Professor Dr. G. Hussein Rassool

Dr. G. H. Rassool is a renowned scholar and practitioner with over four decades of experience in the fields of psychology, mental health, and Islamic counselling. He holds a PhD in Psychology and Education from the University of London, an MSc in Health Education, and a BA in Psychology. His career spans multiple countries and sectors, positioning him as a leader in Islamic psychology, mental health, addiction treatment, and counselling. He currently serves as the Clinical Consultant and Executive Director of Sakina Counselling Institute & Research, an academic advisor, and a lecturer in psychology, while also maintaining a part-time practice as an Islamic psychotherapist.

Throughout his career, Dr. Rassool has been actively involved in both academia and clinical practice. He has worked as a visiting professor at the University of São Paulo in Brazil, where he taught courses on the psychology of addiction and mental health. His previous roles also include Senior Lecturer at the Department of Addictive Behaviour & Psychological Medicine at St. George’s Hospital Medical School (University of London), where he played a pivotal role in developing groundbreaking academic programs in mental health and addiction studies. Dr. Rassool is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Public Health, and he has served as News Editor and Editorial Board Member for prestigious international journals in the UK, USA, and Brazil.

A prolific author and academic, Dr. Rassool has published over 100 research papers, reviews, and editorials, and he is the author or editor of eight influential books. Among his notable publications are Cultural Competence in Caring for Muslim Patients, Addictive Behaviours: Theory & Clinical Practice, Alcohol and Drug Misuse, and Dual Diagnosis. His forthcoming works include Health Psychology from an Islamic Perspective (International Islamic Publishing House, Riyadh), Islamic Counselling: An Introduction (Taylor & Francis), and Addictive Behaviours: The Disease and its Cure – An Islamic Perspective (International Islamic Publishing House, Riyadh). His work in these areas reflects his commitment to blending Islamic principles with modern psychological practices, offering a holistic and culturally sensitive approach to mental health and counselling.

Professional Memberships
Dr. Rassool holds several prestigious professional memberships, including:

• Fellow, International Association of Islamic Psychology
• Fellow, Royal Society of Public Health
• Member, Institute of Learning and Teaching
• Member, International Association of Muslim Psychologists

In the realm of research, Dr. Rassool focuses on the intersection of psychosocial and spiritual issues in mental health. His work explores how psychosocial and spiritual interventions can address mental health challenges, particularly within the framework of Islamic psychology and counselling. He is also deeply engaged in the development of indigenous psychology, which seeks to create culturally relevant psychological frameworks. His latest efforts center on applying the Maqasid Methodology—a foundational Islamic ethical approach—in the field of Islamic psychology, an initiative that could reshape therapeutic practices for Muslim patients around the world.

Dr. Rassool’s contributions to Islamic psychology extend beyond research and teaching. He holds several academic positions, including Professor at the Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation (CISAC) and Professor of Islamic Psychology at Riphah International University, Pakistan. He also serves as the Director of Studies for the Department of Islamic Psychology, Psychotherapy & Counselling at Al Balagh Academy, and he chairs the Al-Balkhi Research Institute (UK). His influence in these roles has helped shape the growing field of Islamic psychology by developing new academic programs, certification courses, and practical training modules that integrate Islamic principles with modern therapeutic practices.

Previously, Dr. Rassool was the Director of the Riphah Institute of Clinical and Professional Psychology and the first Head of the Department of Islamic Psychology at the International Open University (formerly the Islamic Online University). His tenure there was marked by the development of the world’s first Bachelor of Science degree in Islamic Psychology. Dr. Rassool also launched a university-accredited Certificate Course in Islamic Psychology in Pakistan in 2019 and an Advanced Diploma in Islamic Psychology and Psychotherapy in 2022, further establishing his role as a pioneer in the field.

Among his many accolades, Dr. Rassool is a recipient of the Florence Nightingale Research Foundation award in the UK for his contributions to mental health and addiction studies. His work in academia, research, and clinical practice has earned him international recognition, and he is regarded as one of the leading experts in Islamic psychology and counselling today.

In addition to his academic responsibilities, Dr. Rassool continues to practice as an Islamic psychotherapist, offering spiritual and psychological support grounded in Islamic teachings. His dual role as both a clinician and academic enables him to stay at the forefront of research and practice, ensuring that his work remains relevant and impactful.