THE YANAR INSTITUTE (++972) 2 6321615

TRAINING PROGRAM FOR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS

TWO YEAR PROGRAM
620 STUDY HOURS

INTRODUCTION

Public society in Israel and indeed worldwide deals constantly with serious social issues, which threaten our very stability. We are all witness to a worrying rising trend in teenage crime, violence in educational institutions, emotional and physical abuse of children by dysfunctional parents, and a rise in alcohol and substance abuse. On top of all this, the number of broken marriages and divorces has reached crisis proportions.
Many experts in the field believe that the current instability in our social framework has its source in the recent decline of the family unit, and the quality of married life in our time. Only with healthy family units can we hope to produce new generations that will heal the current downward social trends.
In addition, around the globe, and even in our communities, society has recently gone through immense changes that have impacted on family quality and its implications. The changes in husband/wife roles in and out of the house, connection to families of origin, and the changes in the education system have created new challenges, and this is without discussing immigrant families who deal daily with a constant conflict between the culture they originate from, and the host culture.
All of these factors have not completely passed over the religious community, even if our closed systems have managed to filter out many of the problems that the general society has. Additionally, the many ‘ba’alei-teshuva’ that have graced our ranks in recent decades, bring with them their own unique challenges that sometimes need specific intervention.
Many times we have found that marriage breakdowns in the religious community are left without an effective solution. This is primarily due to the lack of professional and suitable therapists from within the religious community. Unfortunately, many couples in distress turn to educators, chatan/kallah-teachers, Mashgichim and Rabbonim, when the vast majority of them have not been trained professionally, and lack the skills and tools to help these families in crisis.
The YANAR institute was set up in 1998-5758, specifically to close some of the gaps in this field, through degree and certification programs that train professional marriage and family therapists. Due to great demand we have recently opened our English department with the aim to mirror the success we have achieved in our Ivrit department, and iy"h to increase the quality of married life everywhere.

COURSE GOALS

The purpose of this course is to train men and women to be able to offer professional marriage and family counseling. The program is made up of a combination of theoretical and practical components. The course will train participants in the following subjects: preparation for marriage, direction of couples in crisis, or couples who wish to improve their marriage, how to link up with other community providers, and more. Particular emphasis will be placed on techniques for prevention of crises.

COURSE SYLLABUS

1ST YEAR: THEORETICAL STUDIES

• Theories in developmental psychology and human behavior: Life cycles from childhood till old-age
• Characteristics of stable and healthy marriages
• Transitions that occur in families, couples and marriage
• Frameworks and sub-frameworks in families: Dynamics
• Developments and challenges that can occur in married life
• Fundamentals in marriage therapy: Skills and tools to help couples grow
• Introducing couples to married life: The preventative model
• Effective communication and conflict solutions
• The religious Jewish perspective on ideal married life
• Parent/child relationships in the family unit
• Domestic violence: General orientation and therapeutic models
• Legal and professional etiquette in therapy: Legal experts, and guidance in how to write case-summaries for the Beit HaDin

2nd YEAR:  PRACTICAL WORK

The 2nd year will consist mainly of group sessions on the practical aspects of marriage counseling and concentrate on the skills needed for effective therapy.
THE PRACTICUM
This stage will consist of application of the skills learned in the course, supervised by clinical psychologists that specialize in marriage therapy. The students will also engage in simulations, and role-plays of marriage crisis and treatment models.

THE ART OF FACILITATION: ADVANCED MODELS IN GROUP THERAPY

This part of the course is designed to train its participants to be effective facilitators in group sessions. The theory will give students knowledge and skills in the dynamics behind group therapy, and how to integrate in different situations. The practical part of this stage will give students a chance to practice using these skills, under supervision, and with guidance from highly skilled therapists.
 Includes:
• General introduction to group sessions: expectations and how to form a group contract
• The status of the supervisor in groups, and his influence on the rest of the group
• Different models to use and how to deal with the changing dynamics in the group
• Effective communication and strategies
• The art of presentation with a group: body language, voice control
• How to encourage maximum group participation
• Dealing with conflict in therapy
• Self-confidence and promoting yourself to the public
• Student presentations before other course participants

PRACTICUM FOR ADVANCED STUDENTS

The purpose of the stage in the course is to raise student’s self- awareness of their strengths as therapists, thereby transforming the therapy into an effective and exciting experience that will help clients make positive changes in their married life, and to enrich their marital bond.
The orientation in this course has its source in three main themes:
• Jewish thought on free choice, and a person’s control of his thoughts and behaviours
• The central position of the therapist in effecting change in the client
• The importance in the therapist ensuring his own self-awareness so that he can help the client
 There are three parts to this course:
• Group discussions and analysis of case-studies of fellow students
• Simulations and role-plays to practice and perfect therapeutic techniques
• Self-analysis of the therapist – ‘therapist’s inner soul’
In the duration of this course students will also participate in group discussions and directive tips and skills by Y.N.R. experts in ‘Marriage and Family Therapy’.

FACULTY

Dr. Ami Shaked – Academic Head 
Rabbi Daniel Asor M.A.
Dr. Daniel Gotleib Clinical psychologist

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

• Participation in minimum 85% of the classes
• Participation in the practical part of the course
• Completion of four papers in the practicum
• Presentation in front of other course participants
• Towards the end of the course, each participant will be required to submit two case-studies. Each case-study must describe the status of the couple at the start of therapy, their problems, and what skills and methods were used to solve their issues. The papers will be submitted anonymously without any identifying details to the YNR website for other members to view.
• Participants will have guided supervision from YNR recommended supervisors for two case-studies. A full list of these approved supervisors is available on our website. (The supervision available on a nominal fee).
• Academic assignments on selected topics (details will be provided during the course).
• Selected compulsory readings to enhance participant's knowledge of the theory
• From the start of the second year, participants have an option to accept referrals from YNR on a pro-bono basis.

ACCEPTANCE REQUIREMENTS

All students who wish to apply for this course will be selected from the following pools:
• Students with degrees from recognized academic institutions (preference for degrees in social studies).
• Rabbinical studies equivalent to degree level
• Educational supervisors
• Rabbonim, Mashgichim in Yeshivot, and Chattan/Kallah teachers
• Attorneys and Toanim rabaniim
• Teachers or students who already hold a teachers certificate
• Anyone not included on this list will be evaluated and evaluated for approval by our supervising board
All applicants will be required to attend an interview and read the institution's policy before acceptance.

THE DIPLOMA

Students who complete the course, have paid in full, and answer to all the requirements, will be entitled to:
• Certification as a Marriage and Family Counselor from the YNR institute
• Certification as a Group Facilitator in ‘Marriage and Family Therapy’ from the Ministry of Education (Division of psychological counseling)
• Certification in Marriage and Family Therapy under the supervision YNR, the School of Social Work, and Bar Ilan University

For more details contact:
++972-26321615

office@ynrcollege.org