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Shifaa Method

Dar alShifaa
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Program Snapshot

About the Program

The Shifaa Method is a therapeutic modality developed by Dr. Abdallah Rothman building on his published theoretical model (Rothman, 2022). It integrates Islamic spiritual principles with somatic awareness and heart-centered therapeutic techniques, offering a structured framework addressing the unity of body (jism), mind (‘aql), soul (nafs), heart (qalb), and spirit (ruh). Highly experiential, offering tangible skills for immediate professional integration. Founded 2008 in Northern Virginia/DC, now operating internationally.

Quick Facts

  • Location: Dar alShifaa
  • Language: English
  • Format: Hybrid — online instruction with in-person intensives and experiential components. Cohort format across multiple progressive levels. Group supervision continues post-training.

Academic Structure

Primary Focus

Clinical application, experiential practice, and spiritual formation. Goes beyond theory into hands-on therapeutic skill-building with emphasis on somatic awareness, heart-centered techniques, and the practitioner’s own personal development.

Teaching Format

Hybrid — online instruction with in-person intensives and experiential components. Cohort format across multiple progressive levels. Group supervision continues post-training.

Theoretical Foundations

Theoretical model of Islamic psychology and psychotherapy (Rothman, 2022); Islamic spiritual principles of tazkiyyah; somatic awareness integrated with Islamic ontology; five-dimensional model of the human being (jism, ‘aql, nafs, qalb, ruh).

Academic Structure

Prerequisites

Clinical licensing or relevant professional qualification preferred for Level 1 entry, required for Level 2 entry. Graduation from CMC diploma counts as prior learning equivalency for Level 1, allowing direct entry into Level 2.

Assessment & Completion Requirements

Progressive level completion with competency demonstrations. Full certification awarded only after all three levels.

Key Learning Outcomes

  • Apply The Shifaa Method therapeutic arc in clinical or helping professional settings.
  • Integrate somatic awareness techniques with Islamic spiritual principles in therapeutic encounters.
  • Develop heart-centered therapeutic competencies grounded in the Islamic conception of qalb.
  • Demonstrate method-specific skills through structured practice sessions.
  • Progress toward full Shifaa Method Practitioner certification through all three levels.

Faculty & Lead Instructors

Dr. Abdallah Rothman, PhD, LPC, ATR-BC (Founder, Dar al-Shifaa; Head of IP, CMC; President, IAIP) — 20+ years experience. Saman Hussain, MS, ICF PCC (Coach, counselor, mediator — 15+ years; MS Johns Hopkins; 17+ years studying with traditional Islamic teachers).

Scope of Practice Alignment

Supports holistic, Islamically grounded therapeutic care addressing body, mind, soul, heart, and spirit. Best suited for practitioners already in clinical or helping professional roles. Complements existing clinical credentials.

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