Psychology

In the first intake with the patient,  the psychologist focuses on evaluating  the  patient's situation, factors and circumstances which affect  their emotional condition and responses.

During the rehabilitation process,  the psychologist will help the patient express their concerns and identify their strengths- which will help them cope with their new situation and with the demands of the rehabilitation process.  A lot of emphasis is put on helping the patient to become more independent and to help them improve and develop their social skills and emotional development.

Prior to their discharge from the Hospital, the patients undergo psychological evaluations. The evaluations help the staff write their recommendations for treatment therapies and to organize a suitable rehabilitation program for the patient within their community.

In cases where the patient is suffering from a traumatic brain injury, the evaluation is carried out by a neuro-psychologist who can locate and measure the extent of the brain injury, its implications, resulting behavioral problems and psychological difficulties.

The ALYN psychologists work with a number of treatment methods:

• Psychodynamic
• Behavioral  intervention
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Short term therapy
• Play therapy
• Relaxation and guided imagery
• Storytelling

The ALYN psychologists work in conjunction with professionals who use non-verbal

therapies such as art, music, animals and humor i.e. medical clowns.  These therapies are used as an addition to the regular psychological counseling sessions. 

Often, the focus in the psychological counseling session is systematic, and  includes consultation and guidance to the parents,  to  the educational  framework where the patient studies and to ALYN's paramedical staff.

If required, an ALYN patient can receive a psychiatric consultation which will benefit him and  help him advance in the rehabilitation process. In coordination with the physicians, the psychologists may consult with the psychiatrist as part of the patient's individualized psychosocial counseling. This service is also available, in special cases, to patients who are treated in ALYN's Out Patient clinics.

Neuropsychological evaluations are available to all children through ALYN's Out Patient clinics.

These evaluations are suitable for both children and adolescents and provide an image of the child's cognitive profile, emotional condition and learning difficulties and include recommendations for specific therapy treatments.  The evaluations provide information about learning abilities and they are accepted by the Ministry of Education when the Ministry requires a psycho-didactic evaluation.  These evaluations can also be used as legal documents.

The staff includes 6 psychologists who specialize in developmental psychology, rehabilitation and neuropsychology.