clothes get a swig of water and take a deep breath.
Some other method is gotta give and it is hardly one that you'll find at a therapist office..
time is up and your bill is $450 type thing..

peace

[CosmicPathos]

I dont believe Quran has explicit solutions for depression. It has some ideas mentioned in it, which if applied, can prevent one falling into depression. But if one is already in a perpetual cycle of depression, existential crises, low mood, suicidal ideation, machine-gunning with Quranic verses aint gonna help. How does Quran help someone who hass repressed childhood issues? One who failed to develop attachment with parents? How does Quran actually solve their problems? Quran is silent on many such issues. :S

CBT helps ppl change their negative thinking patterns into positive ones so they can live happy lives, cuz frankly they should live happy lives and not wallow away while others keep on enjoying their life (atheists included) who by sheer luck were born into more ideal and positive family/surroundings/society.

[Hulk]

Guys, keep in mind that any form of study or whatever is still part of understanding creation. I don't believe there is anything wrong with using methods that have been developed non-muslims. With our perspective as muslims we would still credit all to God. Remember that Allah grants knowledge to whoever He wills.

Use our deen and intelligence as a guide to find the proper solution. Don't forget that everything is from Allah, just because the people who developed/discovered/researched something and has understood how it works yet do not credit the Creator does not mean that we can't see it that way. Importance of worldview..

[joyous fairy]

Yeh, we should aim to start an Islamic Psychotherapy organisation..

[Ghazalah]

Psychotherapy has been a huge help to many Muslims I know and it did not deter them away from Islam.

However Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution Therapy or Counselling as a whole, is just a means, and frankly that is all it is. Everything is in the hands of Allah swt, if He wishes for you to get better, then He can do so through Counselling or Therapy, if He doesn't then you can go through the best Therapy in the world it will not help you.

Yeh, we should aim to start an Islamic Psychotherapy organisation..

There are some Islamic Counselling Organisations. Sukoon is one, but they are only able to do online therapy/counselling to those who are not situated in the same city. Lateef Project is another. (UK based)