The Digital Age of Spiritual Support: Why I Use Online Resources in Therapy
Bibliotherapy is the use of books and reading materials for healing. its a staple in my practice. But in the digital age, we have access to something even better: interactive, culturally specific online resources.
I recently explored two websites that have changed the way I think about supporting clients from Islamic and Buddhist backgrounds.
For Islamic Clients: Al-Islam.org
The Ahlul Bayt Digital Islamic Project is a treasure trove of resources. I was particularly impressed by their PDF books for children and youth. They cover topics like social skills and character building, some grounded in scripture, others more general.
Referring an Islamic client to a site like this does two things:
It provides practical help.
It signals to the client that I value and appreciate their faith. It builds rapport by showing I am willing to meet them where they are.
For Buddhist Clients: DharmaNet.org
Similarly, DharmaNet offers interactive courses on Buddhism. For a client experiencing a "Spiritual Emergency", confusion or distress related to their practice, these interactive guides can be grounding. They help explain complex topics in a way that is easy to digest.
Why This Matters
Therapy shouldn't just happen in the hour we are together. By providing these culturally relevant digital resources, we give clients tools they can use at home, reinforced by the values they hold dear.
