Case Studies of Unorthodox Therapy of Orthodox Patients

This book presents case studies of the unconventional psychological treatment of orthodox and ultra-orthodox patients by psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric social workers and rabbis. Presenting problems treated include social phobia, obsessive-compulsive, conduct disorder, homosexuality, and severe depression, amongst others. The appendix contains three articles that deal with very sensitive and controversial issues that are highly relevant to the religious mental health practitioner - counseling homosexuals, attitudes of haredi rabbis toward psychological treatment, and cross-gender psychotherapy. The editors are hopeful that this volume will pave the way for haredi rabbis, seminary heads and arbiters to greater appreciation of the value and benefits of psychological treatment for people suffering from emotional, psychological and behavioral difficulties and disturbances. * * * Seymour Hoffman, Ph. D., is a senior clinical psychologist who worked in a variety of mental health facilities in the United States and Israel for over half a century and has published papers and books on psychotherapy in Hebrew and English. He presently works as a supervising psychologist in a mental health clinic in Bnei Brak, Israel. --- Benni Feldman, Ph.D., is a supervisor in clinical and medical psychology and in family psychotherapy and is certified in hypnosis. He is the director of the psychological services at Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot, Israel, and teaches family therapy and medical psychotherapy in the M. A. curriculum at Tel-Aviv-Yaffo Academic College. He lectures on Jewish psychology at the Hebrew University, Social Work Graduate Program, and at Beit Morasha College, and also serves as chairperson of the professional committee for medical psychology.