Workshop Objectives:
- Understand the interplay between Islamic culture, mental health, and professional interactions.
- Identify and address common misconceptions and biases about Muslim clients and their mental health needs.
- Learn evidence-based techniques to support clients in managing anxiety and depression while incorporating culturally relevant approaches.
- Explore holistic, body-centered methods and therapeutic interventions for healing.
Workshop Outline:
1. Foundations of Islamic Culture
- Core Islamic beliefs and practices (e.g., prayer, fasting, modesty)
- Cultural diversity within Muslim communities.
- The role of spirituality in coping with distress.
- 2. Anxiety and Depression in Muslim Clients
- Recognizing unique stressors for Muslim clients, such as:
- Discrimination, Islamophobia, and cultural identity struggles.
- Guilt or shame related to religious practices.
- Exploring mental health stigma within Muslim communities and its impact on help-seeking behavior.
3. Understanding Anxiety and the Body:
- Overview of Polyvagal Theory and how anxiety affects the nervous system.
- Different counselling schools:
- Psychodynamic therapy: Exploring past experiences and unconscious processes.
- Gestalt therapy: Working in the present moment with body awareness.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
- Holistic Approaches:
- Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT): Using tapping to reduce anxiety.
- Incorporating color therapy, aromatherapy, and nature-based practices.
- Body-based meditation and somatic techniques to restore balance.
- Islamic Approach.
4. Relationships and Boundaries:
- Supporting clients in setting healthy boundaries.
- Addressing relational challenges within cultural and familial contexts.
- 5. Tools and Resources
- Recommended readings, organizations, and apps tailored for Muslim clients.
- Guidelines for maintaining cultural sensitivity in virtual and in-person sessions.
What you can expect from this workshop:
• We aim to provide a safe space to explore the benefits of body-based meditation
• There’s a good mix of teaching, experiential practice, and discussion.
CPD certificate will be provided on request for a small fee.
Testimonials:
"Thank you so much for the session today. You provided a wealth of information. I loved the holistic approach to dealing with anxiety, it makes so much sense to understand how anxiety manifests itself in the body and I really liked the breathing and body scan practises. You have given me lots to think about professionally, as a counselling student and personally."
"I really enjoyed it, it has been really good to experience an overview of tools and modalities that can be used. I like the way you have tailored it to my needs which was really personal and very effective"
“Really nice workshop, I liked the exercises, your warmth and openness, having to discuss exercises with new people”
“knowledge and explanation of reptilian brain and thinking brain”
“I liked the self-development aspect of the day. The meditation was fantastic. I really feel I was able to connect with my inner child and have been able to identify her needs, and how these impact my relationships, I would have liked the day to be longer”.
