Jewish Therapy

There is a Jewish way of dealing with problems.

Being part of the Jewish nation brings immense pride and great significance with it. Yet, there are also many challenges.

Some religious leaders tell us that therapy is heretical because it has been developed by non-believers who are trying to pull us astray, while others encourage us to go to therapy but give little guidance in finding a therapist who is sensitive to our needs.

In fact, even many devoutly observant Jewish therapists use regular therapeutic techniques and try to foist it on us without regard to whether the method is consistent with our values.

My approach brings heaven down to earth.

As an observant Orthodox Jew initially trained as a rabbi and now a licensed therapist, I understand how to navigate both worlds.

The job of a religious leader is to teach you right from wrong, while the job of a good therapist is to help you live a more fulfilling life. This can happen both with and without your belief system. Yet, walking the tight rope of trying to do both is very hard. I will never force you to do anything you don’t want.

Instead, I will inspire and work with you to become the best version of who you were always meant to be. As an orthodox rabbi and therapist who believes in the unbroken chain of tradition and law stemming back to Moses at Mount Sinai, I am an unwavering follower of Jewish law and tradition as it has been passed down and codified in the Code of Jewish Law (Shulchan Aruch). Still, I will work with you based on your life circumstances.

Religious leaders can be helpful.

In addition to doing therapy with me, I firmly believe that it is in your best interest to have a trustworthy religious leader who can give you directives to follow.

Therefore, with your permission, I will collaborate with you to find out what is holding you back from following your religious ideals. Together, we will work to bring you to your greatest physical, emotional, and spiritual heights.

What if you don’t have a religious leader you trust to discuss this with? I will still work with you, help you become your best self to the best of my ability, and work toward helping you find a leader you can trust.

But remember, while I encourage you and push you out of your comfort zone, I will never pressure you beyond where you are holding.

We start with trust.

I will start by getting to know you both inside and out and understanding what you want to be different. We will work together to establish a good rapport and cultivate and strengthen the soulful human connection between one Jew and another.

For most Jews, some Mitzvos (commandments) are complex and impossible to fulfill. My job is never to judge you for that but to try to understand what is getting in your way. We will work diligently to bring you to a place of religious observance you are proud of.

Distinguish religious scrupulosity from mental health concerns.

Judaism is very detail-oriented when it comes to fulfilling religious obligations.

This can lead to being overly meticulous. At times, it can be challenging to determine whether a particular practice is being done correctly and when it crosses the line into being unhealthy. That is why having someone knowledgeable in Torah/Jewish law and psychological issues can be helpful.

Reclaim your faith post-harmful associations.

Many Jews have been harmed and turned off by an extreme and often distorted version of Judaism or have been hurt by those claiming to represent the Jewish way of life.

I am here to help you embark on a journey of rediscovering a genuine, loving, and authentic Judaism. We will work through past traumas and help bring you to a place of post-traumatic growth.

Being your best does not mean being perfect.

Even the best among us fall and falter, yet the key is getting back up repeatedly. Unfortunately, many Jewish men and women suffer in silence and beat themselves up for not being perfect.

I am here to work with you in conjunction with your religious leader, if necessary, and work with you to build you back up.

The path toward freedom is closer than you think.

Passover represents freedom from slavery and bondage. Each day represents an exercise in becoming untethered from our limitations and the things that hold us back.

Call, email, or message me now, so you can experience true freedom from your own obstacles and be the Jew you were always meant to be.