A Comparative Analysis of the Therapeutic Approach of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with the Psychological Teachings of Imam Reza (A.S.)

Ahmadian, Mojtaba; Tehranchi, Ata

doi:10.22034/ijs.2025.427751.1124

A Comparative Analysis of the Therapeutic Approach of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with the Psychological Teachings of Imam Reza (A.S.)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Mojtaba Ahmadian ¹

Ata Tehranchi ²

¹ PhD Candidate in Clinical Psychology, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran.

² Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Imam Reza International University, Mashhad, Iran.

10.22034/ijs.2025.427751.1124

Abstract

The founders of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), as one of the newest and most successful therapeutic approaches, inspired by Eastern philosophy and relying on mindfulness, have challenged some prior paradigms and methods in psychology. It appears that this approach, compared to some of its predecessors, exhibits greater similarity to divine religions, particularly Islam. This research has sought to answer more precisely the question of to what extent and in what domains similarities exist between Islam and ACT. The research method of this paper is a comparative review and analysis of the theoretical foundations and therapeutic methods of ACT and Shiite Islamic teachings, with emphasis on the teachings of Imam Reza (A.S.), using their primary sources. The results of this study indicate that there are significant similarities between the two. Furthermore, various ACT techniques for well-being find considerable parallels in the verses of the Holy Quran and Islamic narrations.

Keywords

Imam Reza (A.S.)

Psychology

Religion

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

20.1001.1.29811341.1404.3.7.1.8

Subjects

امام رضا علیه السلام و روان شناسی

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