Course 5 (ICT-GAD) Cognitive Therapy for General Anxiety : Transforming Worry into Peace

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 Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Its Impact

• Define GAD as excessive, persistent worry about everyday matters that feels uncontrollable.
• Recognize examples of GAD in various contexts:
  • Overthinking daily tasks, such as forgetting a work deadline or making mistakes during work.
  • Anxiety over potential health problems despite reassurance from doctors.
  • Financial worries, such as imagining worst-case scenarios despite financial stability.
  • Overwhelming anxiety about the possibility of losing loved ones, even without immediate reason for concern.
  • Persistent worry about having accidents while commuting, even in safe conditions.
  • Fear of missing trains, buses, or important appointments despite thorough preparation.
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  • Worrying excessively about whether family members are fulfilling their religious obligations properly.
  • Anxiety about balancing worldly responsibilities (dunya) and spiritual goals (akhira).
  • Fearing that one’s prayers, fasting, or other acts of worship are not accepted by Allah.
  • Overwhelming concern for loved ones’ safety while traveling or during difficult situations.
• Modern Contexts:
• Muslim Contexts:

2.     Identify the Cognitive and Behavioural Patterns of GAD

• Understand how excessive worry leads to physical symptoms (e.g., restlessness, muscle tension) and impacts daily functioning.
• Recognize how avoidance of situations perceived as risky reinforces anxiety.

3.     Apply Therapeutic Tools from the Quran and Sunnah

• Use Quranic principles of reliance on Allah (tawakkul), contentment (ridha), and trust in divine decree (qadr) to challenge anxiety-provoking thoughts.
• Explore Prophetic examples of managing uncertainty and maintaining hope, such as the story of Prophet Musa’s (peace be upon him) reliance on Allah when leading his people through difficulty (Quran 26:62).

4.     Develop CBT-Based Techniques to Manage Anxiety

• Cognitive Restructuring: Identify and challenge unhelpful beliefs, such as:
• Replacing “If I don’t plan for every possible outcome, things will go wrong” with “I can prepare reasonably and trust Allah with the results.”
• Worry Time Practice: Allocate specific times to address worries, freeing up the rest of the day for productive and meaningful actions.
• Relaxation Strategies: Practice breathing techniques and mindfulness paired with Quranic reflection to reduce physical tension and mental restlessness.

5.     Reconnect with Purpose and Balance

• Explore how Islamic teachings encourage moderation (wasatiyyah), prioritizing productive action over excessive worry.
• Differentiate between helpful planning and unproductive overthinking that hinders progress in life and faith.

6.     Support Yourself and Others

• Gain tools to recognize and address anxiety in loved ones, offering compassionate and culturally sensitive support.
• Understand the value of community (ummah) and mutual assistance in reducing feelings of isolation and worry.

Module Description

This module explores the impact of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) on daily life and integrates evidence-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques with therapeutic tools from the Quran and Sunnah to help manage it. Participants will learn how persistent worry about everyday issues—such as commuting, finances, health, or family—can disrupt personal, professional, and spiritual well-being.

The course provides practical examples from modern and Islamic contexts, such as fearing accidents, missing important deadlines, or balancing family and religious obligations. Participants will explore Quranic principles and Prophetic guidance to challenge unhelpful thoughts, reduce worry, and build resilience.

Using CBT-based tools, such as cognitive restructuring, relaxation techniques, and worry management practices, attendees will develop actionable strategies to manage their anxiety and find peace in both their worldly and spiritual lives.

Who Is It For?

• Therapists: Learn to integrate Islamic principles with CBT techniques to help clients manage generalized anxiety.
• Caregivers: Gain strategies to support loved ones experiencing persistent worry and its emotional and physical effects.
• Educators: Understand how GAD affects students and develop approaches to create a supportive learning environment.
• Community Members: Build self-awareness and explore practical, faith-aligned tools to manage personal anxiety and support others in finding balance.

This module is suitable for anyone seeking a culturally relevant and spiritually grounded approach to understanding and managing GAD using modern CBT approach.