Shifra Kalmanowitz
Credentials
Type of Therapist:
School Psychologist, Psychotherapist
Primary Degree(s):
MA
Finances
Average Cost Per Session:
350-500 NIS
Insurance:
None
Discounts Available:
None

Registered Psychologist in Israel Mumche Specialty License in Israel

Office
  • 4 Rav Ashi Street
  • Jerusalem

Shifra Kalmanowitz Verified Verified

Credentials
Type of Therapist:

School Psychologist, Psychotherapist

Primary Degree(s):

MA

Finances
Average Cost Per Session:

350-500 NIS

Insurance:

None

Discounts Available:

None

Registered Psychologist in Israel Mumche Specialty License in Israel

Office
  • 4 Rav Ashi Street
  • Jerusalem

ABOUT

I am a licensed psychologist with over 20 years of experience working within the public and private sectors. In my private practice I work with children, adolescents and adults. I believe in collaborative work with parents when working therapeutically with children and young adolescents. The therapeutic intervention is discussed and planned together with the parents and when indicated, necessary and relevant also includes intervention, and cooperation within the child or adolescent’s natural environment (for example meeting with school teams and so on…). For me an honest and trusting therapeutic relationship is the foundation upon which the desired change or healing takes place, and it is through this connection that I believe one can be helped. My overall approach to therapy is psychodynamic, using play-therapy with younger children and various child appropriate techniques depending on the modality, and creative medium, to which the child is attracted or naturally drawn (including various forms of art and generally joining the child in his or her natural creative directions). I integrate numerous techniques and therapeutic strategies in order to provide for each unique client’s needs, specific challenges and concerns. I am continuously expanding my training and gaining experience with the constantly developing current therapeutic techniques and tools. I have training in many areas including for example; psychotherapy for adults, S.E (Somatic Experiencing), TF-CBT, ongoing continuous studying of treatment methods in the area of sexual abuse, Parent Counseling, Hypnosis and various other treatment modalities. I am currently training in CPP (Child-Parent Psychotherapy), a method of dyadic therapy for very young traumatized children. In the public sector, I am currently working at the Educational Psychological Services in Jerusalem, with over 20 years of experience within the school system, working with children of all ages, from kindergarten until 12th grade, including work within educational systems serving children with special needs. Amongst other tasks, I serve as a consultant for school staff, paraprofessionals, parents, offer psycho-educational assessments, parental counseling, provide supervision for psychologists etc. I am also the co-founder and director of a therapeutic center for children and adolescents who have been sexually abused. I have developed training courses for psychologists interested in specializing in therapy and interventions with children and adolescents who have been sexually abused and give lectures in this field.

QUALIFICATIONS

Degree
Education
Year of Graduation

MA

University of Toronto (OISE)

1994


Degree
MA

Education
University of Toronto (OISE)

Year of Graduation
1994
Years in Practice

29

LICENSED IN ISRAEL
Registration in Pinkas Hapsichologim

4848

Mumche Category

Educational Psychologist

Mumche License Number

5618

Learn more about GHI's verification of therapists here.

ADDITIONAL CREDENTIALS

Completion of a three year Psychotherapy Course at the Israel Institute of Psychoanalysis - Max Eitingon Institute Jerusalem (2014)
Licensed Hypnotherapist - 2017

DISTANCE COUNSELING

None

SPECIALTIES

Adjustments

Anxiety / Panic

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Behavioral Concerns In Children

Child Abuse

Developmental Disorders

Learning Disabilities

Life Transitions

Parenting Issues / Training

Self-Esteem

Sexual Abuse / Rape

Stress Management

Trauma / Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD

CLIENT FOCUS

Population

Children
Adolescents
Adults

Languages

Hebrew
English

TREATMENT APPROACH

Play TherapyPlay therapy is an evidence-based, developmentally appropriate form of intervention used to facilitate emotional, cognitive, and social growth in children. Play therapy is based on the premise that play is the child's natural medium of self-expression and can be used to assess and help a child work through difficult emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. The goal of play therapy is to help children develop the skills and abilities to navigate life stressors, and build self-esteem. During treatment, the therapist creates a comfortable, safe environment (a playroom) for the child to play with as few limits as possible. The toys in the playroom are intended to encourage the child to express his or her feelings and develop healthier behaviors. The child’s “play” with these toys serve as the child’s symbolic words, which may be difficult to express otherwise.

Psychodynamic TherapyPsychodynamic therapy is a form of therapy that focuses on the unconscious mind and how it affects behavior. It works to help people understand and work through past experiences and feelings that may be causing difficulties in the present. This type of therapy encourages individuals to explore their emotions, relationships, and behaviors in order to gain insight into their current difficulties. It can help individuals better understand themselves and their motivations, and gain insight into how past events have impacted their current lives. People tend to develop defense mechanisms when faced with challenges in life. Defense mechanisms may keep painful feelings, memories, and experiences in the unconscious. A few common defense mechanisms include: denial, repression, and rationalization. Psychodynamic therapists encourage people to speak freely about their emotions, desires, and fears. Being open may help uncover vulnerable feelings that have been pushed out of conscious awareness. According to psychodynamic theory, behavior is influenced by unconscious thought. Once painful feelings are brought forth and processed, the defense mechanisms are no longer needed and a person in treatment can start changing unhelpful patterns when coping with life’s challenges.

Somatic Experiencing (SE)Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a body-oriented approach to the healing of trauma and other physical and psychological stresses. It is based on the idea that the body is a powerful source of healing and that unresolved trauma can be resolved through the process of bringing awareness and attention to the physical sensations of the body. By gradually and gently guiding individuals through the sensations associated with their traumatic experience, SE can help to restore balance and well-being more quickly and effectively than traditional psychotherapy. SE utilizes the body’s natural ability to regulate and heal itself and supports individuals in developing more resilience and self-regulation. Somatic Experiencing aims to help people move past the place where they might be “stuck” in processing a traumatic event. SE is often used to treat symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based practice used to help children, adolescents and their parents who have experienced a single or multiple traumatic events. This type of therapy combines cognitive and behavioral strategies to help people process their traumatic experiences, manage their distress, develop coping skills, and restore their sense of safety and well-being. TF-CBT focuses on education and skill-building, creating an environment of safety and trust, and using therapeutic activities to help people understand their responses and control their symptoms. Children are shown how perceptions may be distorted and are given the tools to redesign those perceptions. TF-CBT is a skills-based model, and it requires the child and parent to practice its components in order to be optimally effective. Parents and children are commonly asked to practice skills at home.

Dyadic Therapy (Parent-Child) for young children

SERVICES OFFERED

Individual Therapy
Hadrachat Horim