Psychologist Psycho-yogi
Namaste!
My name is Hila Naftali. I am a psychologist with 12 years, experience in individual and couples therapy. I specialize in treating men and women with relationship and sexuality issues, eating disorders, and addictions.
My approach is unique in that it incorporates principles of yoga into psychotherapy, as I have been a yoga teacher since 2010. I have developed this approach out of a deep understanding that the body, mind and soul are inextricably linked.
My private practice is located at the heart of Tel Aviv.
About Me
I am a psychologist with 12 years’ experience in individual and couples therapy. I specialize in treating men and women with relationship and sexuality issues, eating disorders, and addictions. Born out of a deep understanding that the body mind and soul are inextricably linked, my unique approach incorporates principles of yoga into psychotherapy.
I completed my psychology studies in Germany in 2008, specializing in clinical and occupational psychology, including criminology. In 2006, I began working as a psychologist in prisoner rehabilitation. I later worked mostly in the public sector in Israel and abroad, including the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Defense, and National Insurance Institute, treating a wide range of psychological issues.
During my studies, I began to take an active interest in yoga. In 2010, I completed the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga teacher training course under Miri and Gili Harouvi.
Psycho-yoga therapy is the fruit of my 12 years’ experience as a psychologist and 19 years’ experience practicing yoga.
Education
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BA and MA in clinical and occupational Psychology including criminology (2001–2008) – Heidelberg University, Germany
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Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training (2009–2010) – Yoga Shala, Israel
Psycho-yoga: Psychotherapy that combines Yoga principles
Psychotherapy that incorporates yoga principles was born out of a deep understanding that it is impossible to treat the human psyche without paying attention to the body. This type of therapy is essentially humanistic and holistic; that is, it puts the person at the center of therapy, recognizing that in order for real change and healing to take place, body, mind and soul must be taken into consideration. Body mind and soul are interdependent and influence each other. A person who is struggling psychologically is often also struggling physically, and vice versa.
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Psychology provides mental tools for change, such as different coping strategies, and helps to understand the thinking and behavior cycles that paralyze us. This way we can learn how to rid ourselves of difficulties that have arisen over the years.
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Yoga principles add action to the treatment. In other words, without moving the body, mind, and soul, no change will occur. People must actively work towards change in order to attain their desired goals. Through breathing exercises, mental relaxation exercises, and focusing on energetic centers (chakras), patients successfully find relief, which enables them to make changes in their lives and attain their desired goals. Once stress is reduced, our mind, body, and soul become calmer, and we have the strength to be active and create change.
Psycho-yoga therapy consists of four main parts:
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Individual mental and physical diagnosis
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Creating a personal treatment plan based on the diagnosis
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Weekly 50-minute sessions in my private practice in Tel Aviv
Sessions include conversations and breathing, meditation, and guided imagery exercises as needed and with the patient’s consent. The patient performs the exercises without shoes, either lying down on a yoga mat or seated.
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Small tasks to practice between sessions
Each part will be discussed with you and tailored to your wants. Every four months or so we will go over your personal treatment plan together and update it as needed. The duration of therapy is individual and can range from a single session, to help you to sort things out, to two years or longer, depending on your goals and wants.
Dr Rishi Vivekananda (Psychiatrist and Yogi) writes in his Book: Practical Yoga Psychology:
" We are so distracted by the "dramas" of our lives that we do not realize who we are".
I would like to add:
The combination of Psychology and Yoga allows us to focus on whats important for us in Life so "dramas" can no longer distract us and we are able to find our way back to ourselves.