A Counsellor’s Guide to Ramadan
My favourite time of the year is fast approaching, Oh Ramadan, but it wasn’t always, for a long time, I associated Ramadan to food, hunger, cooking, hosting and dreading a whole lotta dishes to clean.. everyday, for thirty days!
And whilst the above is true for many, (and for me too) Ramadan holds spiritual significance for those observing. It is an opportunity for grounding, to grow closer in faith, to God, in simple terms its a month of personal and spiritual development.
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is about softening the hearts and soul, through discipline, fasting from sun up to sunset, no food or drink, and yes no water too. For many Ramadan is about gaining God Consciousness (Taqwa)
Ramadan brings new routine, the evenings from sun down are usually filled with eating, prayers, and worship, many mosques are the busiest during the Ramadan, accommodating night prayers from sunset to sunrise, with some choosing to reside and live at the mosques in seclusion,(Iʿtikāf) to focus entirely on prayer, worship, and reflection particularly during the last 10 nights of Ramadan.
What is the significance of Ramadan?
Fasting Ramadan, makes up one of five of the five pillars of Islam.
The Qur’an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad during this month (Qu’ran 2:185)
It is a month of Blessings, Mercy and Forgiveness
The doors of heaven are opened, and the doors of hell are closed
The Shaytaan (the rebellious Shaytans) are locked up during this month.
There is a night within the last 10 nights called the "Night of Decree" or the “Night of Power”(Laylatul Qadr), which is better than 1000 months,(Qur’an 97:3) All worship on this night is highly rewarded.
Laylatul-Qadr is where ones decree is finalized for the year ahead, for many this signals a final opportunity to change one's fate (taqdeer) through prayer.
Supporting Clients During Ramadan
Providing religiously sensitive care, is all about awareness, and the opportunity to stay curious and learn, whatever your background is, and most importantly step into the world of your client.
Culture, ethnicity, level of religiosity, gender roles, family expectations, and personal history all shape how Ramadan is experienced. Avoid assuming shared meaning, even if you are Muslim yourself.
As with any topic that comes to therapy, let the client lead their experience. Respectful curiosity will always go further than perfect religious knowledge.
1. Flexible Scheduling
Where possible, offer morning or evening sessions. Ask whether remote sessions may feel more supportive. For many clients, Ramadan is a period of altered routines, increased reflection and spiritual focus. Your client may not want to work flexibly but being open to offer shows awareness.
2. Emotional and Psychological Challenges.
Avoid assuming Ramadan is either “peaceful” or “stressful.” Ramadan, can bring up a lot of different emotions depending on the individual.
stay curious instead..
What does Ramadan mean for you?
How does it feel compared to previous years?
What would you like it to look like instead?
How does observing Ramadan usually affect your routine, mood, or energy?”
For some, Ramadan may be spent alone. For others, it may bring grief — especially for those who have lost loved ones since the previous Ramadan. For some it may trigger health concerns, guilt, or shame… for others it may be filled with community, family, spiritual highs and closeness to the divine.
From personal experience, I’ve had Ramadan’s where I felt unable to pray or connect to God and others where I felt closer than ever. Both experiences are valid.
3. Goal Setting & Meaning-Making
Because Laylatul Qadr falls within Ramadan, many Muslims use this time to pray for their future, their goals, and their deepest desires. This can be a powerful opportunity for reflection in therapy too, consider touching on the areas below:
Personal or future goals
Values / faith based living
Ramadan intentions
If clients don’t feel comfortable sharing spiritual intentions, that’s okay. A gentle reminder that “it’s between you and Allah” can feel containing and respectful.
4. Reflect Reflect Reflect. Spiritual Guilt and Perfectionism
Ramadan invites reflection, so encourage reflection outside of sessions too
What brings you joy?
What feels nourishing — spiritually, emotionally, relationally?
Whilst Ramadan brings routine, discipline and worship, some clients may feel spiritual guilt, thoughts like:
“I’m wasting Ramadan.”
“Everyone else is doing more.”
“My worship isn’t good enough.”
“I’ve ruined it already.
This can mirror perfectionism patterns seen elsewhere in their life. Explore:
Where does the pressure come from?
What would “enough” look like?
Who defines that?
5. Eating disorders, self image and triggers.
If your client has a difficult relationship with their body, self image and eating habits, Ramadan may trigger some of these. Changes in eating patterns can be particularly activating for some clients, and awareness here is key. Be mindful of:
Weight loss or weight gain
Binge eating
Sluggishness or low energy
Eating disorders and body dysmorphia
6. Sleep and Cognitive Function :
Late-night prayers (such as Tarāwīḥ), early suḥūr meals, and altered routines can affect:
Sleep quality
Concentration
Irritability
Emotional regulation
Normalising fatigue without pathologizing is always helpful.
7. Illness, Exemptions & Meaning
Although fasting is a core part of Ramadan, Islam prioritises health and wellbeing. Those who are ill, menstruating, pregnant, breastfeeding, or travelling are advised not to fast if it may cause harm.
Some clients may struggle emotionally with being unable to fast, particularly if they are newly diagnosed with an illness. They may attach meaning to their condition or perceive it as a personal or spiritual failure.
It can be helpful to gently remind them that there are many ways to show gratitude and devotion during Ramadan, including:
Charity
Community work
Caring for family
Intentional acts of worship
Self-care (prioritising health is an act of worship too)
Finding purpose in their day-to-day roles — whether as a nurse, teacher, carer, or parent can help reframe their experience. Intentions matter, and acts of kindness are deeply valued, and most importantly God wants ease for them.
8. Planning for Eid & Post-Ramadan Transitions
After a month of fasting and spiritual intensity, Eid brings joy and celebration — but some may experience a mood dip once Ramadan ends. This can be due to the loss of structure, routine, and spiritual connection, or perhaps a sense of regret / guilt for not making the most of it.
Ultimately, Ramadan is not something to be “managed” in therapy, but understood. When therapists create space for faith, doubt, struggle, and joy to coexist, clients feel seen in their entirety not compartmentalised.
