A three-year CBT and CPT training program led by Hebrew University and the Israeli Ministry of Health has successfully equipped over 100 public health clinicians with evidence-based tools to treat individuals with serious mental health conditions and trauma survivors. This milestone enhances mental health accessibility and builds a sustainable framework for effective mental healthcare across Israel.
This week the Hebrew University and the Israeli Ministry of Health celebrated the successful conclusion of a pioneering three-year training program with two years focused on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) followed by a year of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for public health clinicians. The program, aimed at enhancing trauma treatment across Israel, trained over 100 therapists from the public health system, including those working in HMOs’ mental health clinics.
The program, jointly managed by the Hebrew University's Center for Trauma Recovery, focused on equipping clinicians with evidence-based practices to treat serious mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, trauma and PTSD. Participants received intensive weekly supervision and follow-up support, ensuring high standards of care and sustainability within the mental health system.
Program Highlights and Impact
- Comprehensive Training: Participants completed workshops, followed by an extended period of weekly supervision on the application of the method in treating trauma survivors.
- Evidence-Based Practices: The program emphasized CBT and CPT, internationally recognized as effective treatments for serious mental conditions and trauma.
- Wide Reach: Therapists trained under the program are expected to treat hundreds of individuals with serious mental health conditions, including trauma survivors, in the coming years, providing short-term treatment and significantly reducing long wait times for mental health services.
- Sustainability: The program developed expert Israeli trainers and supervisors to ensure long-term integration of best practices into Israel's public health system.
Remarks from the Minister of Health Uriel Buso, at the Closing Conference
"Respected participants, the training program you have completed focuses on advanced treatments utilizing CBT and CPT methods. It stands as a prime example of in-depth cooperation between academia, the public health system, and clinical practice. This collaboration, spearheaded by Prof. Jonathan Huppert, Dr. Gilad Bodenheimer, and Yonatan Amster from the Ministry of Health, alongside the leaders of mental health systems within the health insurance funds, exemplifies the seamless integration of research, clinical knowledge, and practical implementation in public clinics and hospitals.
The final year of this program unfolded amidst the challenges of the October 7th attacks and ongoing wartime conditions, making trauma treatment training more urgent and impactful than ever. This initiative forms a cornerstone of the National Mental Health Program, which aims to fortify Israel’s mental health system, particularly by increasing the number of therapists available in community clinics."
Testimonial from a Program Participant
"Prof. Huppert, as we conclude these three transformative years, I want to express my gratitude. This project has been truly remarkable—I’ve gained so much from it! We now have a cohesive and highly professional clinical CBT team, even drawing interest from psychodynamic colleagues, who now want to learn from us. We’ve established a sustainable framework within the clinic, integrating focused and short-term therapy into our daily practices, and we are already seeing numerous patients benefit. Your investment, dedication, and professionalism have shone through at every stage. Thank you so much for everything!"
Conference Highlights
The closing conference gathered key stakeholders, including Dr. Gilad Bodenheimer, Director of the Mental Health Division at the Ministry of Health; Dr. Danny Derby, chief psychologists from health funds; program supervisors; and therapists from various health funds.
The event featured a congratulatory video from Prof. Patricia Resick from Duke University, the global pioneer of the CPT method. Additionally, a remote lecture on CPT research innovations was delivered by Dr. Katie Dondanville, Director of Strong Star and a major collaborator of the training program. Ms. Leah Peskin, the first donor to the Center for Trauma Recovery and a strong advocate for expanding CBT treatments for trauma in Israel’s public health system, also extended her support via Zoom.
Professor Jonathan Huppert, Director of the Center for Trauma Recovery at Hebrew University, emphasized the program's lasting impact: "This training initiative marks a significant milestone in improving the accessibility and quality of trauma care in Israel. By empowering clinicians with cutting-edge tools, we aim to create a sustainable and adaptive system to meet the growing needs of trauma survivors. I would like to thank my colleagues at the Ministry of Health for their close collaboration and the shared path we have been walking together for almost a decade"
Further trainings and supervision are already underway, and there are plans to expand the training program in 2025. Additional cohorts will include advanced methodologies and specialized training in grief and loss, developed in collaboration with international experts. The program also aims to integrate digital tools, such as a culturally adapted app for CPT, into the public health system.
The Center for Trauma Recovery continues to lead the way in addressing the mental health challenges faced by Israel, ensuring trauma survivors receive the care and support they need. In addition to the extensive training program, at the Center for Trauma Recovery is working on developing an app that will enable self-treatment using CPT, as well as working on a campaign to raise public awareness about PTSD treatment with evidence-based methods.
For a century, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has been a beacon for visionary minds who challenge norms and shape the future. Founded by luminaries like Albert Einstein, who entrusted his intellectual legacy to the university, it is dedicated to advancing knowledge, fostering leadership, and promoting diversity. Home to over 23,000 students from 90 countries, the Hebrew University drives much of Israel’s civilian scientific research, with over 11,000 patents and groundbreaking contributions recognized by eight Nobel Prizes, two Turing Awards, and a Fields Medal. Ranked 81st globally by the Shanghai Ranking (2024), it celebrates a century of excellence in research, education, and innovation. To learn more about the university’s academic programs, research, and achievements, visit the official website at http://new.huji.ac.il/en.
The Center for Trauma Recovery, together with the Ministry of Health and both local and international partners, continues to lead the way in addressing the mental health challenges faced by Israel, ensuring individuals receive the care and support they need.