Elevate your clinical expertise through intensive training and immersive, hands-on learning. Designed exclusively for experienced practitioners, our Level 2 program prepares you for advanced certification with a research-driven, evidence-based curriculum
In Person Intensive | California
The Shifaa Method is a therapeutic modality that integrates Islamic spiritual principles with somatic awareness and heart-centered therapeutic techniques. Currently in the process of being written as a book, this groundbreaking approach builds upon the theoretical model of Islamic psychology and psychotherapy developed by Dr. Abdallah Rothman (Rothman, 2018). The method offers a structured framework for practice that addresses the unity of body (jism), mind (‘aql), soul (nafs), heart (qalb), and spirit (ruh).
A highly experiential educational journey, offering tangible skills that can be integrated into professional practice immediately. The complete pathway consists of three levels.
Introduces the theoretical and foundational aspects of the Shifaa Method, including specific principles of Islamic psychology based on prior theory development, with the addition of initial somatic awareness and heart‑centred interventions.
Advances practitioners’ skills through detailed instruction on each stage of the method’s therapeutic arc. It includes practice sessions, peer learning pods, structured feedback, case studies, and clinical application.
Focuses on refinement and advanced demonstration of competencies. Practitioners deepen their proficiency of the method through supervised recorded practice, direct feedback, and integration of the method across diverse clinical and coaching contexts.
Level 2 elevates practitioners beyond foundational theory into practical, step-by-step application of The Shifaa Method. Participants will be introduced to The Shifaa Method therapeutic arc, new method-specific competencies, skills and techniques—and will engage in structured practice sessions to strengthen their ability to integrate somatic awareness, heart-centered practices, and spiritually informed interventions.
This in-depth exploration and experiential learning is designed to bridge the gap from theoretical understanding to confident clinical application, while also laying the groundwork for Level 3’s advanced practice and certification requirements.
Registrants must have either completed The Shifaa Method Level 1 or graduated from the Cambridge Muslim College IP program.
Such as in counseling, psychotherapy, coaching, pastoral care, or alternative/lifestyle medicine — enabling them to practice ethically within their field and jurisdiction.
Participants are required to maintain an active client load of at least two ongoing clients throughout the program to support applied learning and integration.
Through this training, you will begin to develop.
an in-depth understanding of the specific features of The Shifaa Method and apply these step by step within a therapeutic encounter.
proficient use of body-based tracking, guided visualization, and heart-centered inquiry and healing.
(muhasabah) and personal practice of self purification (tazkiyat an nafs), crucial for fostering a therapeutic environment characterized by compassion, certainty and Divine connection.
Level 2 is a fully in-person training designed for deeper integration and embodiment of the Shifaa Method. While Level 1 introduced the foundations and framework, this next stage focuses on applied practice—developing an in-depth understanding of the specific features of the Shifaa Method and learning to apply them step by step within a therapeutic encounter.
Through direct engagement, live facilitation, and experiential learning, participants move from conceptual understanding to embodied skill, refining their capacity to bring the method to life in real therapeutic settings.
Participants receive in-depth instruction on each stage of The Shifaa Method process, learning both its theoretical underpinning corresponding competencies and how it unfolds in practice.
A systematic presentation of the method’s core principles that guide the therapeutic process and interventions.
Direct, practical guidance and demonstrations utilizing specific applications and interventions, including how to tailor the method to client-specific needs.
Participants receive in-depth instruction on each stage of The Shifaa Method process, learning both its theoretical underpinning corresponding competencies and how it unfolds in practice.
Ample opportunities to practice with cohort members and in participants’ own professional settings, accompanied by supervised feedback sessions to refine skills and explore different ways of applying the method.
the Shifaa method therapeutic arc to structure full sessions and guide moment-to-moment clinical decisions.
method-specific competencies—attuning to the heart, somatic tracking, guided visualization through khayāl, metaphor meaning-making, remembrance-based shift, and integration within one’s professional scope.
interventions to varied clinical presentations using an Islamic case formulation, while maintaining safeguarding, ethical boundaries, and clear differentiation from religious guidance.
embodied, heart-centered processes through structured practice and supervised feedback.
in ongoing reflective practice (muḥāsabah) and self-purification (tazkiyat an-nafs) to cultivate the therapist’s state, evidenced by self-evaluation and instructor feedback.
Level 2 is a fully in-person, immersive training experience. Before arriving, participants complete Cultivating Presence and a small number of preparatory recorded lessons, ensuring everyone enters the training with a shared foundation and readiness for the work ahead.
Complimentary access to Cultivating Presence, which must be completed before the in-person training, establishing a foundation for the Level 2 experience.
Complementary content exclusively created to support your understanding of core concepts, allowing you to revisit foundational teachings at your own pace.
Guided practices, designed to support deeper self-awareness, embodied learning, and a more personal engagement with the work.
Participants engage in structured practice to develop their ability to apply the method step by step, moving from theoretical understanding to embodied skill.
In-depth teaching and live demonstrations bring the Shifaa Method to life, offering a closer look at its therapeutic arc, core principles, and method-specific competencies.
In-person sessions that are are intentionally designed around suhba, or meaningful companionship, and collective learning.
Completion of the Cultivating Presence self-paced program is required prior to attending Level 2. This prerequisite ensures that all participants arrive with a shared foundation of embodied presence, inner awareness, and heart-centered grounding. Level 2 builds upon this foundation and assumes prior integration of these principles.
Seven days together, in one place, moving through a single arc — from grounding in the intention behind the work, to practising it in your own body, to applying it with the people you serve.
Settle in, meet the cohort, and ground in the intention behind the work. The day opens the container and moves into a first taste of the practice before evening.
The core framework is laid out and then met immediately with guided practice, so the theory is never separated from the experience of it.
Longer, quieter practice sessions. Teaching becomes lighter and the emphasis shifts to sustained personal work with the method.
The most content‑rich day of the week, giving the fullest picture of the framework, its roots, and the reasoning that holds it together.
Practice extends into application, followed by facilitated discussion — where questions from the week are brought into the open and worked through together.
The most applied day. Extended supervised sessions and case discussion, focused on how the method lives inside your own practice and with your own clients.
A final applied session and a closing circle, turning toward what continues after the week ends — and a shared farewell before departure.
The full session‑by‑session schedule is shared with confirmed participants ahead of the training.
This level does not offer certification in the method. Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a: Certificate of Completion (Level 1: Foundations of the Shifaa Method)
Participants are expected to attend live sessions and complete all assignments. There are no recorded client sessions submitted for feedback and supervision or competency assessments at this stage.
This certificate does not authorize you to teach, supervise, or practice the method as a certified Shifaa practitioner. Full certification requires completion of Levels 2 & 3.
7 days in-person training (July 28 – August 3, 2026)
An in-person training experience grounded in immersive practice, direct facilitation, and peer-based learning..
Pescadero, California
Nestled along the stunning coastal hills of Northern California, the 753-acre farm is a testament to regenerative agriculture and environmental stewardship. Trainees will enjoy glamping tent accommodations, thoughtfully designed with comfort and serenity in mind inclusive of farm-to-table meals.
We’ve structured the tuition to reflect the depth of live instruction, practice, and guided learning offered in this first stage of the training.
Options available to bundle multiple training levels for further discount
The Shifaa Method was developed by Dr. Abdallah Rothman as a response to a growing need for a therapeutic approach that honors the full reality of the human being — the heart, soul, intellect, and body. Drawing on Islamic spiritual psychology and years of clinical practice, the method offers a structured yet deeply human way of working with inner healing and transformation.
A seasoned practitioner, coach, and facilitator. Saman brings 15+ years of experience facilitating group process and leading trainings
Dr. Rothman is a PhD psychologist and academic who developed the Shifaa Method over 20 years of practice and research. He bridges classical Islamic psychology with contemporary therapeutic practice
If you don’t find your answer here, we’re happy to talk. Email us at info@dar-al-shifaa.com, and our team will be happy to help.
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© 2026 Dar al-Shifaa, a project of DAR Labs. All rights reserved.
© 2026 Dar al-Shifaa, a project of DAR Labs. All rights reserved.
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Start when you're ready, progress at your pace. Perfect if you need flexibility while still wanting depth and structure.
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Join a cohort for weekly live sessions. Ideal if you thrive with accountability, community, and direct access to teachers.
Join a cohort for weekly live sessions. Ideal if you thrive with accountability, community, and direct access to teachers.
