Course 4 (ICT-OCD) Taming the Storm: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for OCD

Number of Sessions

12 sessions

Duration

12 weeks (1 session per week, 1 hour per session)

Module Objectives

By the end of this module, participants will:

1.     Understand the Nature of OCD

• Learn how OCD manifests as a cycle of intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive actions (compulsions).
• Recognize examples of OCD in both Islamic and modern contexts, such as:
  • Excessive fear of ritual impurity (waswasah) leading to prolonged or repeated wudu (ablution).
  • Persistent doubts in salah (prayer) regarding intentions or correctness of recitation.
  • Over-scrupulosity, such as unnecessary repetition of religious acts out of fear of sin.
  • Repeated handwashing or cleaning due to contamination fears.
  • Constant checking of locks, appliances, or work tasks to prevent imagined harm.
  • Difficulty discarding items due to fear of future need (hoarding).
• Islamic Contexts:
• Modern Contexts:

2.     Identify and Break the OCD Cycle

• Understand how compulsive behaviours temporarily reduce anxiety but reinforce the obsessive cycle.
• Explore tools to disrupt this cycle using techniques grounded in the Quran and Sunnah, such as promoting balance (wasatiyyah) and certainty (yaqeen).

3.     Apply Therapeutic Tools from the Quran and Sunnah

• Explore how Islamic teachings address obsessive thoughts by encouraging moderation, intentionality, and self-discipline.
• Learn practical ways to use Quranic reflections, stories of Prophets, and the principles of gratitude and balance to manage obsessive tendencies.

4.     Develop Practical Skills for Managing OCD

• Practice cognitive techniques to reframe intrusive thoughts, such as:
• Challenging beliefs about the need for perfection in religious or daily tasks.
• Recognizing that intrusive thoughts do not define faith or morality.
• Use gradual exposure and response prevention to reduce compulsive behaviors and build tolerance for uncertainty.

5.     Support Yourself and Others

• Understand the spiritual and emotional impact of OCD on individuals and their relationships.
• Learn to offer compassionate, faith-aligned support to loved ones while encouraging healthy habits.

Module Description

This module integrates modern Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) principles with therapeutic tools found in the Quran and Sunnah to provide a faith-based approach to managing Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Participants will explore how OCD presents in different contexts, including persistent doubts about religious rituals, cleanliness, safety, or responsibility, and how to address these challenges with practical, actionable tools.

The course emphasizes breaking the OCD cycle by reframing intrusive thoughts, reducing compulsive behaviours, and reconnecting with faith-based principles such as balance (wasatiyyah), certainty (yaqeen), and mindfulness (muraqabah). Examples such as repeated wudu, doubts in salah, compulsive handwashing, and excessive checking will be used to illustrate strategies for recovery.

Participants will learn how Quranic teachings and prophetic guidance offer therapeutic insights to navigate these struggles. Through engaging activities and practical exercises, attendees will gain the confidence to apply these tools in their personal lives or when supporting others.

Who Is It For?

• Therapists: Develop culturally sensitive approaches to treating OCD in Muslim clients by integrating Islamic teachings with CBT.
• Caregivers: Gain practical strategies to support loved ones managing OCD in a compassionate and faith-aligned way.
• Educators: Understand OCD’s impact on individuals and learn methods to foster balance and resilience in students.
• Community Members: Build self-awareness and explore faith-based tools to address personal struggles with intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviours.

This module is designed for anyone interested in managing OCD or helping others do so, using an integrated approach rooted in Islamic principles and modern Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy.