Question
Reference number: 937029 | Miscellaneous | Oct. 18, 2026
What is the Islamic ruling on women working in psychological counseling?
Answer
Praise be to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, his Companions, and all those who follow him.
To begin with, may Allah reward you for the good work you do and for the benefit you bring to people, particularly those afflicted by these harmful substances (drugs). We ask Allah Almighty to grant them and others like them a speedy recovery and to enable them to return safely to their families and community.
As for conducting therapy sessions with them, you should not be alone with any of them in a secluded setting. First, this is necessary to safeguard your personal safety, as these individuals may be in an abnormal physical and psychological state, and it cannot be ruled out that one of them might engage in behavior that could cause you harm.
Second, from an Islamic legal perspective, it is not permissible to close the door and remain alone with an adult man, regardless of the circumstances. These therapeutic cases require considerable time to listen to the individual, assess and diagnose the condition, and then begin treatment. The sessions are also repeated over time.
Therefore, the general principle is to avoid seclusion (khalwah) and keep the door open, as your personal safety and adherence to Islamic legal guidelines take precedence over privacy.
