The Integration of Islamic Psychology with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Black and ethnic minority groups (diverse groups) face inequalities when it comes to healthcare in the United Kingdom, including access, stigma, and discrimination. Many of these diverse communities include Muslims. It is also known that barriers for Muslims especially involve accessing mental health services because of fears of stereotyping, stigma, and expected NHS incongruence with religious beliefs. Many Muslims make connections between religious attributions and mental health issues and consider religion a source of support. There have been efforts to construct an Islamic model of the self as a framework for healing in the therapeutic context for Muslim patients. This article develops an initial framework to integrate an Islamic model of the self with acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). We will detail the rationale for this spiritual integration in the development of a potential mental health intervention for Muslim patients. We describe how ACT is useful, given the overlap of ACT's aim to increase psychological flexibility with the therapeutic and spiritual goals of Islamic Psychology. We use a case example to briefly illustrate the points of congruence between ACT and Islamic principles. This approach has the potential to enhance access to healthcare for Muslim patients via the NHS. Further work will be needed to develop a practical tool for therapists who wish to deliver an Islamic based therapy for Muslims using ACT as a framework.