Exploring the Essence of Islamic-Oriented Counseling: Insights from Iranian Therapists

This qualitative study explores the essence of Islamic-oriented counseling through a thematic analysis of semi-structured deep interviews with 13 counselors in Iran. Four significant themes emerged from the data: Divine-Oriented Counseling, Development of Islamic Counseling Framework, Holistic Islamic Perspective on Human Nature, and Islamic Counseling Techniques. The Divine-Oriented Counseling theme emphasizes the foundational principles rooted in divine guidance and adherence to Islamic Sharia, highlighting the integration of Islamic values into therapeutic practices. The Development of Islamic Counseling Framework theme focuses on constructing a psychotherapeutic framework grounded in Islamic principles, while the Holistic Islamic Perspective on Human Nature theme underscores counselors' comprehensive understanding of human beings within an Islamic framework. The Islamic Counseling Techniques theme represents the practical implementation of Islamic-oriented counseling approaches, emphasizing the application of spiritual interventions and religious coping mechanisms. These findings underscore the significance of integrating Islamic principles into counseling practices to promote holistic well-being within an Islamic framework. The study contributes to the growing body of research on Islamic-oriented counseling and offers practical insights for practitioners seeking to better meet the needs of Muslim clients within a culturally responsive therapeutic framework.