I am an internationally known telemental health, treatment specialist and a pioneer in online therapy and have been working exclusively online since 2011. From 2005 to 2011, I was a case manager in the Impaired Professionals’ Program at Ridgeview Institute in Smyrna, Georgia and, as a trauma specialist, conducted the Trauma Survivors’ Group at that institution. Before coming to Ridgeview, I served as a Mental Health Officer in the Medical Corps of the Israel Defense Force (reserves) in a mobile unit for the treatment of combat reactions and trauma (PTSD) for fourteen years. I also had a contract with Israel Ministry of Defense for treating victims of terrorist attacks. For twenty-seven years, I was a Senior Staff Therapist at The Child and Family Clinic of the Kibbutz Movement in Israel. I was also a counselor at the Psychological Counseling Center at Haifa University, taught courses in psychology, and supervised social workers at the masters’ level.
I founded The Israel Counseling and Treatment Center of the North, a private clinic which provided an evidence-based approach in treating food and eating addictions. The eating disorders’ treatment program became the largest and most successful ambulatory facility in Israel. I was the Clinical Director of Israel’s first, twelve-step treatment facilities and instrumental in advocating for the efficacy of the Anonymous Fellowships: AA, NA, OA.
Now that you have a summary of a good part of my professional experience, you may wonder if we can succeed in meeting your needs. I believe the most important factor, aside from theoretical and practical experience, is the relationship which is sometimes referred to as the “chemistry” between client and therapist. This relationship factor is hard to define but evident on the feeling level very quickly. If we are connecting, let’s move forward. If not, we look for other options for you: Introduction