Why Faith-Aware Counselling Matters

For many people, faith is not just a belief but a huge part of their identity. Notably, in times of distress it can shape how they make sense of the world, find comfort, and cope in times of difficulty. Yet too often, traditional therapy overlooks this vital part of a person’s identity.

A 2025 peer-reviewed study published in Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice found that many Muslim clients in the UK felt unseen or misunderstood when their religion was ignored in therapy. Participants described feeling powerless and unseen when attempting to bring their faith into sessions. They felt that they often had to chose between their faith and therapy and described a significant emotional impact when Islam was excluded or minimised.

The authors, concluded that faith-sensitive counselling builds stronger trust, engagement, and wellbeing outcomes, and that services should integrate clients’ spiritual and cultural worldviews as part of good clinical practice (Islam & Chadwick, 2025)

Multiple empirical studies show that when clients’ faith and religious coping are integrated into therapy, outcomes are improved (e.g., Post & Wade 2009; Pearce et al. 2014). In work with Muslim clients specifically, it has been recommended that therapists ask about religious meaning, assess for spiritual struggles and integrate faith resources (Abu Raiya & Pargament 2010). Recent research in young people shows spirituality often protects against depression and anxiety (Aggarwal et al. 2023). In fact, tailored approaches such as combining Islamic psychology with established therapeutic models like ACT are now being considered (Khan et al. 2025)

If you would like to explore therapy that takes into account your faith and spirituality, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Safa & Serenity Counselling to see how we might be able to help. We understand how frustrating it can feel when you are trying to heal through therapy, but you have to leave a part of you outside the door. We understand that embracing all of you as a whole is what helps you heal.

Our approach combines evidence-based psychological methods with a deep respect for your faith and values, creating a space where you can bring your whole self to therapy - mind, body, and spirit.

“Therapy should never ask you to choose between your mental health and your faith.”