Yehuda Bergman, PhD, RDT
Yehuda is the creator of “TikkunTrauma Therapy,” a three stage treatment approach utilizing Expressive Therapy modalities to facilitate the healing process for trauma survivors. He received a B.A. in Theatre Directing and Drama Training in 1985 from Kibbutzim College in Tel Aviv Israel. In 1987 he graduated from the Expressive Therapies program at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts where he majored in Psychodrama and Drama Therapy. During this time under the guidance of Johnathan Fox, the founder of Playback Theatre, he acquired training and extensive experience working with adolescent and young adult trauma survivors.
In 1991, Yehuda went back to Israel, where he was one of the pioneers to first introduce and develop the use Expressive Therapies as an effective and advanced form of therapy in clinical and educational institutions. He was invited to work at a mental health center for veterans where he directed a Drama Therapy and Psychodrama group for former combat soldiers with PTSD. He also provided services for the Israeli Department of Education, working with children exposed to domestic violence. In addition to a thriving private practice in Tel Aviv, he formed the first Israeli “playback” Theatre Troop, serving as its director. As he conducted workshops for professionals and audience members around the country, he began researching the benefits of incorporating the Expressive Therapies and Playback theatre into trauma treatment. He also initiated and led the Drama Therapy training program at Beit BerlCollege in central Israel.
After spending 4 years working in the UK, Yehuda moved with his family to the Jerusalem area where he started a new private practice working with children, adolescents, couples, adults and groups. His areas of specialization include: survivors and perpetrators of emotional, sexual and physical abuse; substance abuse; co-dependency; eating disorders; anxiety; depression; dissociation and stress management. He also supervised students and mental health professionals.
Four years ago, he started the first Expressive Therapies training program for religious students. This is a three year post BA program offered at Michlala Yerushalayim- The Jerusalem College. The program attracted numerous students training in the fields of Art Therapy, Psychodrama, Music Therapy and Movement Therapy.
Most recently, Yehuda moved to Baltimore where he started a private practice and facilitates therapy groups for trauma survivors under the auspices of the Shofar Coalition.
