Despite the amazing progress in understanding and treatment of mental disorders, psychiatry was severely constrained by two self-imposed limitations: (1) it was dominated by intellectuals who considered faith and spirituality to be vestiges of a pre-scientific era, and (2) the Cartesian mind-body split long taken for granted in Western medicine, prevented us from focusing on the mind’s crucial role in pain, anxiety, and depression. But during the past three decades, a growing body of evidence especially Mind/Body Medicine (Benson, 1996; Koenig, 2001; Larson, 2001; Levin, 2001; Bergin, 1997; Dossey, 1984; Newberg, 2001) has suggested that spiritual and religious involvement is positively correlated to physical and mental health, and faith protects people from anxiety and depression, especially when related to tragedy and trauma. This presentation explains the spiritual dimensions of trauma healing and delineates how faith and trust in a Supreme Power provides a steady anchor that can cure a person’s insecurity by quieting distress and generating hope and positive expectancy. At the end there will be a brief discussion to explain whether Islamic perspective is different from the traditional psychotherapy as practiced in the West.
Date: Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Time: 6:00pm Reception; 6:30pm Talk
Where: Conference Hall, Main Bldg, American Islamic College
