Hello and thank you for visiting.

When deciding upon a therapist to work with, it is especially important to feel a connection with the therapist you choose.I strongly believe that the capacity for healing is deeply rooted in interpersonal connections.My goal as a Psychotherapist is to create a safe and supportive environment where freedom of expression is encouraged and embraced.

I utilize an integrated approach and strengths-based perspective in the treatment of clients suffering with depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and/or complex trauma. I am well trained in assessments, diagnostics, crisis interventions, and ongoing clinical treatment.

My style is comprehensive and holistic. I have a passion for REBT, CBT, DBT, and mindfulness practices to enhance and sustain mental health across a continuum of care.

Both my personal and professional experience allows me to be an extremely compassionate and culturally competent therapist. I possess a strong work ethic and am committed to the values of my profession.

My affiliations with the American Institute of Cognitive Therapy as well as with the Albert Ellis Institute in New York has enriched my approach and brought excellent results with clientele.

Additionally, I am a strong motivator and supporter of self- empowerment as a means to true fulfillment and self-actualization. I also have extensive experience with goal planning(career or otherwise) assertiveness training, and/or career development. 

Website: http://jerusalem-therapy.com or http://couragetochange.co/ for all details

Email: gabrielle@couragetochange.co 

Sliding Scale is applicable.

I look forward to hearing from you! 

Gabrielle Thaler, LMSW, Psychotherapist

052-732-9938 

David has his MSW and also trained in Israel in Therapy and Coaching. He has more than 20 years of combined experience in the fields of Social Work and Education, having taught in elementary school, middle school and high school. 

Try on Your Teenage Glasses by David Kronish

Ever try looking at things from a different angle? That’s what we often have to do for a successful marriage. Learn to listen—and keep quiet. Well, our teen and young adult children demand the same. As D. Sterling with her insightful words puts it, "Teenagers are unpredictable"; they are smack in the middle of significant physiological, emotional and psychological changes, such that often they don't even understand themselves. They look more toward having fun than playing it safe. Many teens lack risk awareness and tend to engage in precarious behavior, such as texting while driving or using substances. One of my own children once told me, "Abba, sometimes you just have to let go and enjoy life, despite the risks."

At the bright young age of 20, or even 15, our young adult does not yet have two feet planted firmly on the ground—in other words, the maturity and insight of an adult. Trying to “fast-track” your teen or young adult child will often backfire, resulting in resentment and defiance.

The Ramchal, in Mesillat Yesharim, provides a metaphor for life experiences. He writes life is like navigating through a maze. Our Chachamim—learned, wise and experienced people—are situated above the maze and can see the correct path and the way to arrive at the desired finished line. Our response, much of the time is, "Thanks, but no thanks" or "I'll do it my way." Well, that is exactly how the vast majority of our teens feel when we try to offer them advice and guidance.

What are teens and young adults saying when they “push back” or seem irritable, as they often do? They are trying to express what they may or may not be aware they are feeling. They want to be respected, simply because they are human beings. Don't we adults often feel the same way?

So how do we show respect to our teenage children? By listening to them. By listening without planning our response to what they’re saying while they are saying it. We naturally feel more willing to share, and less of an urge to argue or explode, when the person we are speaking to is genuinely listening to us, and not just waiting for an opportunity to get in their own two cents. There is a time and a place for advice, but first teens must feel heard, understood, and loved.

Naama Moses, a counselor, certified lecturer in CBT and columnist for Olam Katan (a weekly newspaper for teens) presents us with a brief summary of the steps needed to be a good listener and to foster positive and close relationships, all from the perspective of our teens:

A. Be with me, here and now—let me feel your presence.

B. Be a discoverer—be interested in what I’m telling you; try to understand me without being judgmental at all. I am a different person, with different life experiences, growing up in a different day and age.

C. Check in (reflect back) with me, to show you’ve understood me and that you care.

D. Listen to me, until I’m finished saying what I have to say. Sometimes, my most important thoughts will come at the end of what I’m telling you.

E. Please don’t rush to offer me solutions. That’s not what I want or need from you. At the moment I’m not looking for your wisdom, I need your unconditional love and acceptance.

Dr. Joshua Ritchie, director of the Refuah Institute and close student of the previous Amshinover Rebbe, added a few invaluable points in his booklet on creating harmonious relationships.

1. Be Encouraging  Express admiration and appreciation for my qualities, accomplishments, values and courage. Validate my feelings and endorse my positive aspirations.

2. Be Empowering  Empower me by supporting me in making my own decisions. My successes will increase my self-respect, confidence, sense of responsibility and empowerment.

3. Be Optimistic  Optimistically trust in my essential goodness.

4. Be Loving  To love is to give, unconditionally. Your love for me will be nurturing and healing and will help me grow and develop

When we truly listen, out of love and a desire to understand, it will ultimately lead to greater closeness and thereby a more honest and open relationship. And, as Dr. Baruch Shulem says in his book, The Jerusalem Formula, if we give positive feedback, couched in positive language, we exponentially increase the chances of developing open lines of communication. That leads to a desire—on both sides—to share what we feel and develop a closer relationship.  

 

Understanding the Roots Of Your Being Will Enable You To Discover Yourself In A New Way!

My Role As A Therapist

After 35 years of experience in the field, I would say that a person who makes the first contact and asks to be in therapy actually is ready for a change, ready to improve his or her well-being and better his or her life. My role as a therapist is to use professional tools to facilitate the change, to change old sets of perceptions about the self and others with new sets of perceptions. Every person has a subjective world of experiences and therefore, every person needs specific, particular tools to promote the change. Treatment is a challenging journey of changes in perceptions of the internal world and the outer world, the journey in which there is a process toward a healthier and better life.

Background

After completing my B.A. and M.A. in Social Work at the University of Southern California (USC), I became actively involved in the Jewish and Israeli communities in Los Angeles, which was a very rewarding experience. I felt I was contributing to the bonding of the two communities. However, in my work with patients in the Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles, I felt that I hadn’t the extensive knowledge required to really bring about change. Therefore, I decided to continue my education toward a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the California Graduate Institute (CGI) with a psychoanalytic orientation.

After completion of my Ph.D., I did a post-doctorate with Robert Stolorow, Ph.D., the global leading authority in Intersubjective Systems Theory. The knowledge that I gained from him made me feel that I had finally acquired the depth and expertise that would enable me to truly help patients achieve the changes they desired. Over the years, Dr. Stolorow became my supervisor and mentor and is my guiding voice to this very day, especially when I am dealing with a patient with deep psychological issues. My relationship with him enables us to consult and brainstorm together on appropriate therapeutic interventions.

My Treatment

Since 1983, I have been practicing psychology using the Intersubjective Systems Theory. I use this treatment modality for individuals with various conditions, such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, trauma, relationship issues, etc. I am available to see couples and families privately as well. In addition, I treat bereave families through the Ministry of Defense and terror victims through National Insurance (Bituach Leumi).

What is the Intersubjective Systems Theory? 

The basic idea is that no person lives in isolation. Every individual is part of a system, and in fact, of many systems, defined by various common terms such as family, couple, mother-child, teacher-student, to name a few. In order to understand an individual’s behavior, we must understand the systems in which the individual functions, together with the subjective experience of each member within each system. The degree to which a system is healthy or unhealthy results from the role of each part of the system (i.e., each individual in the system).

This means that a healthy system can only be established by each individual examining themselves and their behavior within the system, “Am I responding adequately to my (spouse, child, friend, employer, etc.)?” In other words, we must focus on ourselves and try to adapt our behavior in relation to other individual(s) in the system.

It’s important to emphasize that every individual’s perception of the world is based on experiences from early infancy and throughout life, which shapes their individual world view (defined as their “organizing principles”). In order to improve a system, we need to identify the organizing principles that influence their behavior, especially in cases when this behavior causes friction or conflict. In other words, the ideal way to improve a system is for each member to take responsibility for his or her own actions. When one part of the system changes, the entire system will change as a result.

About Me & My Treatment Model

• Graduate in Social Work, University of Southern California and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, California Graduate Institute. 
• Since 1983, I have been practicing psychology using the Intersubjective Systems Theory.
• Supervised For 20 Years By Dr. Robert Stolorow, The Leading Authority In The World In The Field Of Self-Psychology & Founder Of Intersubjective Systems Theory
• Member Of The International Association For Psychoanalytic Self Psychology & Presenter
• Throughout the years in the United States and Israel, I worked with people of all backgrounds and cultures including: secular, religious and ultra-orthodox.
• I have worked extensively with olim hadashim from all Anglo countries, Russia and elsewhere helping them make adjustments to life in Israel, overcoming culture shock and help them psychologically.
• Treatment conducted in English or Hebrew 

35 Years Experience Treating The Following Conditions

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Low Self-Esteem
• Eating Disorders
• Psychosomatic Issues
• Infertility
• Relationships
• Marriage Counseling
• Parenting Skills
• Family Therapy
• And many more conditions 

Contact Me

therapistjerusalem.com 

I have been a practicing clinical psychologist in the United States for 40 years treating individuals and couples with a wide range of problems and issues. I have extensive experience treating anxiety disorders, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, marital conflicts, sexual and gender identity issues, and doing therapy with the elderly.

I generally follow the Cognitive Behavior Therapy approach to treatment but experience has taught me that it is even more important to match the type of treatment to the client’s personality and presenting problem than to force people to conform to a particular treatment model. Thus, I frequently explore underlying emotional conflicts, historical and childhood issues, and interpersonal or familial conflicts.

When focusing on communication in marital therapy, I obviously pay attention to the surface words but mostly work towards identifying the subtle underlying “between the lines” messages that the sender is often unaware of sending or the listener does not hear. Bringing these hidden messages and feelings out into the open usually results in a rekindling of the mutual understanding, respect, and love that attracted the couple to each other in the first place. However, on those occasions when the identified differences are irreconcilable and divorce is unfortunately necessary, I help the couple achieve as amicable a divorce as possible.

When treating individuals or couples, I am goal oriented, interactive, quickly share my observations and impressions, and am prepared to offer specific advice based on my expertise and established psychological principles. I welcome questions regarding the reasoning or rationale for my comments or specific suggestions and am very open to modifying my approach based on the reactions and feedback I receive. I have found that therapy works best when it is a collaborative relationship that is open, interactive, and caring

SPECIALTIES

CLIENT FOCUS

TREATMENT APPROACH

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Psychodynamic

Eclectic 

QUALIFICATIONS

FINANCES

DISTANCE COUNSELING

How do you know if you suffer from anxiety?

Anxiety in many situations is completely typical and normal, but unlike the relatively mild, transient anxiety caused by a stressful event (i.e. public speaking, going on a first date), anxiety disorders last at least 6 months and can worsen over time if they are left untreated. Anxiety disorders commonly occur along with other mental or physical illnesses, including alcohol or substance abuse, which may mask anxiety symptoms or make them worse. In some cases, these other illnesses may need to be addressed initially before a person will respond to treatment for the anxiety disorder.

Effective therapies for anxiety disorders are available, and research is uncovering new treatments that can help most people with anxiety disorders lead productive and fulfilling lives. If you think you have an anxiety disorder, you can benefit by gaining further information from Dr. Michael E. Portman a leader in the field of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

What is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that helps patients understand the thoughts and feelings that influence behaviors. CBT is commonly used to treat a wide range of disorders, including phobias, addictions, depression and anxiety.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is generally short-term, collaborative and focused on helping patients deal with a very specific problem or set of challenges. During the course of treatment, people learn how to identify and change unhealthy or distressing thought patterns that have a negative influence on behaviors.

In applying CBT in an individualized and compassionate manner, Dr. Portman can effectively treat a variety of conditions including:

·             Generalized Anxiety Disorder

·             Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and related conditions

·             Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

·             Panic Disorder

·             Social Anxiety Disorder

·             Specific Phobias

·             Substance Dependence and Abuse

·             Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

·             Sleep Disorders

·             Eating Disorders

·             Depression (i.e. Major Depressive Disorder, Dysthymia)

·             Bipolar Disorder

·             Formal Thought Disorders (i.e. Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder)

·             Personality Disorders

·             Marital Therapy and Pre-Marital counseling

·             Stress, Anger, Workload Burnout

·             Religious/Spiritual Conflicts

How do you know if Dr. Portman is the right therapist for you?

Dr. Portman is a highly approachable and competent professional. Just pick up the phone, give him a call and share your concerns. If Dr. Portman feels that you are someone who can benefit from his counsel, you can arrange to come into his office for a thorough assessment.

Call today… Well-being is a phone call away.

Key words: Psychology, Psychologists, therapy, counseling, 

Eliezer Bobski Newman, msw, mba  U.S. Licensed Psychotherapist, Trainer and Educator

Hadas Ofeck B.ed. Para Professional Coaching 

Professional Counseling services for individuals and couples:

• Helping you to reveal unsatisfying patterns that no longer serve you
• Providing an inspiring vision of the most authentic, highest-functioning and loving self you can imagine
• Teaching practical tools for honest, deep and commited relationships (with yourself and others)
•  Exploring the dance of male and female energies within and between us
•  Women's and Men's sexuality education 
•  Women's and Men's groups
•  Workshops for personal and spiritual growth. 

Welcome to The Family Center. 

Based in Beit-Shemesh, Israel, and serving the Jerusalem area,  we are dedicated to making your family life happier and more productive. We believe in a holistic approach to your family environment and use marriage counseling, teen assistance, arbitration and conflict resolution in an integrated methodology to make your life and the lives of your loved ones happier and more meaningful. Get the supoort you need today - schedule an initail FREE consultation to find out how The Famiily Center can help you.

Marriage Counseling

1 hour • Price varies

Certified and supervised therapists will work together with you to make your marital life more fulfilling for you and those who are most important to you.

Teen Counseling

1 hour 30 minutes • Price varies

Specialists in teen intervention and advocacy, along with experienced educators, will work with your child and assist him or her in reaching full potential by promoting a healthy and meaningful interaction with the various elements of the teen world.

Arbitration

1 hour • Price varies

Trained arbitrators and specialists in conflict resolution will work together to keep your case out of the courts and out of the hands of attorneys with their bank-breaking fees. Our focus is on the welfare of the couple whether it be in pre-marital negotiations or any other conflict that needs to be resolved.

Hello,

For many, the decision to seek counseling is often made during a stressful time and although challenging this time can serve as an opportunity that can lead to lasting change and greater life satisfaction. 

Through counseling, you will learn to identify and appreciate your strengths, as you change the things in your life that keep you from living to your full potential.  

You are invited to contact Dr. Bakst-- a bilingual (American/Israeli) therapist/life coach and licensed psychotherapist.

You will receive a free 10 minute free phone consultation and a meeting will then be scheduled in Tel Aviv.

On Facebook: 

Dr. Shelly Bakst, Ph.D.

050-661-6169

Website: www.doctorbakst.com

Best wishes, S. 

Very experienced and successful Australian psychologist, registered in Israel as a Couple and Family Therapist, is now offering individual and family counseling in English, in Jerusalem or via Facetime or Skype. For details see www.susanlewis.com.au

In person in Jerusalem or anywhere via SKYPE!

“When I understand myself I will understand everything – the world, life – until my understanding reaches the very Source of Life.” – Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook

The Place was established in 2006 as a warm haven of professional counseling, growth services and events. Male and female therapists work independently or as a team with all sectors of the religious Jewish community. The Place offers a confidential, relaxed environment to explore sensitive issues. We facilitate positive change for individuals, couples and families.

If there areas of your life which you find difficult let THE PLACE support you in discovering new perspectives and strengths. THE PLACE can help you and your loved ones with:

• Internet Addiction
• Phobias, Anxiety & OCD
• Personality Disorders
• Trauma Recovery
• Dating and Relationship Challenges
• Emotional Eating
• Grief Resolution
• Childhood and Adolescent Challenges
• Career Counselling
• Psychiatric Evaluation
• And More

• Providing professional therapy or individuals of all ages, couples and families
• Support Groups
• Ask the Therapist
• Telephone and SKYPE Services
• Workshops
• Helpline

At THE PLACE we understand that your healing and growth process is as individual as you are. THE PLACE staff meet the highest criterions of academic and clinical practice standards. Our team has received training in many modalities of treatment to contribute to your process including:

• Neurofeedback
• Internal Family Systems
• Art Therapy
• Music Therapy
• Play Therapy
• Expressive Arts Therapy
• Psychodrama
• Emotional Freeedom Technique(EFT)
• Somatic Experiencing (SE)
• Gottman Marital Therapy
• Conflict Resolution
• Guided Imagery
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Narrative Therapy
• Schema Therapy

Our staff also works as a team, allowing for peer supervision and consultation, Ask about our comprehensive care package, individualized to best meet your needs.. In our comfortable offices, confidential professionalism allows families, couples ,children, and individuals the safety to explore sensitive issues. THE PLACE allows clients to move past the challenges and live life to its fullest.

Though THE PLACE welcomes clientele from all backgrounds, our counseling and community services specialize in the needs of the religious community.

Our mission is to provide the support and means for all members of our community to access their strengths.

Take the next step .Discover THE PLACE for you.

I specialize in helping my clients overcome shame, embarrassment, humiliation and anxiety in social situations and fear of negative judgement by others and to overcome feelings of inadequacy in a non-judgmental and warm and accepting atmosphere. Also, initiating and maintaining relationships, as well as dating issues and beginning new relationships after divorce. 

You can benefit from my many years of experience in the USA and Israel facilitating workshops, as well as individual counseling.

We may use a combination of approaches, including education, skills training, behavioral rehearsal where we practice the skills needed in challenging situations. Assertiveness, communication, conversational training could also be included in our sessions. 

I have over twenty years experience treating social anxiety and I'm the author of "Shyness and How To Overcome It".

Our meetings can be arranged in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv. I speak Hebrew fluently.

Call or Email for a free consultation- 052-806-2540

Very affordable fees. 

Qualifications:

MSW-Licensed Master Social Worker. State University of New York

Psychotherapy License New York State: 018271-1 

State of New York Board of Regents certified in REBT, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy. 

Internship SUNY Stony Brook Psychological Center

Israeli qualifications: Certified Cognitive-Behavior specialist by the Israel Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Psychotherapy. איט"ה  https://www.itacbt.co.il/

אודות

Additional Credentials:

Albert Ellis Institute (AEI)/Associate Fellow. https://albertellis.org/

AASECT/certified Human sexual dysfunction therapist. https://www.aasect.org/