Trauma and Stress 
Research Lab

Danny Horesh, PhD - Head of lab                                                  
I am a licensed clinical psychologist and an associate professor of clinical psychology at Bar-Ilan University, Israel. My research focuses on risk and vulnerability factors associated with the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and comorbid conditions. I am also highly interested in post-traumatic processes within the family, including secondary traumatization and dyadic coping with trauma. My research is conducted among a variety of traumatized populations, including war veterans, ex-POWs and their spouses, individuals with developmental difficulties (ASD), and women who have experienced pregnancy loss. I am also interested in psychotherapy research among both PTSD and other stress-related disorders, with an emphasis on mindfulness practice.
Finally, I am also a clinician, trained in both psychoanalytic and CBT techniques. I see patients at my private clinic in Tel-Aviv, Israel. Contact me at: Danny.Horesh@biu.ac.il 

PhD candidates: 
Galit Even-Haim Avraham (joint supervision w/Prof. Rachel Dekel): In her BSF-funded study, Galit examines the way military couples share memories and experiences related to military service. She is looking into the different way personal and dyadic narratives are constructed, as well as the associations between narrative structure and themes and psychological outcomes such as PTSD, dyadyic adjustment, and quality of life. 

Lee Frumer: Lee is a licensed clinical psychologist. Lee is involved in a randomized controlled trial examining the effectiveness of several types of group therapy for Fibromyalgia. In her PhD, she is focusing on shared and differential change mechanisms for different types of therapy (e.g., meta-cognition, emotion regulation, mindfulness), while also asking the question of "what works for whom?", i.e., are there different types of patients for whom one intervention may be more beneficial than the other.

Ilil Zaks: Ilil is a licensed clinical psychologist with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Sociology from Tel Aviv University. She has prior experience as a mental health officer in the Air Force and currently runs a private clinic in Hod Hasharon, specializing in treating teenagers and adults with various therapeutic approaches. In her PhD research, Ilil focuses on examining the efficacy of couple therapy for PTSD. She explores both psychological and physiological change mechanisms and aims to determine the conditions under which this therapy is most effective. Additionally, she investigates the interactions and effects of these change mechanisms within the context of couple therapy.

Amit Danon: Amit Danon is a certified MA in clinical psychology, holding a bachelor's degree in behavioral sciences from Ben Gurion University and a master's degree in clinical psychology from Bar Ilan University. She is currently pursuing a PhD in the Department of Psychology at Bar Ilan University.
Amit's doctoral research focuses on the efficacy of couple therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She investigates both psychological and physiological change mechanisms to determine the conditions under which this therapy is most effective. Additionally, Amit explores the interactions and effects of these change mechanisms within the context of couple therapy. Alongside her academic pursuits, Amit interns at the children and youth clinic "Merhavim" in Nes Ziona, where she gains practical experience working with young individuals.


MA students:
Noa Ben Chanoch: Noa holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology from Ben Gurion University, and is currently a clinical Psychology student at Bar Ilan University. She has previously worked as a rehabilitation instructor and is currently gaining practical experience at the Bar Ilan public clinic as part of her studies. In her current research project, Noa is investigating the role of anger in post-traumatic couple therapy, seeking to better understand how this emotion affects the therapy process and outcomes.
 
Yuval Salomon: Yuval is a master's degree student majoring in Clinical Psychology. He is currently working on his thesis project, which centers around investigating the effects of a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention on fighters in the IDF's Border Battalions. With his research, Yuval aims to delve deeper into the mechanisms of change associated with mindfulness and explore its potential for enhancing the mental health and overall well-being of this particular population. Through his work, Yuval seeks to contribute to a better understanding of the therapeutic benefits of mindfulness and its applicability in military contexts.

Naama Tamari: Naama is a master's student specializing in the clinical field. Her thesis focuses on investigating psychophysiological predictors of pain and mental distress in individuals with fibromyalgia syndrome. She explores the relationship between cognitive perceptions of pain, body perception, and different disease patterns of fibromyalgia. Naama's research aims to understand how these factors impact pain coping, distress levels, and overall well-being in individuals with fibromyalgia. Additionally, she has experience working with women in Jerusalem who have experienced complex post-trauma resulting from childhood sexual abuse.

Shira Cohen: Shira is a master's student in clinical psychology. Her thesis focuses on exploring the phenomenon of identification with the aggressor among women who have experienced past or ongoing relationships of violence or abuse. The research aims to test the effectiveness of an experimental task designed to manipulate the state of identification with the aggressor. By studying the psychological, emotional, and interpersonal consequences of this situation, Shira hopes to gain insights into this phenomenon and contribute to future studies in this area. The research findings from this study have the potential to shed light on the psychological dynamics involved and provide valuable information for understanding and addressing this issue.

Noam Cohen Dover: Noam is a master's student in clinical psychology. Her thesis will delve into the concept of decentering, which is both a personality trait and a significant aspect of mindfulness. The primary objective of her study is to investigate the relationship between decentering and various factors such as stress (both subjective and objective), fibromyalgia, and depression. Noam's research aims to explore whether decentering might act as a moderating factor within these relationships. By examining the role of decentering, she hopes to shed light on its potential impact on stress, fibromyalgia, and depression. 

BA Students - Research Assistants:
Bar Hess: Bar is a third-year student pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology. She works as a research assistant in the CBCT project and mentors in the women's psychiatric department at Sheba Tel Hashomer Hospital, gaining practical experience with patients. Bar is involved in writing a meta-analysis on early regulatory mechanisms in autism, reflecting her passion for understanding this subject. She has previously participated in the scholarship program at the Van Leer Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences, further fueling her interest in psychology and social sciences.

Tamar Sheinin: Tamar is a graduate with a bachelor's degree in psychology and sociology from Bar Ilan University. She actively volunteers for the Sahar Association, an organization that offers support for individuals facing various hardships through an online platform. Currently, Tamar is participating in a couples therapy study that focuses on cases where one partner is experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Idan Barak: Idan is a third-year student pursuing a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Biology. He actively contributes to research as a volunteer research assistant in the CBCT project. In addition, Idan mentors patients in the Men's psychiatric department at Sheba Tel Hashomer Hospital, gaining practical experience in a clinical setting. He is also involved in community service through volunteering with "The Strength to Give" charity group, which aims to support and assist people in need.
 
Noa Yoskovitch: Noa is a third-year undergraduate student who has been actively involved as a research assistant in the lab for the last two years. She contributes to the Fibromyalgia study which aims to investigate the relationship between pain fluctuations, symptoms in fibromyalgia, and physiological measures. The experiment's objective is to comprehensively characterize pain patterns, both subjectively as experienced by the participants, and at the physiological level.

Eliya Galina: Eliya is a first-year undergraduate student pursuing a degree in psychology. Currently, Eliya serves as a research assistant in a study focused on exploring psychological and physiological predictors of pain patterns in fibromyalgia. The study aims to gain insights into the factors that contribute to pain experiences in individuals with fibromyalgia, both from psychological and physiological perspectives.

Yael Lisnanski: Yael is an undergraduate student in Psychology and Educational Counseling at Bar-Ilan University.
Yael aspires to pursue a master's degree in clinical psychology, with a specific focus on working with children and teenagers.

Tamuz Levy: Tamuz is a second-year undergraduate student majoring in psychology. Tamuz is involved in two significant studies. The first study she takes part in is about Fibromyalgia," which investigates the correlation between pain flares, symptoms experienced in fibromyalgia, and various physiological and psychological indicators. In addition, Tamuz participates in the "Identification with the Aggressor" study. This study focuses on comprehending the psychological, emotional, and interpersonal consequences associated with situations involving identification with the aggressor. 

Omer Gev: Omer is a B.A. student in the Department of Psychology & Special Education at Bar-Ilan University. With a strong interest in the field, Omer has set her sights on pursuing a master's degree in clinical psychology, specializing in working with adults.