As an intercultural therapist, my daily work involves sitting with people who feel completely overwhelmed by the "waves" of life. In my counselling spaces at Qissati Counselling and Nafsiyat Intercultural therapy , I frequently witness a specific type of emotional exhaustion among Muslim women. It is the heavy, draining weight of navigating systemic pressures, enduring public suspicion , and carrying a deep, quiet sense of spiritual and cultural isolation.

If you are a British Muslim navigating public spaces today, you might feel like you are carrying a heavy, exhausting backpack that others simply cannot see.

There is a question that haunts many therapy rooms, dinner tables, and quiet moments of reflection: “Why do I feel this way when nothing in my own life explains it?”

When we come to therapy, we bring every part of who we are—our histories, our hopes, and the beliefs that help us make sense of the world. Religion and spirituality, for many, form the heart of this inner landscape. Yet too often, these deeply personal dimensions remain unspoken in the therapy room. In intercultural therapy, acknowledging and respecting religious beliefs is not just an added layer of care; it’s central to understanding and supporting each individual in a meaningful way.