Course 2: Cognitive Therapy for Depression (ICT-D): Rekindling Joy and Renewing Purpose Number of Sessions

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 Depression and Its Impact

• Learn how depression affects thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and physical well-being.
• Recognize examples of depression in various contexts:

·       Modern Contexts:

• Workplace Burnout: Feeling overwhelmed by workload, leading to withdrawal from social or family life.
• Social Media Impact: Comparing one’s life to others online, leading to feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness.
• Loneliness: Experiencing isolation due to a lack of meaningful social connections.

·       Muslim Community Contexts:

• Religious Guilt: A Muslim feeling despair due to perceived failure to fulfill acts of worship perfectly.
• Family Struggles: A mother experiencing sadness and exhaustion from balancing family, work, and religious obligations.
• Youth Alienation: A young adult feeling disconnected due to difficulty reconciling faith and modern societal norms.

2.     Identify the Cognitive Cycle of Depression

• Understand how negative thinking patterns reinforce feelings of hopelessness and inactivity.
• Explore how depression can manifest as excessive guilt, lack of motivation, or avoidance of responsibilities, and learn how to break this cycle.

3.     Apply Therapeutic Tools from the Quran and Sunnah

• Explore Islamic teachings on gratitude (shukr), seeking help, and maintaining hope (raja’) to challenge negative thoughts.
• Learn practical ways to draw inspiration from Quranic stories and Prophetic examples of resilience in times of hardship.

4.     Develop Skills to Combat Depression

• Practice cognitive techniques to reframe negative self-beliefs, such as:
• Challenging thoughts like "I am not good enough" or "My efforts don’t matter."
• Using Quranic verses to reinforce positive thinking and self-worth, e.g., "Verily, with hardship comes ease" (Quran 94:6).
• Use behavioural activation strategies to engage in meaningful, value-driven activities, such as:
• Encouraging small, manageable goals like reconnecting with friends or completing acts of worship.

5.     Foster Balance in Roles and Relationships

• Explore the unique challenges faced by men and women in balancing societal, family, and religious expectations.
• Learn strategies to navigate these challenges while maintaining emotional and spiritual well-being.

6.     Support Yourself and Others

• Gain tools to build self-awareness and support loved ones struggling with depression, ensuring a compassionate and faith-aligned approach.

Module Description

This module integrates modern Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) principles with therapeutic tools from the Quran and Sunnah to provide a holistic approach to managing depression. Participants will explore how depression manifests in various life situations, including feelings of inadequacy, burnout, guilt, and isolation.

Using practical examples, the course addresses the unique challenges faced in modern life and within Muslim communities, such as balancing religious and family obligations, cultural expectations, and the pressures of modern society. Participants will learn how Islamic teachings emphasize gratitude, hope, and the importance of action to combat feelings of despair.

The module provides evidence-based tools, such as cognitive restructuring to challenge negative thoughts, and behavioural activation to re-engage in meaningful activities. It also incorporates faith-based strategies, such as using Quranic stories for inspiration and applying prophetic guidance to maintain emotional resilience. This course is accessible to anyone seeking a culturally relevant and spiritually informed approach to managing depression.

Who Is It For?

• Therapists: Learn to integrate Quranic and Sunnah-based therapeutic tools into depression-focused care.
• Caregivers: Gain practical strategies to support loved ones experiencing depression in a compassionate and faith-aligned way.
• Educators: Understand the impact of depression on students and learn supportive strategies for their well-being.
• Community Members: Build self-awareness and explore faith-based tools to manage personal struggles with depression and support others.

This module is suitable for anyone seeking to understand depression through the lens of Islamic teachings and modern therapeutic practices (CBT), regardless of prior experience in therapy.