Tanya received her post graduate training in counseling psychology from Fordham University of New York. Prior to moving to California, Tanya worked with the East Harlem population providing individual and group therapy to families of incarcerated mothers and victims of domestic violence. She was also part of the schizophrenia research team at Nathan S. Klein Institute for Psychiatric Research. Tanya continued her specialty in Marriage and Family Therapy after moving to California and provided clinical services to older adults through Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles, treating a wide range of issues including grief, isolation, depression, and anxiety.
After making Aliyah, in 2012, Tanya opened a private practice in Israel. Seeing a wide gap between the mental health needs of the English-speaking public and their ability to access help in their mother tongue, Tanya founded Get Help Israel - The Israel Association of Mental Health Professionals. Clients can now easily find private clinicians throughout Israel, as well as support groups, treatment facilities, psychiatric facilities, subsidized services, hotlines, and information on navigating the public mental health care system. For the professional members of the association, GHI serves as the compass for therapists in building and maintaining a successful private practice. Tanya is passionate about finding mental health solutions for Olim, as she continues to grow the organization's programming and resources. To learn more about Get Help Israel, click here.
Ira graduated from Yeshiva University’s Sy Syms School of Business and spent eighteen years working in the Finance industry at Merrill Lynch, Nuveen, KCPS Clarity, and Battery Global Advisors. In 2019 Ira joined the team at GHI, using his extensive finance experience to develop the organization and help it reach its optimal potential in helping Anglos access the right help. Ira’s focus is on expanding the reach of GHI by building collaborative relationships with leading organizations, both international and domestic, to ensure that Get Help Israel is a globally recognized resource for anyone looking to navigate the mental health landscape in Israel.
In addition, Ira is the founder and CEO of The Get Help Israel Fund – Mental Health for Everyone, a non-profit focused on providing mental health support for Israel’s Lone Soldiers and Lone Bnot Sherut.
Join us for a restorative, cutting-edge conference that blends clinical education with embodied self-care, honoring your role as a healer and equipping you with tools for deeper, more effective therapeutic work.
This international conference invites clinicians to deepen their understanding of the mind-body connection and reconnect with themselves through embodied workshops in a peaceful oceanside setting.
GHI’s advisory board assists members in upholding a high standard of ethical practice by answering industry-related questions and guides Get Help Israel in achieving its purpose as an invaluable resource to both clients and mental health professionals in Israel.
Dr. Michael Roth is an Israeli Licensed School Psychologist and Supervisor. He has been practicing in Israel since his Aliyah in 2005. He was the Director of Ed. Psych. Services (Shapach) for the town of Bet El 2014-2021, and has been a member of the Psychologists Registry Board since 2018. Currently he is the coordinator of the Bagruyot Testing Accommodations program for the city of Eilat and conducts psycho-educational evaluations for several municipalities in the Jerusalem area.
Dr. Alyson Aviv is a bilingual licensed clinical psychologist with American board certification in pediatric neuropsychology. After relocating back home to Israel from Saint Louis, MO (which was home for 17 years), Dr. Aviv now sees patients and their families at her diagnostic and treatment clinic in Raanana. With special interest and expertise in AD/HD, learning difficulties, dyslexia, autism spectrum, developmental issues and emotional disorders.
Dr. Aviv can explain the sources of difficulties, and then provide resources and interventions for overcoming them. She has published papers and given a variety of workshops and presentations internationally and locally, consults regularly with area schools and preschools; and gives lectures, workshops and group presentations. Dr. Aviv is the sole Israeli provider of COGMED, an evidence based treatment protocol for children and adults with working memory weaknesses, common to ADHD diagnoses.
Dr. Batya L. Ludman, Psy.D., F.T., a licensed clinical psychologist, with over 35 years of therapy and counseling experience, has been serving the English speaking community of Central Israel and beyond for the past 17 years. Dr. Ludman has served on the board of directors of both the provincial psychological association and psychology licensing board in Canada, and has held faculty appointments at Universities in the US and Canada. She completed Post-Doctoral training in Sex Therapy and has advanced accreditation as a Fellow in Thanatology (Death Education and Counselling).
Dr. Ludman has given workshops on marriage, parenting, stress management, coping and bereavement, the psychological impact of terror and trauma as well as professional development. She has published extensively in both the professional and lay literature and has been quoted in Reader’s Digest, Modern Woman, Today’s Parent, Canadian Family, Jewish Week, The Jerusalem Report, and CNN among others. She initiated a psychology column in the Jerusalem Post in 2000, and has been writing this acclaimed column ever since and is the author of the book, Life’s Journey: Exploring Relationships, Resolving Conflicts.
Dr. Haim Rubinstein is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in treatment of children, teens and their families with an emphasis on goal-directed short term therapy that makes sense to the client, regardless of age. He also sees adults for general psychological issues. Dr. Rubinstein moved to Israel in 1999 and treats most forms of childhood emotional and behavioral disorders with a sub-specialty in social skills groups for children and teens. The group therapy involves teaching concrete social skills with practice and video feedback.
Much of his individual/family therapy has been in the treatment of those struggling with ADHD, ASD and Learning Disabilities. His emphasis is often on grappling with the impact of these disorders on one’s emotional state and daily functioning. Dr. Rubinstein has a private practice in Raanana and treats in Hebrew and English. He also gives workshops and presentations for teachers, parents and mental health professionals on promoting social development in youth.
Dr. Avivit Fuchs is a Board Certified Adult Psychiatrist with over 20 years of clinical experience. Dr. Fuchs made Aliyah over 5 years ago. Prior to moving, she lived in NY and was the Medical Director of the Adult Partial Hospital Program at Zucker Hillside Hospital/ Northwell Health on Long Island. Dr. Fuchs is a licensed פסיכיאטרית מומחה in Israel. She worked for several years in the Psychiatry Division at Sheba/ Tel-Hashomer Medical Center in their Day Hospital program and their Online Home Hospitalization program. Currently, she has a private practice in Israel treating patients located all over the country via Telepsychiatry. In addition, she has an active Telepsychiatry practice in NY State.
GHI's Ethics Committee exists to uphold and promote the highest ethical standards across all disciplines represented in the association. The committee serves to ensure that all GHI members are practicing in accordance with the ethical code of their respective disciplines, serves as a review body for any ethical complaints filed by the public or by members regarding therapists listed in the GHI Database, and provides ethical consultation and guidance to GHI members through quarterly ethics consultation groups. The Ethics Committee is actively involved in developing the official Code of Ethics for the Israel Association of Mental Health Professionals (GHI), which all members are required to uphold.
Dr. Rafaeli's training focused mainly on evidence-based treatment approaches, and included a fellowship at Albert Einstein College of Medicine’s Adolescent Psychoeducational Treatment Program, training and research in Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) at the NY State Psychiatric Institute/Columbia University, and an advanced certificate and post-doctoral fellowship in Cognitive/Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapies (CBT and REBT) from the Albert Ellis Institute. She is licensed as a clinical psychologist in NY State and in Israel, and has worked as a therapist in outpatient clinics, counseling centers and research settings. Dr. Rafaeli’s main interest is in the development and dissemination of Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), in which she has close to 20 years of experience. She has given numerous trainings and workshops on IPT in Israel and abroad, and has extensive experience with various adaptations of the approach. She serves as a master co-trainer in a joint program of Columbia University and the World Health Organization (WHO) dedicated to spreading the IPT approach in developing countries, and has published theoretical articles and case studies of IPT therapies. She is a member of the International Society for Interpersonal Therapy (ISIPT), where she serves on the journal and certification committees. She is also a co-founder of the local Israeli chapter of IPT.
Debbie Amichai holds a Masters Degree in Social Studies and Social Work from Oxford University. She is an accredited Couples and Family therapist and sexual advisor with over 25 years experience as a therapist. She runs clinics in Jerusalem and in Tel Aviv where she sees individuals, couples and families. Debbie also meets with clients all over the world on zoom. In addition Debbie has worked for many years in different capacities helping women in abusive situations and proudly serves on the board of El-Halev, the Centre for Education for the Prevention of Violence, where she advises on clinical matters. As a couples therapist, Debbie's focus is with couples where one or both partners has ADHD brain-wiring. Debbie gives lectures and workshops all around Israel. In addition, together with her husband who has an expertise on digital technology, she gives workshops on savvy screen and smartphone use for couples and families. They are presently writing a book together, on how to be a happy and successful ADHD couple in the digital era.
Dr. Lisa Law is a UK-trained Clinical Psychologist with a BSc in Psychology at Leeds University and a Professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of London. Lisa has 26 years of psychotherapy experience working with children, adults, couples, families and groups. Her specialist experience includes issues of immigration and acculturation, such as bilingual couple therapy and development of refugee support systems. Lisa has 19 years of university teaching experience at various institutions, including Tel Aviv, Reichman and New York University. Her ongoing interest in professional ethics was enriched whilst teaching an ethics workshop, which provided an opportunity for psychotherapy students on Masters level training courses to collaboratively address ethical dilemmas. Lisa has founded and runs an academic forum for integrative psychotherapy and previously coordinated student counselling services for international students at Reichman University.
Ruthie Ayzenberg is a California-licensed psychotherapist with over 13 years of experience across hospitals, outpatient programs, schools, community clinics, and private practice. She holds dual licensure as an LMFT and LPCC, and has worked extensively in perinatal mental health at all levels of care. Her wide ranging clinical experience spans the full lifespan, supporting diverse populations across cultures, identities, and clinical presentations. Through her private practice, Mental Fitness Therapy, Ruthie integrates somatic work, creativity, movement, spirituality, and community-based healing to support emotional resilience and inner coherence. Ruthie’s early background in psychology research, as well as her collaborations with mental health tech developers, and her ongoing participation in clinical consultation groups have shaped her thoughtful and engaged approach to ethics with special interests in cultural humility, technology in mental health, and navigating ethics gray areas.
David Bienenfeld, M.D. is Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Geriatric Medicine at the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. He trained in Psychiatry and Geriatric Psychiatry at the University of Cincinnati, and trained in Cognitive Therapy at the Beck Institute. Most of his professional career was as Residency Training Director at Wright State University. He is the author of two books (on geriatric psychiatry and psychodynamic theory), has published 40 papers and 36 book chapters and delivered over 80 major presentations. He is licensed in Ohio and Georgia as well as in Israel, where he is certified as Specialist in Psychiatry. Dr. Bienenfeld is in private practice in Beit Shemesh. He is the proud father of two and grandfather of four, and devoted to his faith and Torah learning.
Dr. Elisheva (Elie) Hoffman has worked as a Clinical Psychologist in New York City and Tel Aviv for over 15 years. Elie worked at Woodhull Hospital in Brooklyn, NY as a Staff Psychologist, Clinical Supervisor, and Team Leader in Community Crisis Intervention. Following her hospital experience, she worked at Columbia University’s Counseling and Psychological Services. Upon her return to Israel, she worked with international students at Tel Aviv University and subsequently established a private practice in Tel Aviv in 2017.
Dr. Howard Chusid is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator in both Family and Circuit Civil Mediation, bringing 17 years of experience mediating cases for families and on behalf of the Florida Department of Financial Services. He is additionally a Board Certified Counselor with specialties in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Family and Divorce, ADD/HD, working with children/adolescents with academic issues, elder care maladies, people with medical issues and end of life issues. His work has spanned both private and public sectors, addressing complex interpersonal and systemic challenges with professionalism and care.
Long before collaborative forums became standard practice, Howard helped launch statewide managed care meetings in Florida aimed at addressing industry-wide issues through open dialogue and cooperation. Only later in life did he go back to school for his doctorate in Counseling Psychology. For the past six years, Howard has served on the Board of Ethics for the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association (FMHCA), contributing to the advancement of ethical standards within the mental health field.
Ely (Eliahu) Braun is an Ontario, Canada Registered Psychotherapist (RP), Chartered Mediator (C.Med.) and former congregational Rabbi. He has lectured on and taught courses on Biomedical Ethics in the USA and Canada and has served on Institutional Review Board and Ethics committees of hospitals, nursing homes and service agencies.
GHI's Aliyah Committee provides guidance and support to new therapists and prospective olim who have questions about working in Israel in the mental health field. If you're a new oleh or are considering Aliyah, and have questions for a member of the Aliyah Committee, you may email them through their professional profile.
Join us for a restorative, cutting-edge conference that blends clinical education with embodied self-care, honoring your role as a healer and equipping you with tools for deeper, more effective therapeutic work.
This international conference invites clinicians to deepen their understanding of the mind-body connection and reconnect with themselves through embodied workshops in a peaceful oceanside setting.
