Referral Process

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[*As is typical, the phrasing below is in the masculine form but, of course, is intended for both sexes equally.] We all experience crises at different times in life. Sometimes we are able to manage on our own, sometimes with the help of family or friends, and sometimes we feel that professional help specifically from someone on the outside can help us to overcome our difficulties. Reasons for seeking psychological treatment are different and varied: test anxiety, concentration difficulties and various challenges related to one’s studies; difficulties and dilemmas regarding relationships, break-ups or personal or couple-based crises; feelings of insecurity, low self-esteem, loneliness or difficulty making social connections; difficulties surrounding transition periods and changes (in the family, the environment, or arriving to the Technion); feeling a loss of interest and lack of desire for life, despondency, depression or anxiety; eating disorders; coping with illness, trauma or grief… In essence, any personal issue that concerns or bothers us and which we find difficult to cope with can lead to the need and opportunity to seek treatment. Contacting us to obtain psychological services includes several steps:

Step One: Submitting Forms

Arrive to the clinic to complete an intake form (for those who would like – the form can be downloaded from the website) and two questionnaires, one very short one and another one that is the MMPI questionnaire (self-report questionnaire that includes statements in which you mark either “true” or “false”) that takes approximately an hour and a half to complete. We suggest that you contact us by phone to get updates on the process and to avoid coming into the office without an appointment. The form must be completed by hand. Before filling out the form, we recommend that you contact us to obtain more information – either by email at psyche@technion.ac.il or by phone at 077-8872908. To download the intake form for therapy, click here.

Step Two: Introductions and an Assessment of the Situation

An individual who has submitted the forms, filled out the questionnaire and paid, is invited to two initial assessment sessions with one of our staff members at the center. These meetings are held to meet the individual seeking help, to understand his personal difficulties, and to assess the best way that we can help him. In most cases, the therapist who conducts the introductory sessions will not be the therapist who will provide treatment moving forward. Sometimes, the individual seeking treatment will be asked to go through a more comprehensive process of psychodiagnostic testing in order to obtain a more in-depth and broader picture of his difficulties and how to best provide treatment. In addition, sometimes the individual seeking treatment will be asked to meet with a psychiatrist who works at the center, and again this is done in order to get to know the individual on a deeper level and to assess the most appropriate treatment options for him. (The referral to psychodiagnostic testing and/or a meeting with the psychiatrist can occur during the introductory sessions or during treatment itself, as necessary.)

Step Three: Invitation to Begin Treatment

Based on the introductory meetings, a professional evaluation is formed regarding the nature of the difficulties and the recommended method of treatment, and therapy is arranged accordingly. The therapist will make contact via phone with the individual and treatment begins. It is important to keep in mind that there may be a wait before treatment begins. The wait time primarily depends on the number of people seeking treatment at the center at any given time. The busiest months of the year are typically between February and June. During busy periods, there may sometimes be a waiting period of several months between the completion of the introductory sessions and the start of treatment. However, even during those busy periods, we do our best to handle urgent matters immediately.

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