About Rivi
Hi! I am a licensed clinical social worker (MSW) in Israel where I have lived with my family for almost 40 years. I have trained as a family and child therapist and work in family clinics with parents and families, as well as with individuals in private practice. In addition to working with individuals with histories of childhood trauma, many years of my own family relationships have deepened my understanding of how family systems function and how those relationships impact on our lives. ​​
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In addition to my MSW, I have participated in many trainings which have impacted on my work.
These include AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy), CPP (child-parent psychotherapy), DDP (dyadic developmental psychotherapy) and other dyadic trainings.
I have spent many years teaching marriage and relationship skills (based on the Gottman approach) to partners and couples. The common theme in all of my trainings is the relational aspect of the work. Whether the relationship is with oneself or with others, relationships are the core of our lives. We engage in these relationships based on ways in which we were raised and learned to see the world. Training with Amanda Curtin in her RRP method of childhood trauma recovery work has reinforced and deepened this understanding.
I earned my BA degree from Barnard College in New York City in psychology and dance with the intention of becoming a movement therapist. After doing an internship in a psychiatric hospital and then moving to Israel, I gravitated to the field of adult education. Again, what interested and attracted me most was the area of relationships. Those were the courses I taught and what I discussed most with my students.
Immigrating to another country where I live and work in a language other than my mother tongue, has offered me a wide range of cultural experiences. I meet and work with individuals and families from cultures and backgrounds different to my own, which enriches my work and my life.
Education, Trainings and Work Experience
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B.A. Psychology and Dance, Barnard College/Columbia University, N.Y.C, U.S.A.
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MSW Social Work, Long Island University,U.S.A.
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Certification in: Mental Health and Family Studies;
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Counseling and Family Therapy, Two Year Clinical Training-Children's Unit, The Family Institute, Jerusalem, Israel
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Founder/Facilitator: Marriage Appreciation Program:
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Relationship skills program for couples
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AEDP immersion course
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DDP dyadic parent-child therapy training
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RRP childhood trauma training
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CPP childhood trauma training
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Therapist working with parents and families in family clinics in Jerusalem
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Private practice working with individuals, couples, parents and children
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Clinical supervisor for social work students​
My Approach
Working with individuals and families is a great privilege. The opportunity to travel with others on the journey to improve the quality of their lives and relationships is a collaborative effort and I partner with my clients in this endeavor. My clients continue to inspire me with their courage and determination.
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As a therapist trained to work with parents, children and families, I deeply appreciate that our relationships are the most powerful influences upon us. Attachment theory has taught me about the importance of early bonds between parents and children and provided a better understanding of both the potential and the wounding that can occur as those bonds develop. Dyadic work with parents and children has deepened that awareness and given me an appreciation of the possibility for strengthening and repairing those relationships at different stages.
Brave individuals seek out therapy to feel better and find relief for the challenges of life. ​
I found both on a professional and a personal level, that insight is not enough to create the desired change. I was introduced to RRP: Relationship Recovery Program, developed by Amanda Curtin, through Patrick Teahan. (Check out Patrick's website and you tube channel). Childhood trauma can take many forms. We know there are capitol T traumas, the major and more recognized traumas, such as physical, sexual abuse, abandonment, substance abuse, mental disability, severe neglect, etc. and the small t traumas, which include situations where a child's needs were not met in a good enough way. RRP provides tools to explore the ways in which any of these experiences continue to impact on our current functioning.
Exploring these traumas and creating a relationship with our inner child through RRP, is a powerful program. It builds connection with our inner child and strengthens our inner adult. While the work is challenging, it enables us to have corrective experiences and recover from childhood trauma. Utilizing RRP in my work has enabled me to bring greater insight and foster change in the lives of those I work with.
"Only when I make room for the voice of the child within me do I feel myself to be genuine and creative"
Alice Miller, The Drama of the Gifted Child