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Therapeutic Programs for
Complex Trauma
in Israel
All artwork on this site was created by clients in Alumah Groups
Trauma creates change you don't choose.
Healing is about creating change
you do choose.
Michele Rosenthal
Our Story
This program was born out of many years of work with clients who have experienced complex trauma (trauma that occurred over an extended period of time). In work with these clients, therapy often ends up focusing on the "crisis of the week," and little time is left to develop emotional regulation skills or to process the underlying trauma. The irony, of course, is that it's the lack of skills and unprocessed trauma that cause there to always be a "crisis of the week."
Therapy then becomes a holding pattern, likely preventing the client from getting worse, but not exactly helping them to get better.
Many trauma survivors:
- need more than therapy, but less than day treatment.
- need care that is compatible with their daily lives, including working, studying, or caring for their families.
- need trauma-sensitive care that will provide a safe space for healing.
- need a community, so they don’t have to heal in isolation.
If you, a loved one, or a client may benefit from this approach, we invite you to contact us. We will be happy to consult with you and see if Alumah is a good fit.
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At any given moment,
you have the power to say:
this is not how the story is going to end.
Christine Mason Miller
Our Programs
Phase One Flexible Intensive
Alumah's Phase One is a twelve week program for people already in individual therapy. The program includes:
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Weekly DBT Skills Group
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Weekly Expressive Arts Therapy Group
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Weekly Trauma Sensitive Yoga Group
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Bi-weekly Individual Meetings with the Clinical Director ​
The entire staff of the program meets weekly, in addition to maintaining regular contact with the client's individual therapist, in order to provide truly integrated care. Together with our staff, clients can design their own programs, choosing to participate in one, two, or all three groups according to their needs.
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In order to be eligible for the Phase One program, clients:
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Have a history of Complex Trauma, and trauma-related or concurrent diagnoses and difficulties with emotional regulation.
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Are currently in therapy with a licensed therapist and under the care of a psychiatrist if necessary, both of whom are committed to collaborating with Alumah.
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Are not currently actively suicidal or otherwise in need of inpatient medical care.
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Are currently in a stable living situation.
Continuing Community
Alumah's Continuing Community groups are open to people who have completed the Phase One program (and still meet the criteria to be eligible for Phase One) and would like to continue the therapeutic growth and community that Alumah provides.
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Continuing Community group meet weekly.
We are currently accepting applications for the following program:
Flexible Intensive Program
Who:
Women Ages 18+
​Dates:
May 4, 2025- July 23, 2025
Location:
Jerusalem and Bet Shemesh
​Language:
English
​Schedule:
See Flyer
​Cost:
(Prices include check in meetings with Clinical Director)
One Group
NIS 4,000
Two Groups
NIS 7600 (5% Discount)
Three Groups
NIS 10,800 (10% Discount)
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Trauma isolates; the group restores a sense of belonging. Trauma dehumanizes; the group restores humanity.
Judith Lewis Herman
Our Team
The Alumah team is comprised of professionals who are highly skilled and experienced, and are committed to providing our clients with trauma-informed care.
Miriam Ciner Friedman, MSW
Clinical Director and Founder
Miriam recieved her Master's in Social Work from Yeshiva University and completed post-graduate training in trauma therapy at the Israel Center for the Treatment of Psychotrauma. She has served as Executive Director of Magen and as a Clinical Supervisor at Crossroads Jerusalem.
In addition to directing Alumah, Miriam works with trauma survivors, among others, in her private practice in Bet Shemesh.
Leah Gottlieb, MSW
DBT Group Leader
Leah received her Master's in Social Work from Hebrew University with a specialty in trauma. She was a resident therapist and group therapy facilitator at the Machon Dvir Behavioral Institute for four years and served as a clinical social worker in various organizations.
She currently maintains a private practice in Jerusalem. ​
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ALUMAH
Advisory Board
Jennie Goldstein, MD
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Shira Reifman, MSW, MBA
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Roni Loeb Richter, MSW
Shira Wiesen, PhD
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Rachel Oren,
TCTSY Certified
Trauma Sensitive Yoga Facilitator
Rachel received her certification as a Facilitator of Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) at the Trauma and Embodiement Center at JRI. She specializes in helping trauma survivors safely experience, connect with, and integrate their bodies within the trauma healing journey.
Rachel works in a range of women's shelters, mental health treatment centers, and amutot serving trauma-impacted populations.
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Amir Atsmon, MA
Expressive Arts Therapist
and Phase Two Group Leader
Amir is a drama-therapist (MA from Tel-Hai Academic College) trained in somatic work and experienced in working with complex trauma.
He works with women who have C-PTSD at the "Merhavim" Psychiatric Hospital in Nes Ziona and has a private practice in Tel Aviv.
Amir also teaches and performs improvised theater and runs "Improv for Anxiety" workshops and classes.
Dr. Ethan Eisen
DBT Group Leader
Ethan is a licensed clinicial psychologist who received his PhD from George Washington University. He trained with leading DBT experts and integrates DBT into his clinical practice.
He has published research and serves as a reviewer in top academic journals related to trauma.
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Ethan currently maintains a private practice with offices in Jerusalem and Bet Shemesh.
Daniella Luden, MSW
Program Assistant
Daniella received her Master's in Social Work from Yeshiva University. She teaches meditation, runs Trauma-Informed Mindfulness and Self Regulation groups, lectures to diverse audiences, and provides psychodynamic and somatic based therapy.
She currently maintains a private practice in Jerusalem and online.
Testimonials from our Clients
Testimonial from a Therapist
I am so happy to share (with her permission) that a client of mine participated in the first Alumah group. It was an incredibly supportive and therapeutic experience for her.
The nature and facilitators of the different groups, together, offered a comprehensive therapeutic experience. And Miriam’s leadership and support throughout was instrumental in creating a genuinely trauma informed, sensitive, supportive, safe, and throughly relational experience. This is a program where every conversation inside and outside the groups was had with so much thoughtfulness. Issues that came up were dealt with carefully and respectfully.
As a therapist who works extensively with complex trauma, I have a particular appreciation for this. I’ve seen again and again how the therapeutic holding space outside of the actual group or therapy processes can be just as critical to the client’s experience. Alumah provides both.
I have no formal affiliation with Alumah. I am happy to support their work as it is simply the program my clients have been waiting for for years.
-Rikki Jacobson Davies, MSW
Founder, Center for Relational Resilience
Contact Us
We welcome all questions and are happy to consult about whether Alumah is a good match for you, or for your patient or client.
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Phone: 054-656-5182
Email: info@alumah.org