Faith-Based Spiritual Care
One of the unique aspects of The Sacred Pause is the ability to offer both fully secular, evidence-based care AND deeply integrated faith-based spiritual support—with equal authenticity and expertise.
My practice is welcoming to people of all faiths and no faith. You will never feel pressured to engage with religious content. At the same time, if faith is central to your life and you want spiritual care that honors your beliefs, I can offer that with depth and integrity.
This is always optional and completely client-led—you decide how much faith-based .
Islamic Spiritual Care & Counseling
One of the unique aspects of The Sacred Pause is the ability to offer both fully secular, evidence-based care AND deeply integrated faith-based spiritual support—with equal authenticity and expertise.
My practice is welcoming to people of all faiths and no faith. You will never feel pressured to engage with religious content. At the same time, if faith is central to your life and you want spiritual care that honors your beliefs, I can offer that with depth and integrity.
This is always optional and completely client-led—you decide how much faith-based content feels right for you, and we can adjust session by session.
With a Master's degree in Islamic Studies, a Bachelor's degree in Islamic Theology and Law, extensive traditional seminary training, and years of experience serving Muslim communities in clinical settings, I offer spiritually integrated care that honors Islamic values, teachings, and practices.
I have studied under world-class Islamic scholars from institutions including Harvard, Duke, Georgetown, Cambridge, UC Berkeley, and Al-Azhar, and I've completed traditional Islamic education alongside contemporary academic training. I understand both the scholarly tradition and the lived reality of being Muslim in America today.
Whether you're a lifelong Muslim, a recent convert/revert, someone questioning your faith, or simply seeking culturally informed care, I bring both clinical competency and Islamic literacy to our work.
What Islamic Spiritual Care Includes:
✓ Spiritual direction rooted in Islamic tradition - Guidance drawing from Quranic wisdom, Prophetic example, and the rich contemplative heritage of Islamic spirituality
✓ Integration of Quranic wisdom and Prophetic guidance - When relevant and desired, incorporating verses, hadith, and Islamic teachings into our therapeutic work
✓ Support for religious questions and faith struggles - A safe space to explore doubts, questions, and challenges with faith without judgment
✓ Culturally sensitive care for Muslim individuals and families - Understanding the unique pressures, joys, and complexities of Muslim life in contemporary America
✓ Grief and loss support within an Islamic framework - Honoring Islamic perspectives on death, mourning, qadr, and the afterlife while providing clinical grief support
✓ Mindfulness practices rooted in Islamic contemplative tradition - Dhikr, muraqaba, tafakkur, and other traditional practices integrated with contemporary mindfulness approaches
✓ Premarital counseling with Islamic considerations - Preparing couples for marriage with attention to Islamic values, gender roles, family dynamics, and communication
✓ Support for converts/reverts navigating their spiritual journey - Understanding the unique challenges of entering Islam, managing family relationships, and building Muslim identity
✓ Guidance on religious OCD (scrupulosity) - Specialized support for Muslims struggling with waswas, obsessive doubt, and religious anxiety
✓ Trauma-informed care that honors Islamic identity - Supporting survivors of Islamophobia, discrimination, family conflict, or abuse while centering their Muslim identity
Islamic spiritual care at The Sacred Pause is for:
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Muslims seeking mental health support with Islamic integration - You want evidence-based care for anxiety, depression, or trauma that also honors your faith
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Those experiencing faith struggles or religious doubt - You need a space to question, explore, and wrestle without fear of judgment
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Converts/reverts navigating their journey - You're building your Islamic identity and need culturally informed support
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Muslims facing grief and loss - You want bereavement care that understands Islamic perspectives on death and mourning
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Couples preparing for or navigating Muslim marriage - You want premarital or relationship counseling with Islamic values integration
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Couples or persons struggling with infertility
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Those struggling with religious OCD (scrupulosity) - You're experiencing waswas, obsessive doubt, or anxiety around religious practice
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Survivors of trauma seeking culturally grounded healing - You've experienced Islamophobia, family conflict, or other trauma and want care that centers your Muslim identity
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Anyone seeking spiritual deepening within Islam - You want to grow in your faith, deepen your practice, and explore Islamic spirituality
My Islamic Scholarship & Training
I bring both traditional Islamic education and contemporary academic study:
Academic Credentials:
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Masters of Theology in Islamic Studies-Claremont School of Theology
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Bachelor of Arts in Theology and Islamic Law - California Islamic University
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Diploma in Islamic Foundations and Comparative Social Sciences - Usul Academy
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Graduate Seminary training at Institute of Knowledge, Madina Institute, and other institutions
Areas of Study:
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Islamic Psychology
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Quranic exegesis (Tafsir) and Sciences of the Quran
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Hadith studies and Prophetic biography (Sirah)
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Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh) - Hanafi and Shafi schools
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Islamic theology (Aqidah and Kalam)
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Islamic spirituality (Tasawwuf) and purification of the heart
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Islamic philosophy, ethics, and social thought
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Comparative religion and interfaith studies
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Arabic language (classical and Quranic)
Teaching & Leadership:
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Visiting lecturer at New York University, LALMA, and other institutions
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Resident scholar and community educator in multiple Muslim communities
A Note on Inclusivity
My Islamic spiritual care is welcoming to:
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All schools of thought (Sunni, Shia, and other traditions)
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Progressive, traditional, and questioning Muslims
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LGBTQ+ Muslims seeking affirming care
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Navigating patriarchal interpretations of Islam
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Muslims from all cultural backgrounds (Arab, South Asian, African, Mexican and Latino/a, converts, and others)
You don't have to be "Muslim enough" to receive Islamic spiritual care. Wherever you are in your journey, you're welcome here.
Whether you're seeking support for mental health challenges, navigating grief and loss, exploring questions of faith and identity, or simply needing a space to process life's difficulties with someone who understands both clinical care and Islamic tradition, I'm here to walk alongside you.
