Dr Abdallah Rothman

Dr Abdallah Rothman is a psychologist, academic, and author known for his pioneering work in Islamic psychology and psychotherapy. He currently serves as the Principal and Head of Islamic Psychology at Cambridge Muslim College in the United Kingdom and is the founder of Dar al-Shifaa and the International Association of Islamic Psychology (IAIP). Rothman is recognised for advancing an indigenous theoretical orientation of psychology grounded in Islamic tradition and spiritual practice.

Early Life and Education

Abdallah Rothman was born in Los Angeles, California. During his early years, he travelled extensively and explored various spiritual traditions, including time spent with Buddhist monks in Thailand, Rastafarian communities in Jamaica, and Hindu yogis in India. Ultimately, his search for spiritual truth led him to embrace Islam and immerse himself in Islamic spiritual practices.

Rothman holds a Bachelor of Arts in Community Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz, a Master of Arts in Psychology from Antioch University in Seattle (2005), and a PhD in Psychology from Kingston University, London (2019). He is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Board Certified Registered Art Therapist (ATR-BC), licensed in the United States.

Career

Rothman has over two decades of experience as a psychologist, counsellor, and psychotherapist working with individuals, couples, families, and youth across diverse settings in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates. He studied Islamic psychology under the late Professor Malik Badri and with numerous traditional Islamic scholars around the world.

He is the founder and Clinical Director of Dar al-Shifaa, a centre for integrative counselling, and is the co-founder, Executive Director, and current President of the International Association of Islamic Psychology (IAIP), which standardises practices in the emerging discipline of Islamic psychology. Rothman has also held visiting faculty and teaching positions at Zaim University, Istanbul, International Islamic University Islamabad, and Al-Neelain University, Khartoum.

At Cambridge Muslim College, he leads strategic academic, administrative, and research activities, oversees curriculum development, and directs the academic and community engagement focus of the institution. Beyond academia, he has served as a senior advisor to the UAE Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, contributing to national initiatives on social programming, intercultural exchange, and education reform.

Achievements

• Leader in the development of an indigenous Islamic psychology, integrating traditional Islamic teachings with contemporary clinical practice.
• Founding and presiding over the International Association of Islamic Psychology, establishing education, certification, and research standards.
• Head of Islamic Psychology and Principal at Cambridge Muslim College, a centre for higher Islamic education and leadership.
• Frequent keynote speaker and workshop leader at universities, conferences, and institutions worldwide, advancing Islamic counselling and mental health approaches.

Books and Publications

Dr Rothman is a prolific author in the field of Islamic psychology and psychotherapy. His notable books include:

• Developing a Model of Islamic Psychology and Psychotherapy: Islamic Theology and Contemporary Understandings of Psychology (Routledge, 2021).
• Islamic Psychology Around the Globe (Co-editor, IAIP, 2021).
• Psychology of Personality, Islamic Perspectives (with Amber Haque).
• Contributed chapters and articles to other academic works addressing Islamic perspectives in mental health, the role of the therapist, and spiritual development.

He has published numerous peer-reviewed articles, presented at international conferences, and regularly participates in public discourse on Islamic approaches to psychology.

Personal Life

Dr Rothman divides his time between the United Kingdom and the UAE and is married with children. Deeply committed to both personal spiritual development and community service, he maintains active engagement with Islamic scholarship and counselling practice.

Legacy and Impact

Dr Abdallah Rothman is regarded as a foundational figure in the discipline of Islamic psychology. His scholarship, organisational leadership, and clinical innovations have set new standards for the field worldwide, inspiring a generation of practitioners to integrate spiritual and cultural identity into mental health care. His work continues to shape the discourse on indigenous, faith-based approaches to counselling within and beyond Muslim communities.