About Nadine El-Kabbout

Female Muslim Counsellor and psychotherapist in Sydney and online

Salaams! I’m Nadine El-Kabbout.

I’m passionate about empowering Muslim minds and hearts.

How my passion developed

In 2013, after being diagnosed with cancer, I sought psychotherapy to process this trial. However, I struggled to find professionals who truly understood me – my identity as a Muslim, my culture, and my faith.

Only the parts of me that they could understand were seen and acceptable, the other parts were NOT discussed further because they were alien.

As a result, I felt distressed because my strength, spiritual wellness, and healing came from my Islamic faith

And this is the case for many Muslims seeking assistance, therapy becomes yet another trauma to live through rather than the safe haven it is promised to be.

Further, as a Muslim in the West, I didn’t know how to make sense of divorcing and compartmentalising my Islamic faith, especially since it is an integral part of my identity. To ignore and silence religiosity and spirituality can have potentially damaging effects on us as Muslims, making it a source of shame and stigma.

More importantly, there is this erroneous conclusion that the secular world provides the best and only solutions for thriving and healing. This is NOT true. Islam is a complete way of life that provides us with a source of purpose, meaning, and guidance to living a productive life characterised by meaningful contributions to society.

How I live out my passion as a Muslim counsellor

I find a sense of fulfilment in walking alongside your journey. I don’t expect that any of our journeys will look the same, but I deeply value the importance of having to journey alongside you – wherever the road may lead.

I want Muslims to know that there is no shame in wanting to use religious concepts in your mental health conversations as it is your spiritual lifeline, that centres Allah SWT as your source of comfort to turn to, rely upon, and confide in.

Faith-based counselling that takes a spiritual and holistic approach is beneficial for Muslims, and that’s what I deliver to you.

How I help others

As an Islamic counsellor who is of the same religion as you, we can use faith as an anchor. I provide a level of understanding, compassion and frame of reference enabling you to be fully seen and heard.

I provide a safe, confidential, and structured space to help and offer you the chance to be vulnerable without stigma and without dehumanising your experiences, to talk through and identify issues you may be experiencing.

You do not have to be considered “sick” to come to Nafs Counselling. Therapy can become a regular part of your self-care, or a beneficial opportunity for learning, self-discovery, building insight, and more.

I utilise Islamic-guided and aligned Western therapy interventions such as:

reframing challenges as opportunities for growth and forgiveness (Dua) from Allah SWT,
learning to trust (tawakkul) in Allah SWT,
recognising there is a purpose behind one’s situations and events (trials and tribulations),
thinking positively (husn al-zann) of Allah SWT as benevolent and wise in His decree.
I believe the stories of the Prophets (peace be upon them) yield active and accommodative coping strategies that can be made into Islamic-guided interventions for you.

Ready to start your healing journey?

Contact me today for a confidential consultation and explore how faith-based counselling can help you.