Islam, Sufism & Psychotherapy: In Search of Unifying Values and Epistemologies Ghena A. Ismail A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty of JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Doctor of Psychology Department of Psychobgy August 2008UMI Number: 3323376 INFORMATION TO USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleed-through, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion ® UMI UMI Microform 3323376 Copyright 2008 by ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest LLC 789 E. Eisenhower Parkway PO Box 1346 Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1345Table of Contents Dedication Page .. Acknowledgments List of Figures. vii ADStTaCt scones introductior Literature Review .. Origin of the Human 218 A Spiritual Faculty Epistemological Principlets) it i sas 22 A Dialectical Unity Developmental Stages of the Self 226 Freedom from the Ego.... 28 Consciousness... 3 Conclusion .. 32 Purpose and Method of Study... se 38 Pilot Interview 3s Participants. . : . 39 Interviewing... 39 Analysis 39 Credibility 42 ESTES) nv araseseneaensetnavenice Meditation... Prayers. Moral Healing. Drawing upon the Qur'an The Role of Talk Therapy. Conclusion: Interventions in the Context of an Islamic Worldview.