Telehealth Available
Credentials
Type of Therapist:
Individual and Couples Therapist

Intimacy Counselor

Primary Degree(s):
MA, MSW
Finances
Average Cost Per Session:
350-500 NIS
Insurance:
None
Discounts Available:
Sliding Scale | Student Discount | Lone Soldier Discount
Office
  • Nachal Dolev 15
  • Ramat Bet Shemesh
Telehealth Available

Abby Weisz Verified Verified

Credentials
Type of Therapist:

Individual and Couples Therapist

Intimacy Counselor

Primary Degree(s):

MA, MSW

Finances
Average Cost Per Session:

350-500 NIS

Insurance:

None

Discounts Available:

Sliding Scale | Student Discount | Lone Soldier Discount

Office
  • Nachal Dolev 15
  • Ramat Bet Shemesh

ABOUT

Only YOU can affect change in your life. I work as an individual psychotherapist and as an intimacy counselor and educator in order to assist and support you on your personal journey. I come from a strength based perspective and try to understand with you, how to utilize your strengths and challenges to your advantage in your life. I employ a range of diverse therapeutic modalities, based on your comfort zone and the approach that works for you. In essence, we work as a team, guiding each other on the topic of YOU. Sexuality and Intimacy have become a focus in my work due to the understanding that in today's day and age, there is much talk surrounding 'sexuality' but there are not many clear avenues to address the issues, specifically within in the Orthodox/ Dati community. I do a lot of intimacy education, developing healthy and positive messages about the body, pleasure, and intimate relations. Primarily couples come in together, but there is the option for one on one work as well. Often, the couple not only gains insight into their intimate life, but also into the dynamics of their emotional relationship. The two are inherently linked. In couple's work, we develop the ability to hear each other and understand each other's needs; both physical and emotional. We understand together how the two are connected and effect one another in the day to day of relationships. Often, the physical challenges a couple faces mirror certain challenges in the emotional relationship as well. I am also able to address specific challenges in intimacy that an individual or couple may be facing. Sexual Orientation: Sexuality is complex for most individuals. I have experience in navigating the challenges faced by one who is struggling with gender identity, or sexual identity. No judgement, and with full acceptance. I work with couples across the age range, religious spectrum and range of sexual orientation. I truly believe in people's capacity to evolve and make changes in their life. It requires fortitude and determination for an individual or a couple to go to therapy AND to do the work required to make those changes. After meeting three times, together we create a series of goals based on your needs. Sex therapy in particular requires a series of 'at home requirements'. We track the progress of the goals at a pace that works for you (and your partner). The work is not always easy, but from what I have seen, it is always worth it. And to that end, I look forward to meeting you. Please learn more about me on my website.

QUALIFICATIONS

Degree
Education
Year of Graduation

MSW, MA

Fordham Graduate School of Social Service

2005


Degree
MSW, MA

Education
Fordham Graduate School of Social Service

Year of Graduation
2005
Years in Practice

16

Learn more about GHI's verification of therapists here.

ADDITIONAL CREDENTIALS

Certificate Training in Individual and Family Therapy - 2015
Bar Ilan Sex Therapy Certification - 2017

DISTANCE COUNSELING

Online Therapy

PRIMARY SPECIALTIES

Couples / Relationship / Marriage Counseling

Depression

Gender Identity Concerns

Sex Therapy

Sexual Abuse / Rape

ADDITIONAL SPECIALTIES

Domestic Violence

Family Issues

Infertility

Life Transitions

Parenting Issues / Training

Postpartum Depression

Self-Esteem

Trauma / Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD

CLIENT FOCUS

Population

Adults
Couples
Families
LGBTQ
Men
Women

Languages

Hebrew
English

TREATMENT APPROACH

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on how one's thoughts, feelings and behaviors are connected and can be changed. It is based on the idea that how we think (cognition) and how we feel (emotion) can influence how we behave. CBT helps people identify and challenge distorted thinking and replace it with more balanced thinking, leading to improved mood and behavior. ‘Homework’, usually containing practical writing exercises, is often completed by the client between sessions to reinforce the therapy. Examples of tools that practitioners often use are journaling, challenging beliefs, and mindfulness.

Collaborative Couple Therapy (CCT)CCT practitioners view conflicts as conversation starters and a way to foster intimacy between partners. Practitioners assert that relational conflict happens when partners are unable to express their true thoughts and feelings. This may lead them to act in ways that hurt their partner, for example, acting in an ‘adversarial’ or ‘withdrawn’ way. The goal of the therapy is to help partners shift into a more collaborative way to solve problems and therefore improve their relationship. The therapist works to create a safe and supportive environment where each partner can openly express their feelings and concerns, while also addressing any areas of conflict. Collaborative couple therapy focuses on understanding the perspectives of both partners, exploring the needs of each partner, and developing positive communication and problem-solving skills. This approach also emphasizes the development of trust, understanding, and mutual respect within the relationship.

Family Systems TherapyFamily Systems Therapy is an approach to psychotherapy that emphasizes the importance of understanding how the family functions as a whole, and how individual family members interact and affect one another. It focuses on how family dynamics, such as communication patterns, roles, and power dynamics, shape behavior, and how changing these dynamics can lead to positive change. Family Systems Therapy is a collaborative approach, where the therapist works with the family as a whole to identify and address areas of conflict and distress.

Holistic PsychotherapyHolistic psychotherapy emphasizes the individual's interconnectedness between the individual's physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects and views them as inseparable components of a single holistic system. Holistic psychotherapy focuses on understanding how these components interact and affect a person’s wellbeing. The goal of holistic psychotherapy is to create a sense of wholeness and harmony within the individual, and to foster self-awareness and self-care. Holistic practitioners use a variety of approaches, including traditional talk therapy, mindfulness practices, and body-based therapies like movement therapy. They also may incorporate nutrition, physical activity, and other lifestyle factors into treatment plans.

Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT)IRT focuses on helping couples identify and address their unconscious patterns of behavior that contribute to conflict and dissatisfaction in the relationship. IRT also emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and validation in healing past wounds and creating a more positive and fulfilling relationship. IRT helps couples develop communication skills and a deeper understanding of each other's needs and feelings.
Through Imago Therapy, couples will be able to explore their communication patterns, discover sources of conflict, and create new ways of connecting with each other that build empathy and understanding. The therapist will also work with the couple to create a vision for their relationship and set realistic goals for how to achieve it. This therapy helps couples to develop better communication, trust, and intimacy, as well as providing hope for the future of their relationship.

Narrative TherapyNarrative therapy is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on the stories, or narratives, of a person's life in order to help them gain insights into their situation and develop skills to make positive changes. It is based on the idea that people construct their own stories and meanings to make sense of their lives and experiences. It emphasizes the strengths, values, and skills of the person, while also exploring the influences of culture and context on their life. Narrative therapy seeks to empower individuals by helping them to identify and use their inner resources to overcome challenges and create positive change.

Psychodynamic TherapyPsychodynamic therapy is a form of therapy that focuses on the unconscious mind and how it affects behavior. It works to help people understand and work through past experiences and feelings that may be causing difficulties in the present. This type of therapy encourages individuals to explore their emotions, relationships, and behaviors in order to gain insight into their current difficulties. It can help individuals better understand themselves and their motivations, and gain insight into how past events have impacted their current lives. People tend to develop defense mechanisms when faced with challenges in life. Defense mechanisms may keep painful feelings, memories, and experiences in the unconscious. A few common defense mechanisms include: denial, repression, and rationalization. Psychodynamic therapists encourage people to speak freely about their emotions, desires, and fears. Being open may help uncover vulnerable feelings that have been pushed out of conscious awareness. According to psychodynamic theory, behavior is influenced by unconscious thought. Once painful feelings are brought forth and processed, the defense mechanisms are no longer needed and a person in treatment can start changing unhelpful patterns when coping with life’s challenges.

Systems Theory / TherapySystems therapy is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on understanding how people's behavior is affected by their relationships with others. This form of therapy is based on the idea that the individual is embedded within a larger system, such as a family unit or work environment, and that changes to that system can cause changes in an individual's behavior. Systems therapy emphasizes the importance of understanding how these systems interact and how they can be changed to improve the individual's mental health. The therapist works to identify patterns of behavior in the system, identify areas of conflict or stress, and help the individuals develop strategies to make changes within the system that will lead to healthier outcomes.

Strengths BAsed Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness, Couples Therapy, Sex Therapy

SERVICES OFFERED

Individual Therapy
Couples Therapy