Private and Subsidized Mental Health Therapy

Psychotherapy can greatly alleviate the challenges of dealing with sexual trauma. It can help process the trauma and cope with its effects, significantly improving the survivor’s quality of life.

In addition to public treatment frameworks under the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Welfare, you can seek private therapy from therapists specialized in treating sexual trauma.

It’s worth noting that each health insurance provider has a list of private therapists, offering significantly lower prices for psychotherapy sessions compared to fully private practice rates.

What types of psychological treatments are available for sexual trauma?

Most often, treatment for sexual trauma and trauma-related issues is based on psychotherapy, which involves talking. The main types of therapy are psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychoanalysis, and art therapy (bibliotherapy, psychodrama, visual arts, etc.). There are also specialized trauma-focused therapies like EMDR.

These therapies are provided by therapists trained in clinical psychology, social work, psychiatry, and arts therapy), with additional training in psychotherapy. Each of these therapists can specialize in treating sexual trauma.

It’s important to know that the field of psychotherapy is not regulated by law. This means that anyone can offer psychotherapy without formal or recognized training. Therefore, before beginning therapy, it’s highly recommended to inquire about the therapist’s training and professional background.

How to choose psychological treatment for coping with sexual trauma?

The first step is to choose the preferred treatment approach. For instance, psychodynamic therapy is based on a close therapeutic relationship and can help understand and identify motivations for different behaviors and reactions. EMDR and CBT are more suitable for directly addressing post-traumatic symptoms.

Before starting treatment, it’s important to ensure that the therapist has specific training and experience in the field of sexual trauma and trauma treatment. Each type of trauma, including sexual trauma, has its own language and unique implications, so the therapist must be familiar with them to provide the appropriate treatment.

Rape Crisis Centers  throughout the country maintain lists of therapists specializing in various areas, including sexual trauma. You can consult with a Center to receive guidance on starting treatment, explore suitable treatment options, and be referred to therapists who meet your requirements.

Once in direct contact with the therapist, it is common to inquire about their qualifications and experience in the field.

How much does treatment cost?

Private therapy operates under a “free market” system, where each therapist determines his or her own fees. The fee is influenced by the therapist’s training, experience, location, and demand. Typically, the cost for a session ranges from 500 to 300 ILS per weekly session (as of 2025).

In addition, you can receive subsidized psychotherapy through health insurance, at a cost of 148 ILS per session.

Is there subsidized psychological treatment for sexual trauma?

Health insurance providers offer subsidized psychological treatment by private therapists. The initial session costs 62 ILS, and subsequent sessions cost 148 ILS.

Therapists who are in an arrangement with health insurance providers offer this treatment. You can inquire with the Rape Crisis Center about therapists who specialize in treating sexual trauma, or you can independently check with the therapist.

Is the treatment kept confidential?

In general, therapists are prohibited from disclosing the contents of therapy without the consent of the patient, and they are required to maintain confidentiality. However, there are exceptions. Treatment provided by therapists in arrangement with health insurance companies is documented in the insurance company’s mental health systems. If there is a concern about documentation, it’s advisable to address it directly with the therapist to establish an agreement.

Disclosure of therapy content can also occur in cases of mandatory reporting, such as when a minor is at risk of harm or abuse. Certain disclosures can also occur in cases of immediate danger to the patient or others.

In the context of legal proceedings (reporting to the police) related to sexual offenses, the defense or prosecution may seek to remove the privilege of confidentiality from the patient’s psychotherapy. It’s important to know that the law passed by the Psychological Association severely limits the ability to remove confidentiality without the consent of the survivor.

Unauthorized and unjustified disclosure of therapy content is an ethical violation, and complaints can be filed with the ethics committee of the Psychological Association or the psychologists’ union.