ABOUT

The Machon Dvir Institute is a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) based service in Israel that provides treatment for all aspects of emotional dysregulation, impulsive, addictive and self-harming behaviors, and dysregulated eating. Such diagnoses include (but are not limited to) borderline and dependent personality disorders, complex PTSD, severe depression, anxiety and OCD. It caters for young English-speaking adults in the Jerusalem area.

Machon Dvir is led by the current joint head of Psychiatry at Hadassah University Hospital - Mt. Scopus, Dr. Shmuel Harris MD, and DBT expert Dr. Tzachi Fried PhD. Members of staff already work closely with many English-speaking institutions including Yeshivot, Seminaries, Kollelim and schools throughout Jerusalem.

The goal of Machon Dvir is to ensure that clients with complex emotional and behavioral issues get the support that they require, ensuring that they thrive during their time in Israel. Individual and group therapy along with medical management is provided by an integrated, multidisciplinary team comprising a psychiatrist, a psychologist and a social worker. All group therapy is gender separate.

Treatment begins with a comprehensive psychiatric and psychological intake, including an in-depth history, risk assessment, the use of questionnaires and scales to establish baseline functioning and monitor progress, and following team consultation, the development of a specific treatment plan and goals for each client.

The treating team will make recommendations regarding individual and group DBT therapy, deciding which of the following treatment programs (if any) is most suited to the client's needs:

LOW-INTENSITY DBT PROGRAM

Machon Dvir's low-intensity DBT program runs throughout the year and involves one 2-hour group session each week and 1-2 hours of weekly individual therapy (provided within or outside the service).

This low-intensity program is best suited for clients who are generally able to function but still experience challenges in managing their emotions. As such, they would benefit from an integrated team approach involving both individual and group DBT components. The goal of the low intensity program is to provide a cohesive framework within which the client will acquire important emotional regulation skills that will allow them to function more effectively. Contact us to find out about our current Low-Intensity DBT Program.

HIGH-INTENSITY DBT PROGRAM

Machon Dvir offers a high-intensity, 6-week DBT program with two 3-hour group sessions each week and 1-2 hours of weekly individual therapy, as well as psychiatric follow-up as required.

This high-intensity program is best suited for clients who are struggling with significant difficulties regulating their emotions and behavior (including self-harming behaviors) which is affecting their ability to function effectively. The goal of the high-intensity program is to provide a more structured and supportive framework for those clients who require intensive DBT treatment while in Israel, in order to help them acquire the necessary skills for effective functioning. Contact us to find out about our next High-Intensity DBT Programs.

INDIVIDUALIZED TREATMENT PLANS

Machon Dvir also offers an individualized psychological and psychiatric support for those clients who would benefit from the involvement of a multi-disciplinary, integrated team in their evaluation and treatment, with or without the group therapy component. Feel free to contact us without obligation and in complete confidence if you would like to discuss an individual case.

REAL TIME CLIENT MONITORING

Participants in the program will have access to the latest behavioral health applications, which will enable them to complete regular questionnaires, either using the app on their smartphone or by email. This will enable the treating team to regularly monitor participants between sessions.

COOPERATION WITH OUTSIDE CLINICIANS

By working closely with our clients referring clinicians, Machon Dvir can provide effective and timely intervention, and facilitate communication with family and school, in order to provide continuity of care. With the client's permission, we are happy to talk with treating physicians and therapists in Israel and back home. This model is consistent with best international medical practice standards.

In addition to outpatient services, Machon Dvir also offers an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for English speakers at our Raanana clinic. This 8-week program, the first of its kind in Israel, requires participants to attend three times per week, from 9 am to 1 pm.

Directed by Sarah Reinstein, MD, the IOP is currently open to women, ages 18+, who suffer from emotion dysregulation, personality disorders, or other behavioral health issues which challenge day to day functioning. The IOP is designed for individuals for whom once or twice per week therapy isn’t enough. It can also be used as a step-down from a more intensive level of care. The program emphasizes intensive DBT skills to help participants learn to regulate their emotions and increase their interpersonal effectiveness. It incorporates creative arts, movement, and self-defense, to aid in the development of self-efficacy, self-esteem, and trauma recovery. 

In conjunction with the IOP, participants will partner with Machon Dvir for psychiatric care and individual counseling for the duration of the program. Contact us to find out about our IOP DBT Program.