Nafs and Therapy

Noura Amkieh
  • 5.0 (1)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

This podcast is where therapy meets faith and tradition. Too often, we search for therapists who share our beliefs, hoping for a space that truly understands us. As a Muslim and practicing therapist, I felt the need to explore this intersection—to have real conversations about where faith and psychology align, how we can grow, and how healing can be both spiritual and psychological. Most importantly, mental health doesn’t discriminate—believer or not, we all face struggles. Join me in reflecting, questioning, and making space for a something that is dear to our heart, mind, and soul.

  1. S3 E1: Beyond the Checklist: Islamic Law, Moral Responsibility, and Mental Wellbeing.

    2D AGO

    S3 E1: Beyond the Checklist: Islamic Law, Moral Responsibility, and Mental Wellbeing.

    What happens when “doing religion right” starts to feel like anxiety, guilt, or a constant inner audit? In this conversation, Dr. Adnan A. Zulfiqar explores the meeting point between Islamic law, ethics, and mental health—and offers a more grounded, spacious way to think about moral responsibility, shame, and returning to faith. Dr. Zulfiqar shares his personal path into Islamic studies, and why Islamic tradition can’t be reduced to a rigid checklist. We talk about how guilt and shame shape the inner life, how people get distanced from Allah through fear-based religious experiences, and what it means to create compassionate “pathways back” for those who feel overwhelmed. Throughout, he invites listeners to approach sacred knowledge with humility, nuance, and the willingness to learn from diverse teachers and perspectives. In this episode, we explore: Why Islamic tradition is deeper than rules—and how ethics sits at its heart Moral responsibility, uncertainty, and what we do with our imperfections The psychological weight of guilt and shame—and how it can distort faith How people become spiritually distant (and what helps them return) What a flexible, honest relationship with Islamic law can look like The value of seeking teachers who widen the heart, not tighten it If this episode resonatedShare it with someone who feels exhausted by “religion as pressure,” and take one gentle step: seek a teacher, a community, or a reading that brings you back to mercy. You can find Dr Adnan on: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/law/academics-faculty/faculty-directory/adnan-zulfiqar.html You can find me on: Website: https://nouraamkieh.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nafsandtherapy

    1h 4m
  2. S2 E7: Returning to the Basics: When Living Islam Becomes the Ground of Healing

    11/24/2025

    S2 E7: Returning to the Basics: When Living Islam Becomes the Ground of Healing

    In this conversation, Dr. Abdallah Rothman shares his journey into Islamic psychology, emphasizing the integration of spirituality and mental health. He discusses the importance of understanding the soul, the impact of traditional practices on mental well-being, and introduces the Shifa method, which focuses on heart-centered healing. The conversation also explores themes of trust in Allah, the significance of experiential knowledge, and the need to revive Islamic psychology in the modern world, concluding with the reminder that true healing comes from Allah. You can find Dr Abdallah on: Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/daralshifaa_wellbeing/ Website: https://dar-al-shifaa.com/ You can find me on: Website: https://nouraamkieh.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nafsandtherapy

    49 min
  3. S2 E6: Finding God and your people, with Mohammed Isaaq

    11/17/2025

    S2 E6: Finding God and your people, with Mohammed Isaaq

    In this conversation with Mohammed Isaaq, we explore the threads that tie together spirituality, self-knowledge, love, and the realities of modern relationships. We sit with the question of what it truly means to stay connected—to God, to others, and to ourselves—and how easily we get caught in the illusion of success while neglecting the inner work. Together, we reflect on the complexities of love today: how understanding our own hearts, our patterns, and our relationship with the Divine can reshape the way we show up with others. We touch on attachment, healing, and the quiet work of remembering our worth—not through people’s eyes, but through the gaze of God. You can find Mohammed Isaaq on: Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/isaaq.mohammed/?hl=en Website: https://www.mohammedisaaq.com/ You can find me on: Website: https://nouraamkieh.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nafsandtherapy

    52 min
  4. S2 E5: Wounds and Worship - Reflections of a Faithful Neuroscientist

    11/10/2025

    S2 E5: Wounds and Worship - Reflections of a Faithful Neuroscientist

    In this deeply intimate conversation with Michael, we explore how trauma, faith, and personal growth weave through each of our lives and shape who we are today. We reflect on the paths that brought us to this work — from personal experiences to trauma recovery in conflict zones — and how faith carries its own weight and wisdom in moments of hardship. Together, we look at the role of community, the dance between certainty and doubt, and the humility needed to move through different faith environments with care. We also speak about the healing power of collective rituals and what it means to find steadiness in a world that often feels unsteady. You can find me on: Website: https://nouraamkieh.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nafsandtherapy

    54 min
  5. S2 E4: Beyond the Self - Healing through Faith and Connection, with Salma and Mehboob

    11/01/2025

    S2 E4: Beyond the Self - Healing through Faith and Connection, with Salma and Mehboob

    In this conversation with Salma and Mehboob, we explore how mental health and Islamic psychology intertwine, reflecting on how we can care for our hearts and minds with purpose and faith. Together, we discuss the value of proactive mental wellness, the power of collaboration between therapists and spiritual leaders, and the ways grief and love shape our human experience. We also look at the importance of cultural sensitivity in therapy and what we’ve learned from common patterns in couples work. At the heart of it all, we emphasize the strength we find in community, and the deep commitment required to nurture both healing and relationships. You can find Salama and Mehboob on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rahmainstitute/ Website: https://rahmainstitute.org/team You can find me on: Website: https://nouraamkieh.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nafsandtherapy

    56 min
  6. S2 E3: When the Mind Wanders: ADHD and the Heart of Prayer

    10/11/2025

    S2 E3: When the Mind Wanders: ADHD and the Heart of Prayer

    In this conversation, we explore the tender and often challenging relationship between Salah (prayer) and ADHD. We talk about what it feels like to struggle with focus, guilt, or distraction in prayer, and how our emotional and relational worlds shape the way we connect with Allah. Together, we reflect on the true purpose of Salah as a moment of presence and belonging, and how acceptance, compassion, and small acts of consistency can help us nurture a lifelong relationship with prayer. We also share practical ways to make Salah more mindful and adaptable for those living with ADHD. You can find Halah Zumrawi on: Instagram: @salahandadhd www.salahandadhd.com salahandadhd@gmail.com You can find me on: Website: https://nouraamkieh.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nafsandtherapy

    38 min
  7. S2 EP2: When the Mind Breaks Open Psychosis, Faith, and Belonging with Imtithal Mohammed

    10/02/2025

    S2 EP2: When the Mind Breaks Open Psychosis, Faith, and Belonging with Imtithal Mohammed

    *Disclaimer* this episode talks about psychosis, if this is a triggering topic, please skip. In this deep and meaningful conversation, we open up about the tender and complex relationship between psychosis, mental health, and spirituality. Together, we reflect on lived experiences with psychosis, the role of community support, and how moments of deep struggle can sometimes hold the seeds of spiritual awakening. Our dialogue is rooted in compassion and understanding, as we explore how to gently integrate these experiences into daily life while confronting the stigma that so often surrounds mental health. You can find Imtithal Mohammed on: Instagram: @salikah.alchemist @transpersonal.counsellor Interview: https://youtu.be/UKdrJduigLw?si=wI5-xk7HWYRABTU2 Article: https://thesalikahalchemist.substack.com/p/the-nature-of-madness-pyshosis-or-spiritual-awakening You can find me on: Website: https://nouraamkieh.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nafsandtherapy

    29 min
  8. S2 EP 1 : The Art of Presence - Psychiatry and Islamic Psychology in Practice with Armaan Rowther

    09/22/2025

    S2 EP 1 : The Art of Presence - Psychiatry and Islamic Psychology in Practice with Armaan Rowther

    In this episode, Armaan, a psychiatry resident, opens up about his journey through medical training and how he’s weaving Islamic psychology into the fabric of modern psychiatry. He reflects on what it means to care for both the mind and the soul, reminding us that true healing goes beyond prescriptions and diagnoses. Together, we explore the challenges of being a healthcare professional, the quiet power of faith in recovery, and the profound act of simply witnessing a patient’s suffering without rushing to “fix” it. Armaan also shares his thoughts on moral injury in medicine and the hopeful, transformative role Islamic psychology can play in reimagining clinical care. You can find Dr. Armaan Rowther on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/armaan-rowther-4341a936/ arowther@dhs.lacounty.gov His publications: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=syEpacQAAAAJ&hl=en You can find me on: Website: https://nouraamkieh.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nafsandtherapy

    51 min
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About

This podcast is where therapy meets faith and tradition. Too often, we search for therapists who share our beliefs, hoping for a space that truly understands us. As a Muslim and practicing therapist, I felt the need to explore this intersection—to have real conversations about where faith and psychology align, how we can grow, and how healing can be both spiritual and psychological. Most importantly, mental health doesn’t discriminate—believer or not, we all face struggles. Join me in reflecting, questioning, and making space for a something that is dear to our heart, mind, and soul.

Information

  • Creator
    Noura Amkieh
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Noura Amkieh
  • Show Website
    Nafs and Therapy