Rethinking Modern Psychology with Dr. Rania Awaad: “Does Modern Psychology Fulfill Our Spiritual Needs?”

As part of its Global Reflections series, Institute Social recently hosted Dr. Rania Awaad, a psychiatrist from Stanford University and a leading figure in Islamic psychology, on October 17. In her talk, titled “Does Modern Psychology Fulfill Our Spiritual Needs?”, Dr. Awaad examined the limits of modern psychology through an Islamic lens, highlighting that religious, spiritual, and cultural sensitivities cannot be overlooked in mental health.

During the session, Dr. Awaad introduced the concept of Islamic Integrated Psychotherapy, a model that incorporates Islamic values and principles into the psychotherapy process. She noted, “We are still in the early stages of data collection and analysis in this field. Our current goal is to see whether this approach meets the same standards as established models like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).” According to Dr. Awaad, the development of clinically applicable new models presents a significant opportunity for advancing mental health care.

Dr. Awaad also discussed the impact of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) on mental well-being: “While AI can bring many conveniences, excessive exposure may distort an individual’s perception of reality. This disconnection can lead to loneliness, anxiety, and depression.” Considering the growing influence of digital platforms, her lab at Stanford is specifically studying how AI and mobile applications affect depression and isolation in Muslim communities.

She further emphasized the broad influence of psychology across media and education: “How a story is told, how a curriculum is structured, even how evolution is presented; these are all perception processes that shape human psychology.” Therefore, Dr. Awaad argued, educational programs should be designed not only to convey knowledge but also to support the psychological resilience of learners.

Closing the session, Dr. Awaad highlighted a dimension often neglected by modern psychology, the spiritual aspect: “Modern psychology has forgotten the soul. Yet it is one of the strongest components of the human psyche. As Imam Ghazali taught, the human psyche consists of four parts: the heart, the soul, the self, and the intellect. True healing is possible only when these parts are integrated.”

The webinar concluded with a Q&A segment where Dr. Awaad responded to participants’ questions and offered practical recommendations.