About Us

 

Medabrim BeYahad is a non-profit organization that was established in the aftermath of the October 7th attacks by a psychologist who specializes in trauma therapy for young children to provide for the immediate needs of children in the Gaza envelope region who were exposed to severe trauma that day.

Since October 7th, the organization has provided more than 5,000 hours of therapy to approximately 1,000 families from the Gaza envelope region. The organization continues to provide for evacuees from the Gaza envelope and other regions of the country, as well as residents of Sderot and Ofakim.

Medabrim BeYahad provides emergency therapeutic intervention that is specifically geared toward young children (0-8 years old). The trauma-focused intervention strengthens attachment between parents and children and gives parents and children the tools to conduct an emotional dialogue about their harsh experiences and enable them to process their experiences and difficult emotions with their parents.

From October-December 2023, Medabrim BeYahad provided for the acute and immediate needs of about 740 families, including roughly 2,000 children who were adversely impacted by the October 7th attacks. 71% of Medabrim BeYahad’s clients are 8 years old and younger, and 26% of Medabrim BeYahad’s clients are 9-14 years old. The first stage of intervention consisted of short-term, immediate, family-based intervention.

Beginning in January 2024, Medabrim BeYahad began the second phase of intervention, which includes a 12-part therapeutic treatment protocol for children 8 years old and younger who suffer from trauma-related distress. This second phase was developed in light of the acute need for additional focused professional intervention expressed by both families and therapists. The program is conducted in conjunction with resilience centers in the cities of Sderot and Ofakim, and in the Eshkol, Sha’ar Hanegev, and Sdot Negev regions.

Target population: Children 8 years old and younger from the Gaza envelope, Sderot, and Ofakim who are in distress in the aftermath of the October 7th attacks.