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December 22, 2020 by JCQLNJCKSN887 Leave a Comment

How Religious Therapy Can Help While Churches Remain Closed Due to COVID-19

For many people, their religion is a big part of their life. Faith and our connection to God are how many of us get through life’s most difficult challenges.

But in recent weeks and months, as the country and world have locked down due to the pandemic, it has been impossible for people to continue to worship at their church, mosque, or synagogue. This has caused many to not only feel isolated but also anxious and depressed.

Religious Therapy: Talk to a Counselor AND God

Traditional therapy has been a means for people to deal with their depression and anxiety for decades. But religious therapy is a rather new offering and one that is helping many people during this, particularly challenging time.

While it may seem that religion and therapy are in direct contrast to each other, the truth is, faith and therapy should not be mutually exclusive. Prayers can be powerful tools for change and so can the mental tools offered by a therapist.

And while therapy will never replace a person’s religion, it can be a wonderful compliment to it, particularly to those people who are suffering right now due to the lockdowns.

Finding a Faith-Based Therapist

Faith-based therapists are themselves religious and enjoy working with clients who share a strong faith in God. These therapists encourage clients to explore psychological issues against the backdrop of religion. The client’s faith is very much a part of the treatment plan and God is right there in the room with the client and therapist.

You have a couple of options when looking for a faith-based therapist near you: You can use an online therapy network such as Talkspace to find a faith-based therapist in your local area.

If you are someone that lives in a rural area or smaller community, and you have trouble finding a faith-based therapist near you, you can always choose online therapy. This means you would connect with a faith-based therapist via online chat.

Exploring your faith in therapy is a way of knowing yourself to the fullest extent. And that in turn only deepens your faith. If you are struggling during the pandemic because you’re not able to attend your local place of worship, consider giving religious therapy a try.

And, if you’re interested in exploring treatment, please get in touch with me!

 

SOURCES:

  • https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/encountering-america/201507/should-we-talk-about-religion-in-therapy
  • https://www.apa.org/topics/covid-19/faith-crisis
  • https://www.talkspace.com/blog/reconciling-religion-and-therapy-why-you-can-talk-to-god-and-a-therapist/

Filed Under: Religion / Spirituality

October 6, 2020 by JCQLNJCKSN887 Leave a Comment

Treating Muslims for PTSD

A Pew Research Center analysis of new hate crimes statistics from the FBI found the number of assaults against Muslims living in America rose significantly between the years of 2015 and 2016. These figures surpassed the level of hate crimes reported even after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. And according to a report put out by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the number of anti-Muslim hate crimes in this country rose an astounding 91% in the first half of 2017 compared with the same period the year before.

Needless to say, the current political and social environment has led to a majority of Muslims dealing with hateful rhetoric. This Islamophobia adds to the trauma many Muslims, who have emigrated to this country seeking safety from war-torn regions, already face.

Often times, trauma has been suppressed by people who have dealt with the reality of savage war. When they come to this country and deal with anger and hostility, this hatefulness can often bring up their suppressed emotions.

Treating PTSD in Muslim Populations

Among others, Kunst’s research suggests that harassment and hostility are the biggest factors contributing to the long-term mental health issues found in Muslim populations. What has also been uncovered is that the younger they are when they experience harassment, the more likely they are to develop PTSD.

While this country has some of the best mental health services available to residents, members of the Muslim community share a similar worldview based on their religious beliefs that dictate how and if members receive treatment from the Westernized healthcare system. For a majority of Muslims, God’s will comes before their own will. This makes seeing treatment for PTSD a bit tricky. Other cultural differences also make seeking treatment next to impossible.

But there are some things clinicians can do to reach out to the Muslim community in an effort to help alleviate their symptoms of PTSD:

Culturally Sensitive Therapy

Research shows how culturally sensitive interventions may make it more likely for Muslims to accept care. The first step is to recognize the hostilities Muslims face in this country. A report in the Journal of Muslim Mental Health suggests therapists recognize the microaggressions and unconscious intolerance Muslims experience on a daily basis that are adding to their trauma. Understand where some of their trauma comes from, specifically their experiences with discrimination based on ethnic background, culture, or religion, and the fear of being deported.

Consider Offering Religious Integrated Therapy

It’s a great idea to seek religious sensitivity training so that you may provide culturally appropriate care to Muslim patients. You may also want to consider implementing religious integrated therapy into your practice. The Khalil Center, the largest national mental health provider for Muslim faith communities, provides a recommended standard for spiritually integrated interventions.

Engage

To understand the people you seek to help, it’s best to engage with them personally to find out how you can best help them. If there are institutions and hospitals in your area that focus on serving Muslim populations, these can be ideal engagement partners to learn more from.

If you or someone you know is Muslim and would like to explore treatment options in a safe and non-judgmental environment, please get in touch with me. I would be happy to discuss how I may be able to help you.

 

SOURCES:

  • https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/cultural-competency/education/stress-and-trauma/muslims
  • https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/vistas/working-with-muslims-perspectives-and-suggestions-for-counseling.pdf?sfvrsn=4

Filed Under: Religion / Spirituality, Trauma / PTSD

Jacqueline Jackson, LCSW



(478) 796-2947 lifesolutioncounselingservices@gmail.com

146 Pierce Avenue
Macon, GA 31204

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Macon, GA 31204

(478) 796-2947
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