Clinicians Say
Please see the parallel Hebrew page for letters from The Israeli Society for Community Mental Health; Maccabi, Raanana; Magen (מכתב תודה למשולם גוטליב); the directors of Milam, Jerusalem and Yahel, Hadera; Hadassah Medical Center, Out-Patient Treatment for Eating Disorders at Ein Karem Hospital
Department of Psychiatry, Herzog Medical Center, Jerusalem
May 26, 2022
Dear Meshulam:
It was a great honor to meet you and hear you speak in front of our staff at Herzog hospital which included social workers, psychiatric nurses, occupational therapists, and psychiatrists on Thursday the 26th of May.
It was inspiring hearing about the educational support network for family members of people suffering from Borderline personality disorders that you brought to Israel You gave a wonderful introduction to the benefits of applying DBT therapy to the treatment plan of borderline patients. In your talk using a PowerPoint presentation, the complexities of dealing with the borderline patient were discussed. You went through the symptoms presented in patients suffering from borderline personality disorder while sharing your fascinating personal journey.
You then discussed key points of DBT therapy. We all learned a lot about this difficult syndrome and how DBT offers hope. I would highly recommend your talk to other therapists, psychiatrists, and students in the mental health field in Israel about the work you do. People suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder are (as you pointed out) one of the most challenging populations for the mental health field professional. Your talk about this syndrome and D.B.T sheds light on a way for professionals to reach these patients and effectively help them cope.
May you go from strength to strength!
Hedva Fox. M.S.W.
Coordinator of Psychiatrist Social Services
Psychiatric Department, Herzog Hospital, Jerusalem
Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, MD, Founder and Medical Director Emeritus of Gateway Rehabilitation Center a not-for-profit drug and alcohol treatment system in western Pennsylvania cited nationally as one of the 12 best drug and alcohol treatment centers by Forbes magazine
August 2019
Dear Meshulam:
I am pleased to write a letter of support for NEABPD.
Although there have been significant advances in psychiatry, there is still inadequate understanding of BPD, a condition which affects the whole family, and is sometimes as baffling to therapists as to the patient and family. BPD is generally resistant to psychopharmaceutical treatment. It has a serious impact on everyone.
The work of NEABPD to further education and to bring effective treatment to families is crucial.
May Hashem bless your efforts with success.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, MD
Professor Rael Strous, MD, Head of Psychiatry at Mayanei Hayeshua Medical Center
February 2019
As a psychiatrist, I have seen the effects of severe emotional dysregulation and Borderline Personality Disorder on a family. I whole-heartedly support the efforts of the Israeli NEABPD to advocate for the sufferers, educate the general public, and provide education, skills-training, and support to family members of sufferers. I am proud to be running for the NEABPD, Israel in this year’s Jerusalem Marathon!
Naama Eshel, MSW, Milam Jerusalem Administrator
December 2019
During 2019, we had the pleasure of co-facilitating two groups with Meshulam Gotlieb, the Executive Director and Co-founder off the Israeli NEABPD, using the NEABPD, Israel’s “Family Connections” course. The course provided the participants with knowledge of the disorder and DBT skills training designed to both help the family members cope better and more effectively identify and handle their own emotions and their loved ones.
As an evidence-based program with a focus on peer-to-peer facilitating for family members, this course fills a crucial niche for this population of family members and it could easily be adapted to a broader population. The knowledge, compassion, and enthusiasm of the NEABPD Israel’s facilitator’s are exceptional and the Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills they teach change lives.
We would be more than happy to work with the Israeli NEABPD again, hiring them as an external service provider when budgetary constraints permit.
Sincerely yours,
Naama Eshel, MSW, Milam Jerusalem
ESRA Counselling Group
January 2019
Dear Meshulam,
On behalf of all our Counselling Group I would like to thank you most sincerely for a most interesting and inspiring session on Borderline Personality Disorder.
You certainly gave us food for thought on this amazing subject.
I can’t stop thinking about it and look forward to the next two meetings.
Warmest wishes,
Susan Kurnedz
Dr. Shira Wiesen, Ph.D. (psychologist in private practice)
January 2019
I’ve worked with a few families that have gone through your group and have really benefited. It’s such an important niche you are filling.
Dr. Zippora Feuer Razin, MD (psychiatrist in private practice)
December 2019
NEAPD-Israel is an important organization for parents to know about and turn to for support. Meshulam Gotlieb thank you for bringing it to Israel and for all the important work you do with families. (Posted on Dr. Feuer Razin’s Facebook Page)
Dr. Claire Rabin, Professor of Social Work, Director Claire Rabin Institute for Couple Therapy, Ramat Hasharon
July 2018
Dear Meshulam
Again thank you for a fascinating presentation. You spoke today to the couple therapists of the “Claire Rabin Institute”. The content on borderline personality disorder (BPD) is extremely important for our work. In my opinion the field of therapy is sadly deficient in getting the information of diagnosis and treatment out to clinicians. During your presentations we shared our difficulties in dealing with this mental illness and it is reassuring to know where to turn should we encounter BPD clients in our work.
I personally am interested in continuing to learn and develop our skills in this important field. Hope to continue to collaborate with you in the future.
Gratefully
Claire Rabin
Lena Shore, B.Sc. B.Ed. M.Sc.
February 2018
Co-facilitating a Family Connections group with Meshulam was one of the highlights of my week. As a former high school teacher, I sometimes miss the stimulation and challenge of the classroom. So when, Meshulam approached me with the request to co-facilitate a group with him, I was very happy to accept. And yes I got to teach again. And yes it was enjoyable. Yet, what I came away with after our 13 weeks together was something I was not quite prepared for. I came away with a sense of profound respect and admiration for the courageous members of the group. I came away with a deeper appreciation of the skills and how effective they could be. I found myself growing both professionally with my clients and personally at home when challenges came up. I felt more effective. I felt more empowered.
I thank Meshulam for the opportunity to join Family Connections. I hope to be able to co-facilitate future groups not only for what I know I can offer the group but also for what the group offers me – a chance to build and be built. I walk away from this first experience humbled and enriched. I encourage my fellow professionals to take this opportunity if it is offered to them.
I am proud to be a member of the Family Connections team.
