Home - Frum Therapist: Mental Health Resources for the Frum Community
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Micah B. Engel, NP-P Brooklyn, NY 11201, USAMicah B. Engel, NP-P is a board-certified nurse practitioner in psychiatry providing medication management and person-centered therapy to children, adolescents, and adults. His specialties include ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, trauma disorders, bipolar disorders, depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. He is currently employed at Four Winds Hospital and Mosaic Mental Health. Mr. Engel also sees clients at his private practice. Mr. Engel is licensed to treat clients located in NY, NH and NM.
Questioning the Wanderer
As a therapist, I often ponder what to ask when. Even the very first question we ask as a client comes in for their first session becomes a professional issue as I try to identify what message each question sends. How can I help empower a client from the get-go?
In this week's parsha, when Yosef was sent to visit his brothers and didn’t find them, the Torah tells us he wandered in the field. He met a man …
Dr. Avraham (Allan) Friedman, Psy. D., LMSWDecember 19 2024
Dear Therapist:
I have heard that people are developing AI therapy and that it could be just as effective as in person therapy. Setting aside for the moment the issues that come along with use of technology, I am wondering if you think this is, or can be, and effective method of therapy?
Response:
Your question can be understood from a global perspective or with regard to specific needs for specific people within the context of a therapeut …
Joy or Despair
I prefer a simple life. Meanings are easy to discern, events fit in nicely with my weltanschauung, there are no visible threats to my existence and in general I am feeling good about life.
All too often, though, life throws me a curveball. Events happen that aren't always so easy to decipher. There may be too many options/ angles with which to understand an event, my ego may get in the way and there may be some threa …
Dr. Avraham (Allan) Friedman, Psy. D., LMSWDecember 11 2024
Fourth Time a Charm
or
Alone vs. Lonely
In Israel, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the parallel phrase to “third time a charm” was “third time, ice cream.” Most people I know never actually bought or got ice cream even though the phrase is widely used. But it is at least brings a smile to peoples' faces.
We have noted in these pages before how careful/stingy the Torah is with its words. Very often the rabbi …
Dr. Avraham (Allan) Friedman, Psy. D., LMSWDecember 3 2024
Dear Therapist:
Is there a benefit to using therapy just for accountability? I pretty much know what I need to do but I push things off a bit and I find that it helps for me to have someone that I check in with weekly to keep me on my game. I have done therapy in the past for deeper issues but I feel like at this point it's more about taking action. I am considering resuming therapy but mostly just for the goal of being accountable to someone. Pu …
Dear Therapist:
I enjoy your weekly responses and I think that it has provided me with a lot of insight into my own life. My question is: How would you define self-esteem? Is it the same thing as self-confidence? Is it something that someone can build on their own or must they be born and raised with? I understand that everyone might have a slightly different definition but I think I would appreciate hearing all of your perspectives on this. Than …
