Kineret Shapira
Clinical psychologist intern at the Bar-Ilan University’s Students’ Clinic. Kineret is the current coordinator of the Relational Psychotherapy Research Lab at the Bar-Ilan University. Writes and researches within the framework of relational psychoanalysis and its intersections with critical theory, gender studies and comparative literature. Conducts qualitative research focused on intergenerational dissociative aspects of traumatization, as these were identified by unconscious relational communication pathways.
Noam Maoz
I am currently working towards an M.A. from Bar-Ilan University's children’s clinical psychology Program.
I intend to conduct a study, utilizing write-ups of interviews performed by the Israeli military, to identify the underlying mechanisms of bipolar disorder in people who were diagnosed later in their military service.
In this proposed study I will examine the write-ups of interviews of seventeen-year-olds who were later diagnosed with bipolar disorder and compare them to controls. Using pre-morbid data of bipolar disorder provides a unique opportunity to learn more about the mechanisms and causes of social and educational dysfunction in this population.
I intend to conduct a study, utilizing write-ups of interviews performed by the Israeli military, to identify the underlying mechanisms of bipolar disorder in people who were diagnosed later in their military service.
In this proposed study I will examine the write-ups of interviews of seventeen-year-olds who were later diagnosed with bipolar disorder and compare them to controls. Using pre-morbid data of bipolar disorder provides a unique opportunity to learn more about the mechanisms and causes of social and educational dysfunction in this population.
Tal Eckstein
My name is Tal Eckstein and I’m a graduate student in the Clinical-Rehabilitation Psychology program. My thesis deals with Filipino caregivers who have experienced the loss of an employer, with whom they’ve had a meaningful relationship. Many times, a special bond develops between live-in caregivers and their employers. When the employer passes away, the caregiver might experience feelings of loss and grief. The purpose of my study is to advance our understanding of coping with loss in general, and specifically in the caregiving profession. Another goal is to raise awareness of caregivers’ psychological and emotional needs.
Zohar Vidan
I am a first year doctoral student, having previously received an M.A. from the Clinical Psychology Program at Bar-Ilan University.
Research name: Characteristics of the Traumatic Narrative Before and After Treatment in Organization,
Affect and Integration in the Autobiographic Memory.
The research evaluates a short-term PTSD treatment. As part of the evaluation measures,
we analyze different aspects of the traumatic narratives both before and after treatment.
Research name: Characteristics of the Traumatic Narrative Before and After Treatment in Organization,
Affect and Integration in the Autobiographic Memory.
The research evaluates a short-term PTSD treatment. As part of the evaluation measures,
we analyze different aspects of the traumatic narratives both before and after treatment.
Shlomit Rozen
I have been a PhD candidate in the Gender Studies Program at Bar-Ilan University since 2008. My M.A. thesis, which I completed within the Gender Studies Program, dealt with the topic of psychosis in women's autobiographies.
The title of my PhD dissertation is: "The Interaction of Life Stories about Loneliness and the Perception of Gender Identity Development." Drawing on life stories of men and women in their forties, this research aims to follow the paths by which loneliness is interwoven into life stories, in an attempt to decode its relationship with perceptions of gender identity development.
The title of my PhD dissertation is: "The Interaction of Life Stories about Loneliness and the Perception of Gender Identity Development." Drawing on life stories of men and women in their forties, this research aims to follow the paths by which loneliness is interwoven into life stories, in an attempt to decode its relationship with perceptions of gender identity development.
Studies on Psychotherapy
Maya Farbshtain
Clinical Psychology graduate at the the Bar-Ilan University. Maya is currently in the process of performing her qualitative research, which focuses on the ways in which elder women experience and express a personal crises evolving around their transition to old age, as brought up during their therapy
Maya’s work is part of the wider activity of the psychotherapy process-research that takes place in our lab. Based on the relational approach, it focuses on the development of the TPA (Two-Person APES), and its utilization in the research of therapeutic processes. As a part of her work, Maya codes transcripts of therapeutic sessions according to the TPA scale, thereby expanding the investigative work on therapeutic processes performed by our lab members.
Roni Adini
Clinical psychology graduate student at the Bar Ilan University. Roni is interested in understanding the role of mutuality and synchronicity in therapeutic processes and her doctorate-level dissertation is titled: “Synchronicity in Psychotherapy; its Role in establishing the Therapeutic Alliance and its Relationship to the Treatment Outcome.”
Sharon Shimshi, M.A
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Clinical Psychology Intern at the Student’s Clinic at the Ben-Gurion University,her current research focuses on the relationships between innovative moments and TPA (Two-Person APES) and their contributions to outcome variables in psychodynamic psychotherapy. Sharon is interested in the study of therapeutic relationship, movement between self-states and the client's narrative and emotional change during successful treatments. Specifically, she is curious on how various narrative and emotional changes occur during successful psychodynamic treatments.
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Studies on Stress, Grief and Trauma
Galya Aderet
M.A. in Clinical Psychology, Adult Track, Bar Ilan
My area of research relates to PTSD and combat veterans. In the “I Was There” intervention, small groups of veterans, many of whom have previously refused mental health services, are invited to come together and create short films about their coping. The goal of the intervention is to reduce social isolation and strengthen family, community, and professional bonds. Additionally the intervention aims to enable participants to collaborate with peers to process their service experiences, validate veterans’ experiences, advance community dialogue, and educate the public about the mental health challenges facing veterans and military families. The purpose of my research is to qualitatively explore the essence and significance of the workshop as experienced by participants. Further, I am working to assess how substantial themes within veterans’ coping are solidified and reflected in the films. In addition to observing whether the theoretical goals of the intervention are achieved, this exploration can sharpen our understanding of military related stress and trauma.
My area of research relates to PTSD and combat veterans. In the “I Was There” intervention, small groups of veterans, many of whom have previously refused mental health services, are invited to come together and create short films about their coping. The goal of the intervention is to reduce social isolation and strengthen family, community, and professional bonds. Additionally the intervention aims to enable participants to collaborate with peers to process their service experiences, validate veterans’ experiences, advance community dialogue, and educate the public about the mental health challenges facing veterans and military families. The purpose of my research is to qualitatively explore the essence and significance of the workshop as experienced by participants. Further, I am working to assess how substantial themes within veterans’ coping are solidified and reflected in the films. In addition to observing whether the theoretical goals of the intervention are achieved, this exploration can sharpen our understanding of military related stress and trauma.
Shahar Bitton
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Ph.D. Program, Clinical Psychology, Bar-Ilan University.
I am a M.A. graduate of the Clinical Psychology program (Adult Sub-Speciality) at Bar-Ilan University. My dissertation is entitled: Reciprocal Influences between Distress Symptoms of Parents of Combat Soldiers and of Their Soldier Son as a Result of the Military Service. The recruitment and adjustment to military service is a highly demanding and stressful period both for the recruited adolescent and for his parents. While the child’s experience has been well researched, it seems that the parents’ experience has been surprisingly neglected. The main purpose of my study is to contribute to the knowledge base pertaining to families of military personnel, by prospectively examining the emotional needs of combat soldiers’ parents before and during the actual active duty service of their child in IDF. Additionally, the research will examine a model of reciprocal influences between the child’s and parent’s distress and how this model influences the child’s adjustment to military service. |
Esti Vega
Program for Gender Studies, Bar-Ilan University, Ph.D.
My research deals with sexual abuse in the ultra-Orthodox community, from the perspective of mothers. The study includes aspects of education for protection and coping with the consequences of sexual abuse, on their personal and social life.
In recent years, in the ultra-Orthodox community, there has been a certain increase in awareness of the need for a significant reference to the phenomenon, both in terms of education for the protected and in terms of the treatment of casualties.
In order to learn about the phenomenon in-depth and its various aspects, I examine it from the perspective of motherhood both in relation to their parental role and in relation to their experiences as women and as subjects.
My research deals with sexual abuse in the ultra-Orthodox community, from the perspective of mothers. The study includes aspects of education for protection and coping with the consequences of sexual abuse, on their personal and social life.
In recent years, in the ultra-Orthodox community, there has been a certain increase in awareness of the need for a significant reference to the phenomenon, both in terms of education for the protected and in terms of the treatment of casualties.
In order to learn about the phenomenon in-depth and its various aspects, I examine it from the perspective of motherhood both in relation to their parental role and in relation to their experiences as women and as subjects.
Naomi Eini
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My study is entitled "Middle age people coping with the loss of their parents".
"Death is a natural part of life" is a common reaction framing the passing of elderly parents as a normal part of the life course. This conventional approach often conflicts with the loss experienced by the offspring, specifically by overlooking the impact on their physical and emotional functioning, and specifically on behavior and self-awareness. This study examines the intersection between two areas of the life cycle – parental loss and middle age. Qualitative and quantitative research is used to understand the experience of parental loss among adults in their middle ages – the consequences, approaches to mourning, and coping skills. The importance of the present study lies in focusing on the 'natural', more common loss experience and particularly through a developmental prism that is a potential platform for personal change and growth. |
Lika Hatzir
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Ph.D. program, at the psychology department in Bar Ilan University. I'm conducting a study under the supervision of Dr. Tamar Zilberg and Prof. Rivka Toval.
I have been working as an educational psychologist more than 25 years, and as a family and couple therapist from 2014, both in public and private practice. My goal is to help children, adolescence, parents, and educators deal better with the difficulties of life and to facilitate well- being in educational and other organizational settings. My study focuses on the factors associated to the well-being of teenagers (12-18) that suffer from chronic illness (diabetes and life-threatening allergies). We will try to deal with dietary dependent chronic illness management, the mediating role of perceived parental support and type of motivation on adolescent's psychological and physiological well-being. the study will use combined method and will include questionnaires and in-depth interviews. |
Nira Shmueli
Ph.D, program for Gender Studies, Bar-Ilan University. my study entiteld: Familial thinking patters and mental adjustment to the IDF
This study is part of a broad study, that examines the adjustment of recruits and their parents to the family stage, the leaving home transition in order to enlist to the military service. The purpose of this study is to investigate three aspects during this transition: (1) Is there a mutual cognitive style (rational/irrational beliefs, Ellis, 1994) between family members (parents and their young adult/soldier) and how these mutual style maintains or changes in the process of leaving home and recruiting?; (2) How does family cognitive style is related to the emotional adjustment to the recruitment process of the three family members?; (3) Gender differences and/or similarities in thinking patterns and emotional adjustment to the recruiting phase.
The study expands our knowledge and gives a new understanding of the rational and irrational thinking processes within the family. Moreover, it reveals how these processes express at the time of leaving home for recruiting. Additionally, the study increases the knowledge about the emotional adjustment of parents and their adolescents in this process.
This study is part of a broad study, that examines the adjustment of recruits and their parents to the family stage, the leaving home transition in order to enlist to the military service. The purpose of this study is to investigate three aspects during this transition: (1) Is there a mutual cognitive style (rational/irrational beliefs, Ellis, 1994) between family members (parents and their young adult/soldier) and how these mutual style maintains or changes in the process of leaving home and recruiting?; (2) How does family cognitive style is related to the emotional adjustment to the recruitment process of the three family members?; (3) Gender differences and/or similarities in thinking patterns and emotional adjustment to the recruiting phase.
The study expands our knowledge and gives a new understanding of the rational and irrational thinking processes within the family. Moreover, it reveals how these processes express at the time of leaving home for recruiting. Additionally, the study increases the knowledge about the emotional adjustment of parents and their adolescents in this process.
Studies on Mental Health and Wellbeing among women
Dana Caspi
M.A student of the Clinical Psychology program, Bar Ilan University
My thesis will focus on therapists' experiences when treating patients with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) regarding the role of their gender in forming a theraputic alliance with patients.
Many researches have shown the positive effect of the theraputic alliance on commitment to and success of therapy. Treating AN has been shown to be very challenging, and little is known about the factors contributing to forming a strong alliance with AN patients. My research will focus on gender as one of the factors that might affect the theraputic alliance.
My thesis will focus on therapists' experiences when treating patients with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) regarding the role of their gender in forming a theraputic alliance with patients.
Many researches have shown the positive effect of the theraputic alliance on commitment to and success of therapy. Treating AN has been shown to be very challenging, and little is known about the factors contributing to forming a strong alliance with AN patients. My research will focus on gender as one of the factors that might affect the theraputic alliance.
Heftzi Zion Mozes
Gender Studies Program, Bar Ilan University, M.A
Many women have to cope with breast cancer at some point in their lives, and many of them will return to health afterwards. There is rising awareness in the medical and mental health communities of the importance of therapy after cancer treatments have concluded. There are various therapy strategies that women choose themselves and that are offered by organizations and private therapists. While the disease and the medical treatments affect the body, psychotherapy uses words and does not provide much space for the body. Coping with breast cancer offers a unique opportunity to integrate body and mind therapy focusing on such elements as self-image, femininity, and sexuality.
In this study I will focus on the embodied experiences of women who coped with breast cancer by participating in therapy that integrated the body in the psychotherapeutic process (methods included in the study: movement therapy, drama therapy and body psychotherapy) to learn about the quality of these experiences and the therapy itself on this group of research subjects.
Maia Yogev
M.A student of the Clinical Psychology program, Bar Ilan University
Patients with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) have long had a reputation as being difficult for clinicians to treat. It is assumed that among the factors that contribute to this difficulty is the challenge therapists face when trying to form a Theraputic Alliance (TA) with AN patients. Among the reasons that might contribute to this challenge is that AN patients are often diagnosed with comorbidity with one or more disorders (i.e Major Depression, OCD, Personality Disorders, etc.). Previous studies have shown that therapists often experience strong negative feelings when dealing with comorbidity among AN patients (specifically with personality disorders).
My thesis will focus on therapists' experiences and opinions reagarding the factors that affect forming a TA with patients who suffer from Anorexia Nervosa, specifically those who also suffer from comorbidity with one or more disorder.
Patients with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) have long had a reputation as being difficult for clinicians to treat. It is assumed that among the factors that contribute to this difficulty is the challenge therapists face when trying to form a Theraputic Alliance (TA) with AN patients. Among the reasons that might contribute to this challenge is that AN patients are often diagnosed with comorbidity with one or more disorders (i.e Major Depression, OCD, Personality Disorders, etc.). Previous studies have shown that therapists often experience strong negative feelings when dealing with comorbidity among AN patients (specifically with personality disorders).
My thesis will focus on therapists' experiences and opinions reagarding the factors that affect forming a TA with patients who suffer from Anorexia Nervosa, specifically those who also suffer from comorbidity with one or more disorder.
Hagar Lev Ari
Ph. D . An M.A student of the Clinical Psychology program,Bar Ilan University.
Studies reveal therapists face substantial difficulties forming therapeutic alliances (TA) with those suffering from Anorexia Nervosa (AN). While the TA is an established predictor of psychotherapy outcome and although AN therapy is associated with poor outcomes, little is known about the factors impacting the TA with patients with AN, and no dyadic or qualitative research in the subject exists. The current study aims to characterize the challenges in forming the alliance and to examine correlates of alliance development.
Studies reveal therapists face substantial difficulties forming therapeutic alliances (TA) with those suffering from Anorexia Nervosa (AN). While the TA is an established predictor of psychotherapy outcome and although AN therapy is associated with poor outcomes, little is known about the factors impacting the TA with patients with AN, and no dyadic or qualitative research in the subject exists. The current study aims to characterize the challenges in forming the alliance and to examine correlates of alliance development.
Efrat Shaked
Ph.D, Gender studies Program, Bar Ilan University
My research focuses on the perceived impact of a therapeutic running group on physical-mental experiences of women coping with incest. The study focuses on the changes in the web of relationships between the different parts of the self and the changes in the inner discourses in the context of the public discourse in Israel.
The rationale for the use of running groups as therapeutic intervention is that since the trauma occurs in the physical arena and continues to be preserved as physical symptoms, it is appropriate to treat it not only on the cognitive level as thoughts and emotions, and through emotional-verbal processing, but also through the body, and referring to physical aspects that allow rendering processes that are beyond the verbal.
My research focuses on the perceived impact of a therapeutic running group on physical-mental experiences of women coping with incest. The study focuses on the changes in the web of relationships between the different parts of the self and the changes in the inner discourses in the context of the public discourse in Israel.
The rationale for the use of running groups as therapeutic intervention is that since the trauma occurs in the physical arena and continues to be preserved as physical symptoms, it is appropriate to treat it not only on the cognitive level as thoughts and emotions, and through emotional-verbal processing, but also through the body, and referring to physical aspects that allow rendering processes that are beyond the verbal.
