Matat Emotional Therapy Center was established at the Jerusalem Community Health Center twelve years ago.
Matat offers a range of therapy to children from Jerusalem and the surrounding areas. Our therapies are available to children studying in both special-education and mainstream settings. Matat provides these treatments, which are not otherwise available through the standard educational system, at a reduced price.
Matat offers:
Occupational therapy and speech therapy Adapted physical activity
Music therapy Play therapy
Art therapy Animal-assisted therapy
Gardening therapy Drum therapy
Drama therapy Psychotherapy
Counseling for parents Social skills groups — to develop social skills
Workshops for health-care professionals and parents
Our therapies are geared towards elementary and high-school students with motor, emotional, social, and behavioral difficulties.
Unfortunately, the high cost of these therapies when provided by in the private therapists leads to in a delay of treatment. In some cases, such as in large families or those with financial difficulties, treatment is not received at all.
Emotional therapy helps children experiencing behavioral and emotional difficulties, which may stem from trauma, such as divorce, accident, terrorist attack, death in the family, or abuse. Therapy is also beneficial for children from underprivileged homes characterized by an inadequate developmental environment, as well as children inborn emotional or functioning disabilities.
Children are usually referred to us by school psychologists, teachers, counselors, or parents. After our professional staff conducts a comprehensive intake evaluation, we tailor the treatment to the child’s individual needs. Treatment plans are created with specific goals in mind and include follow-up. Throughout the entire process, the center’s clients receive the highest standards of professional guidance and care.
Our experience has shown that the right treatment applied at the right time brings substantial results, solving problems as they arise, and preventing future difficulties. We help children deal with their current level of functioning, while maintaining their existing, familiar settings, both at home and at school.
Over the years, we have witnessed with drawn, shy, and developmentally-delayed children grow into self-confident individuals, successfully integrated into society. Many of the center’s clients have improved their academic performance, thanks to the treatment and the support received at Matat.
At times, schools refer children who are at risk of dropping out of the educational system to us. In these situations, our therapists are in constant contact with school staff in order to properly guide and track the students’ academic progress. When parenting problems exist, we offer professional guidance and support to parents.
Principals and educators at various educational institutions are already aware of the connection between students’ motoric and emotional development and academic achievements. In order to increase this awareness, Matat arranges lectures to school faculties, guidance counselors, and parents. These lectures are given by professionals and experts from various fields.