Dr. Shoshana Hellman, Ed.D. LPC

About Me

I finished a doctorate in counseling psychology at Columbia University, NYC, in 1980. Since then I have been working as a licensed psychologist and a licensed professional counselor both in Israel and the US.

My experience includes many years of supervision of counselors in Israel, and training counselors to become licensed in the US (Wisconsin). I taught at the Hebrew University in Israel and was a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin.

I have been working in private practice in both countries mainly addressing issues of transitions in life. Issues such as dealing with geographic moves, career changes, and life changes (separation, divorce, loss,parenting and family conflicts).

Throughout the years I have been trained in EMDR, (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing). It is an effective method to work with PTSD (trauma) and also with anxiety, depression and grief.

I am a licensed couple and family therapist and was trained by Steve de Shazer the founder of solution focused therapy.

I am also a Certified Gottman Couple therapist, supervisor and trainer of the Gottman Method for couples, trained by John and Julie Gottman. This approach provides excellent tools for couples to communicate and improve their relationships.

Another interest and expertise of mine is working with children and adult ADHD/ADD. Helping parents understand and help their children and helping the adult ADHD/ADD cope with issues of concentration, organization, time and more.

I provide counseling by video-conferencing as well,(mostly by zoom) so that geographical distances are not an issue and one can get help at his or her own convenience.

My Approach

My approach in therapy is culturally sensitive. I speak several languages and I am bi-lingual in English and Hebrew. Living in two countries made me very familiar with transitions in life.

I believe in short term therapy, therefore I was trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for individuals and solution focused therapy for couples and families. In recent years I work with couples using the Gottman method which is research based and very effective in repairing relationships.

Since I travel and commute between two countries, I often use video conferencing in my work. (This was much before the corona epidemic). Research found that it can be as effective as face to face therapy. I wrote a chapter about it recently and now I am in the process of writing another chapter to be published about Gottman Therapy on line.

Credentials:

Licensed Professional Counselor – State of Wisconsin (#3129-125)
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor - State of Illinois (#180-011251)
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy - Clinical Fellow (#14961)
American Psychological Association – member; division of counseling psychology (17)
Licensed psychologist - Israel (# 2966)
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - Israel (#367)
EMDR Training (level 1&2)
Certified Gottman Couple Therapist , consultant and trainer.
Gottman Educator/Leader for the Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work

Publications

The Portfolio: A Method of Reflective Development

Supervision of Counselors in Israel (Hebrew)

Supervision of School Counselors in Israel: Setting up a Network of Supervision

Israeli Counselors Facing Terrorism: Coping and Professional Development

Career Development Stages of Israeli School Counselors

Activities for professional development (Hebrew)

ADHD -helping parents of kids with ADHD and learning disabilities (Hebrew)

Forum for distance counseling (facilitated by me) in Hebrew

Gottman Therapy (Hebrew)

Chapters in Books and Articles

Hellman, S. M (2023). Gottman Method: Assessment and Treatment in the age of online therapy. In H. Weinberg, A. Rolnick and A. Leighton(Eds) Advances in online therapy Online Therapy by Routledge New York and London

Hellman, S. M (2020). Practical considerations for online couple and Family therapy. In H. Weinberg and A. Rolnick (Eds) Theory and Practice of Online Therapy by Routledge New York and London

Hellman, S.M. (2004). Supervision of Counselors in Israel. In R. Erhard & A. Klingman (Eds), Counseling in a Changing World. Tel-Aviv, Israel: Ramot (Hebrew).

Hellman, S.M. (1999). Supervision of School Counselors in Israel: Setting up a Network of Supervision. In M. Carroll & E.L. Holloway (Eds), Counselling Supervision in Context. London, England: Sage Ltd. (Link)

Hellman, S.M. (1999). The Portfolio: A Method of Reflective Development. In M. Carroll, & E.L.Holloway, (Eds.), Training Counselling Supervisors. London, England: Sage Ltd. (link)

Hellman, S.M. (1996). Career Development - Theoretical Background and Activities for Elementary School. In Psychological Services and Curriculum Development, (Eds.), Life Skills. Ministry of Education, Jerusalem Israel. (Hebrew). (link)

Hellman, S., & Cinamon G. (2006). Israeli Counselors Facing Terrorism: Coping and Professional Development, British Journal of Guidance and Counseling. 34,2,209-229 (link)

Cinamon, G., & Hellman S. (2004). Career Development Stages of Israeli School Counselors, British Journal of Guidance and Counseling, 32,1,39-55 (link)

Cinamon, G., & Hellman S. (1999). Developmental Phases of Professional Counselors, Educational Counselor, 8, 30-39 (in Hebrew)

Hellman S., & Cinnamon G. (1998). The Use of the Portfolio for Counselors’ Development. Educational Counselor, 7, 285-292 (in Hebrew)

Gati I., Hellman S.& Orenstein A. (1995). Directions for the Future: A Computer Assisted Career Guidance System, Educational Counselor ,5,.85-97 (in Hebrew)

Presentations

Hellman, S. (2016). Overcoming geographical and emotional distance by video psychotherapy. Paper presented at the 2nd International Conference on Loss, Bereavement & Human Resilience in Israel and the world. Eilat, Israel.

Hellman, S. (2009). Post degree Supervision: Distance modalities of supervision for practicing counselors. Roundtable discussion presented at the American Psychological Association Convention in Toronto Canada.

Hellman, S., & Cinamon G. (2008). Differential Aspects of School Counseling; A Qualitative Study. Poster presented at the International Counseling Psychology Conference in Chicago.

Hellman S., & Cinnamon G. (2004) Israeli Counselors Coping with Terror and Trauma. Paper presented at the APA convention in Hawaii

Hellman S., & Cinnnamon G. (2002). Resources and Barriers in the Professional Development of Counselors. Paper presented at the APA in Chicago