A qualitative study on the experience of infaq and isar in nafs psychotherapy as a technique of spiritiual counseling and care

This qualitative research aims to comprehensively examine the theoretical and practical dimensions of the nafs psychology school and nafs psychotherapy technique in spiritual counselling and guidance. Within the scope of qualitative methodology, the data collected with open-ended questions (n = 40) using structured interview technique with self-psychotherapists (n = 6) were examined in detail with the categorical analysis method. In the qualitative application part of the research, in which theoretical information about spiritual counselling and guidance as well as the psychology of the soul and the psychotherapy of the soul is given in the theoretical framework and the importance and value of the experience of infak and isar in the psychotherapy of the soul as a spiritual counselling and guidance technique is emphasised, the methodological information of the study as well as the analysis and interpretation of the qualitative findings obtained were included. As a result of this qualitative research; (i) nafs psychology adopts a dynamic, traditional and holistic approach by focusing on the inner world of the individual and acting as a bridge between East and West; (ii) the experiences of infak and isar in the psychology of the soul play a supportive and guiding role in spiritual counselling and guidance processes and form framework concepts from a cultural perspective; therefore, the experiences of infak and isar in the psychology of the soul in spiritual counselling and guidance have the potential to provide significant benefits at both individual and social levels; (iii) it is a universal field that is inclusive of all kinds of individuals in the society and can appeal to everyone by addressing the spiritual and cultural identity of the individual comprehensively at both individual and theoretical levels; (iv) the psychology of the soul has an individual approach to the client by phenomenologically evaluating dreams in the client's rise from the position of the receiving hand to the position of the giving hand; (v) the experience of infak and isar in the psychotherapy of the soul is an effective and valuable therapy method in supporting the therapeutic process of individuals as a supportive and complementary element in accelerating the healing process. This study shows that infak and isar experiences in nafs psychology and psychotherapy have an important place in spiritual counselling and guidance, and it is suggested that the mentioned school and technique can be used effectively especially in Turkish spiritual counselling and guidance research and practices.