At Medabrim BeYahad, clinical practice is grounded in an evidence-based framework and closely integrated with ongoing research. Led by Dr. Tahli Frenkel at the Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology at Reichman University, our translational approach ensures that the latest scientific insights inform our therapeutic practices.

Translational Approach: By adopting a structured yet flexible methodology, we design, implement, and rigorously evaluate therapeutic programs, iterating quickly to optimize outcomes. This translational approach fosters an ongoing dialogue between research and practice, ensuring that our treatments remain both innovative and highly effective. Importantly, research at Medabrim BeYahad not only focuses on evaluating therapeutic outcomes but also aims to deepen our understanding of the developmental mechanisms and factors that drive intervention-related change. We strive to explore not only what works and what doesn’t, but also investigate who benefits most from our interventions and how these changes occur, enabling us to continuously refine and tailor our programs to meet individual needs while adapting to evolving circumstances. Finally, we examine the feasibility and scalability of both our intervention initiatives and our training programs, ensuring ongoing quality control.

Preliminary Findings: Initial analyses indicate high feasibility (protocol completion) and acceptability (parent-reported satisfaction with the treatment). Significant improvements are observed in targeted outcomes, including reductions in children’s symptoms and enhanced parent self-efficacy. Furthermore, findings demonstrate changes in parenting strategies aimed at helping children cope with potentially traumatic events and these appear to be associated with improvements in child symptoms. Additional analyses will identify key moderators and mediators of change.  Importantly, our data show that although many parents continue to experience significant post-traumatic symptoms themselves, and are enduring ongoing stressful circumstances due to prolonged war-related stress and displacement, the therapy effectively enhances their capacity to provide emotional support for their children, even amidst their own psychological distress.

Informing policy: Our research program provides insights that inform policy recommendations, particularly in the area of short-term trauma treatment for infants, young children, and their caregivers, promoting evidence-based strategies that address both immediate and long-term needs. Through this integrated, research-driven approach, Medabrim BeYahad is positioned at the forefront of innovative clinical practice and policy development.

 

***For more information on research at Medabrim Beyahad you are welcome to contact Dr. Tahli Frenkel at tahl.frenkel@runi.ac.il