Understanding Depression in the Jewish Community

Hello and welcome to our dedicated space for discussing and addressing depression within the Jewish community. Our site features a diverse range of professionals, therapists, and content focused on combating and understanding depression in the Jewish community.

Unique Challenges of Depression in the Jewish Community

When individuals within the Jewish community experience depression, which is often shaped by distinct cultural and religious factors, it represents a specific category of challenges faced by this group. Stigma, spiritual struggles, family dynamics, and community expectations are all examples of factors that can influence the experience of depression in the Jewish community. Often, cultural and religious factors play a role in how depression is perceived and addressed. It can impact individuals' emotional well-being, social functioning, and sense of connection to their Jewish identity.

Watch the videos below to gain insights from Jewish mental health professionals, therapists, and advocates. These resources offer extensive knowledge on addressing depression within the Jewish community, providing expert guidance and culturally sensitive techniques.

Professionals Who Specialize in Depression

Bassy (Batya) Schwartz, LMFT

Therapist, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT

  • In-office Cedarhurst, NY
  • $250 - $300 Per Session
  • I accept insurance

Batya Schwartz, LMFT, creates an atmosphere that balances professionalism with a personal touch, creating a comfortable and genuine connection between us.


"My therapeutic approach is rooted in several key principles: 1. Genuine Connection: We have a unique opportunity here, in the therapeutic space, to share and connect authentically, which is often scary or impossible in the "real world". You …

  • πŸ’™ Warm
  • πŸ˜ƒ Humorous
  • πŸ₯‡ Empowering
  • 🀝 Collaborative

Anna Sherman, MFT

Therapist, Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT, RP, MA

  • In-office Toronto
  • $170 - $190 Per Session

Anna Sherman, MFT helps clients to overcome trauma, work through fears and emotional blocks in their lives, and empower them to help them help themselves.


"I guide clients on their journey of healing and overcoming trauma, while also helping them navigate fears and emotional blocks within their lives and relationships. My goal is to empower clients to become their own advocates, providing them …

  • 🎯 Direct
  • πŸ’™ Warm
  • πŸ˜ƒ Humorous
  • πŸ‘‚ Listener

Danielle Taylor, LMHC

Therapist, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, LMHC

  • Remote only
  • $200 - $200 Per Session

Danielle Taylor, LMHC, incorporates CBT, ACT, and psychodynamic therapy. For couples, she specializes in the Gottman Method & more to fortify relationship dynamics.


"My mission is to help people build lasting, healthy, and fulfilling relationshipsβ€”whether with a friend, a spouse, a future partner, or even with themselves. I believe true well-being is more than just how we feel day to dayβ€”it’s …

  • πŸ’™ Warm
  • πŸ’‘ Solution-oriented
  • πŸ₯‡ Empowering
  • 🀝 Collaborative

Miriam Mackay, LCSW

Therapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

  • In-office Howell, NJ
  • $200 Per Session

Miriam Mackay, LCSW, uses IFS, somatic therapy & TF-CBT to treat trauma, anxiety & more, to support healing through a collaborative approach.


"My approach is grounded in being deeply client-centered. I believe that each person brings a unique inner wisdom to the healing process, and I aim to create a space where clients feel safe, seen, and empowered to move …

  • πŸ˜ƒ Humorous
  • πŸ₯‡ Empowering
  • πŸ’­ Open minded
  • 🀝 Collaborative

Mordy Lyss, LCMFT, CHT

Therapist, Licensed Clinical Marriage & Family Therapist

  • Remote only
  • $120 - $140 Per Session
  • I accept insurance

Yisroel (Mordy) Lyss, LMFT adopts a flexible & integrative approach drawing from client-centered, psychodynamic, relational, CBT, EMDR, and mindfulness modalities.


"In alignment with Irvin Yalom's insight, I believe that therapy should prioritize the therapeutic relationship above theoretical frameworks. Understanding that each individual's journey is inherently unique, I adopt a flexible and integrative approach to therapy. Drawing from client-centered, …

  • 🎯 Direct
  • πŸ’™ Warm
  • πŸ˜ƒ Humorous
  • πŸ‘‚ Listener

Moses Appel, PhD

Therapist, Doctor of Psychology, Ph.D.

  • In-office Brooklyn, NY
  • $150 - $350 Per Session

Moses Appel, PhD, draws from CBT, ACT, and DBT to support individuals in their journey toward improved mental health and overall well-being.


"At ADO Psychology Center, our approach is deeply rooted in compassion and evidence-based methods that foster personal growth and recovery. We draw from a evidence-based modalities, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior …

  • 🎯 Direct
  • πŸ’™ Warm
  • 🀝 Collaborative

Fayga Zellermaier, LMSW

Therapist, Licensed Master Social Worker: IN PERSON SESSIONS ONLY

  • In-office Brooklyn, NY
  • I accept insurance

Fayga Zellermaier, LMSW, uses an integrative approach, including CBT, DBT, IFS, & more to help her clients find immediate relief & create lasting change.


"I use an integrative approach, weaving together multiple modalities to create a uniquely tailored experience for each individual. My extensive training includes CBT, DBT, IFS, and ACT, as well as utilization of psychodynamic therapy, motivational interviewing, and play …

  • πŸ’™ Warm
  • πŸ’ͺ Challenging
  • 🎨 Creative

Lynn Zakeri, LCSW

Therapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW

  • In-office Skokie, IL
  • $175 - $250 Per Session

Lynn Zakeri, LCSW's style is characterized by a solution-focused approach, delving into coping mechanisms and strategies that can be applied in your daily life.


"One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is my ability to establish meaningful connections and cultivate a warm therapeutic relationship, even with those who may initially feel apprehensive. I have witnessed the positive impact this connection can …

  • 🎯 Direct
  • πŸ’™ Warm
  • πŸ‘‚ Listener
  • πŸ₯‡ Empowering

Alla R Shapiro, LMHC-D, LPC

Therapist, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor

  • In-office Livingston, NJ
  • $200 - $300 Per Session

Alla Shapiro, LMHC aims to facilitate growth in a safe & nurturing environment through a journey that may challenge you, enlighten you, & empower you.


"In my approach to therapy, I place a strong emphasis on building authentic, relational connections with the individuals I work with. Establishing a genuine bond is one of my specialties, and it forms the foundation of our therapeutic …

  • 🎯 Direct
  • πŸ’ͺ Challenging
  • πŸ™Œ Affirming
  • 🌎 Holistic

Team Care

You need someone on your team.

Team Care is an outpatient clinic that provides in-home services for individuals ages 5-21, which are fully covered by insurance through Perform Care.


"TeamCare NJ provides Intensive In-Community (IIC) services, a short-term clinical intervention program for children and adolescents aged 5 to 21 who experience mental health or behavioral challenges. Key aspects of this program include: Licensed Therapists: Skilled clinicians with …

  • πŸ’™ Warm
  • πŸ’‘ Solution-oriented
  • πŸ₯‡ Empowering
  • 🌎 Holistic

Rachy Friedlander, Somatic Coach

Emotions Master Coach/TEB Practitioner

  • In-office Lakewood, NJ
  • $180 - $325 Per Session

Rachy Friedlander is a somatic coach who employs psychodrama, IFS, Transforming Touch, meditation, Breathwork, yoga, and more in her profound work with clients.


"My coaching approach is deeply influenced by my exploration of emotional healing through the spiritual lenses of Kabbalah and Chassidus. Each session is approached intuitively, drawing from a diverse toolbox that includes modalities such as psychodrama, IFS (Internal …

  • πŸ’™ Warm
  • πŸ‘‚ Listener
  • πŸ’‘ Solution-oriented
  • 🧘 Calm

Becky Fenton, PsyD

Therapist, Doctor of Psychology, PsyD

  • In-office West Hempstead, NY
  • $300 - $350 Per Session

Becky Fenton, PsyD, seamlessly integrates CBT, DBT, psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness, executive function coaching & more to effectively support her clients.


"In my therapeutic approach, I seamlessly integrate proven methodologies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, psychodynamic and relational therapy, Mindfulness Training, and executive function coaching. This eclectic blend allows me to effectively support …

  • 🎯 Direct
  • πŸ’™ Warm
  • πŸ’‘ Solution-oriented
  • πŸ₯‡ Empowering

The Pesach Blues...

The Pesach Blues... by Fayga Zellermaier, LMSW, Licensed Master Social Worker: IN PERSON SESSIONS ONLY

While for some, Pesach and religious holidays are the highlight of the year, for others, these times can be quite challenging.  Whatever your experience, whether anticipating eagerly or dreading anxiously,…

Full Article

The Ocean of Mood Episodes

The Ocean of Mood Episodes by Ari Daniels, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, PMHNP-BC

Episodic mood illness represents a spectrum of conditions that are highly treatable yet often go misdiagnosed—it can take patients up to 9 years to get properly diagnosed, in fact. Much…

Full Article

Shifting Gears

Shifting Gears by Ari Daniels, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, PMHNP-BC

The Mental Health Crisis Crisis We are in the midst of a mental health crisis—crisis. It’s hard to know where to begin when I find myself in a field with…

Full Article

Understanding People-Pleasing as a Trauma Wound

People-pleasing is a behavior that many individuals exhibit, often to the detriment of their own well-being. At its core, people-pleasing involves prioritizing others’ needs and feelings over one’s own, often…

Full Article

The Influence of Ancestry on Partner Selection: Healing Unhealthy Patterns

When we think about our choice of partners, it’s easy to focus solely on personal preferences and individual experiences. However, a deeper layer of our partner selection may be rooted…

Full Article

Healing Transgenerational Trauma Through Somatic Experiencing

Transgenerational trauma, the emotional and psychological scars passed down from one generation to another, can profoundly affect individuals and families. This phenomenon often manifests in anxiety, depression, and unhealthy relationship…

Full Article

Struggling with Depression? Discover the Hidden Causes Behind Your Emotional Pain.

Many people ask what causes depression or deep sadness. Depression is a symptom experienced by many, stemming from a variety of underlying issues. Similar to how a fever signals a…

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What's a life coach doing on a therapy website?

BS"D You might wonder what a life coach is doing on a therapy website. After all, if you've read the magazines you have read that life coaches are uncertified, unsupervised,…

Full Article

Understanding and Addressing Depression within the Jewish Community

Depression is a pressing concern across various communities, with the Jewish community facing its own specific obstacles. While the broader understanding of depression exists, the intricacies of cultural norms, religious practices, and community dynamics within the Jewish community add layers of complexity. Depression within the Jewish community can affect individuals regardless of age, gender, or background, highlighting the need for awareness and targeted interventions.

Strategies for Addressing Depression in the Jewish Community

Effective support and treatment for Jewish individuals experiencing depression necessitate approaches that are culturally and religiously attuned. This encompasses therapy that respects religious beliefs and cultural practices, community support networks that provide a sense of belonging and understanding, and accessible mental health resources. Tailored therapies and interventions are developed to address the specific facets of depression within the Jewish community. It's crucial to seek professional guidance to navigate these challenges effectively, ensuring a path towards healing and improved mental well-being. It's important to note that our professionals are experts in their fields, bringing both specialized knowledge and a deep understanding of cultural nuances to their work

Our directory features professionals, including Therapists, Psychiatrists & Coaches, who offer culturally sensitive support for those navigating Depression within the Jewish community.

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