Programme Overview

The Islamic Trauma-Informed Coaching Certification is a six-week professional training programme designed for coaches, educators, mentors, chaplains, community leaders and helping professionals who wish to support individuals experiencing emotional distress through a safe, ethical and faith-centred approach.

Combining contemporary trauma-informed practice with Islamic psychology, this programme explores how trauma affects the mind, body, emotions and spiritual wellbeing while equipping participants with practical coaching skills that promote safety, trust and resilience.

Throughout the programme, participants will learn how to recognise trauma responses, establish healthy professional boundaries, integrate Islamic principles appropriately, and know when specialist referral is required. The course emphasises compassionate coaching that honours both psychological understanding and Islamic teachings without replacing professional mental health treatment.

Course Structure

Module 1

Understanding Trauma Through Psychology and Islam

Explore the foundations of trauma-informed practice through both contemporary psychology and the Islamic understanding of the human being. This module introduces the nature of trauma, different forms of adversity, professional boundaries, and the integration of the body, mind, qalb, rūḥ and nafs within Islamic psychology.

Topics Covered

• Understanding trauma and adversity
• Types of trauma and their impact
• Trauma-informed coaching principles
• Islamic psychology and holistic wellbeing
• Coaching vs counselling vs psychotherapy
• Scope of professional practice

Module 2

The Traumatised Brain, Body and Nervous System

Understand how trauma affects the nervous system, emotions, memory and behaviour. Participants will learn to recognise common trauma responses and apply simple grounding strategies while maintaining appropriate coaching boundaries.

Topics Covered

• The stress response and nervous system
• Fight, flight, freeze, fawn and shutdown
• Hyperarousal and hypoarousal
• Emotional triggers and memory
• Window of tolerance
• Safe grounding techniques
• Recognising when referral is needed

Module 3

Safety, Ethics, Safeguarding and Professional Boundaries

Develop the ethical foundations required to create emotionally safe coaching environments. This module focuses on informed consent, confidentiality, safeguarding, referral pathways and the responsible integration of Islamic guidance.

Topics Covered

• Creating emotional and psychological safety
• Coaching agreements and informed consent
• Confidentiality and record keeping
• Safeguarding responsibilities
• Risk assessment and referral
• Professional boundaries
• Ethical use of Qur’an, duʿā’ and Islamic guidance

Module 4

Trauma-Informed Coaching Skills

Build practical coaching skills that help clients feel safe, heard and empowered without retraumatisation. Participants will practise structuring coaching sessions, active listening and strengths-based coaching techniques.

Topics Covered

• Structuring a trauma-informed coaching session
• Active listening and validation
• Stabilising conversations
• Client autonomy and choice
• Goal setting and strengths-based coaching
• Safe questioning techniques
• Closing sessions effectively

Module 5

Shame, Attachment, Grief and Spiritual Struggle

Explore how trauma influences relationships, identity, grief and spiritual wellbeing. Learn to support clients with compassion while integrating Islamic principles in a sensitive and appropriate manner.

Topics Covered

• Attachment and relational trauma
• Shame and self-worth
• Grief and loss
• Spiritual struggles after trauma
• Faith-sensitive coaching conversations
• Supporting reconnection with worship
• Maintaining client agency

Module 6

Integration, Professional Practice and Coach Sustainability

Bring together everything learned throughout the programme while developing sustainable coaching practices. Participants will complete an integrated coaching simulation and create a professional development plan for continued growth.

Topics Covered

• Integrating trauma-informed coaching skills
• Session planning and case management
• Professional supervision
• Preventing compassion fatigue and burnout
• Self-awareness and reflective practice
• Ethical marketing and professional growth
• Final coaching integration

Assignments & Assessment

Assessment is designed to reinforce both theoretical knowledge and practical coaching competence throughout the programme.

Participants will complete:

• Session knowledge quizzes
• Reflective learning journal
• Safeguarding and referral case study
• Trauma-informed coaching plan
• Observed coaching skills assessment
• Final reflective professional development assignment

Successful completion of all assessments, active participation in the live sessions, and demonstration of safe coaching practice are required to complete the programme.

Certification

Participants who successfully complete the programme and all required assessments will be awarded the Certificate in Islamic Trauma-Informed Coaching from Sakeena Institute.

The certificate recognises successful completion of 18 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) learning hours, including live instruction, independent study and practical assessment.