The Jewish Roots of Psychotherapy

The roots of modern psychotherapy have origins in Jewish thought, history, and intellectual traditions. Even though I am not religious, being Jewish has always been central to my identity. It surely influenced my becoming a psychotherapist; my father is one as well.

The Jewish influence on psychotherapy traces back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries: many foundational figures in psychoanalysis were Jewish. Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, was an Austrian Jew. The broader Jewish community in Europe, particularly in cities like Vienna, was highly engaged in intellectual discourse, leading to advancements in mental health.

Freud’s development of psychoanalysis was influenced by the Jewish intellectual tradition of questioning, interpreting, and exploring the human psyche. Jewish scholars had studied human behavior, ethics, and morality, which are key themes in both religious and secular Jewish texts. Similarly, Freud's work sought to understand and treat the unconscious mind and human behavior that was of a psychological nature.

Cultural and Intellectual Contributions

The Jewish cultural emphasis on education, intellectual exploration, and ethics led to the early development of psychotherapy. Jewish scholars and practitioners were among the first to explore the connections between mind and behavior and to establish psychotherapy as a legitimate field of practice and study.

One aspect of Jewish culture key to psychotherapy is the concept of *tikkun olam* ("repairing the world"), which emphasizes healing, both individually and collectively. This idea parallels the goals of psychotherapy, which seeks to heal and improve mental and relational well-being. The emphasis on self-reflection, moral responsibility, and pursuing knowledge in Jewish culture also aligns with principles of psychotherapy that encourage us to explore our inner lives and make conscious efforts to improve our mental health and relationships.

I'd be remiss not to mention that a great deal of this seems to stem from Antisemitism and necessity: in many countries Jews have faced quotas; we weren’t able to study many of the hard sciences at universities, and faced restrictions on our assets; i.e. many couldn't purchase homes in certain areas (Sachar, 1992; Wistrich, 1991). This served to push us more into the Humanities.

Key Figures and Their Contributions

In addition to Freud, other prominent figures in the development of psychotherapy who were Jewish include Alfred Adler, who founded individual psychology, and Viktor Frankl, who developed logotherapy, a form of existential therapy that emphasizes finding meaning in life, even in the face of suffering. These thinkers brought their own perspectives to the field, often influenced by their Jewish heritage and experiences.

Alfred Adler’s emphasis on social interest and community reflects the Jewish value of communal responsibility, while Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy was deeply influenced by his experiences as a Holocaust survivor and his reflections on human resilience and the "search for meaning." These contributions have had a lasting impact on psychotherapy.

Irvin Yalom is another Jewish psychiatrist who had a major influence on my career. He's a prominent American psychiatrist and psychotherapist who made significant contributions to psychotherapy, particularly through his work on existential and group therapy. He's also a gifted and prolific novelist. He emphasized addressing fundamental human concerns, such as death, freedom, isolation, and meaninglessness in therapy. Yalom believed that confronting these existential realities could lead to personal growth and a more authentic life. His innovative approach to group therapy emphasized interpersonal relationships and the therapeutic factors arising from group dynamics, like cohesion and catharsis. To this day, most group psychotherapy classes use his textbook, "The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy," which was recently updated to its sixth edition. Another influential book, "Existential Psychotherapy", also shaped modern therapy and continues to inspire thousands of therapists worldwide.

John Gottman also made significant contributions to relationship and marriage therapy. He is best known for his research on marital stability and divorce prediction. Through longitudinal studies, Gottman identified key behavioral patterns, such as "The Four Horsemen" (criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling), which are strong predictors of relationship breakdown. His work led to the development of the Gottman Method, an evidence-based approach to couple therapy that focuses on enhancing emotional connection, building trust, and managing conflict constructively. His research has had a lasting impact on both clinical practice and relationship education. Another key Jewish figure in the couple therapy space is Esther Perel, who's famous for her work on affairs and sexual and emotional passion and connectedness in long-term, monogamous relationships.

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As an EMDR therapist myself, Francine Shapiro, wields a major influence on treating psychological trauma. EMDR is a highly effective treatment for psychological trauma among many other issues. Her discovery came in the late 1980s when she noticed that repetitive, fast, and horizontal eye movements helped reduce the intensity of somatic, visual, auditory, emotional, and cognitive disturbances characteristic to psychological trauma. EMDR helps individuals process and resolve traumatic memories. Shapiro pioneered a new approach to trauma treatment, now backed by extensive research. EMDR has since gained widespread acceptance as a standard therapeutic method for trauma recovery worldwide. Another prominent trauma psychotherapist is Edna Foa, who created Prolonged Exposure therapy.

It also fits to acknowledge Rollo May and Erich Fromm. May was an existential psychologist who integrated existential philosophy with psychotherapy, emphasizing human experiences of anxiety, freedom, and choice. Fromm explored the intersection of psychology and sociology, focusing on human freedom, love, and social behavior.

Jewish Ethical and Philosophical Influences

The ethical and philosophical underpinnings of Judaism have also played a role in shaping psychotherapy. Jewish ethical teachings, such as the focus on justice, compassion, and the importance of relationships, resonate with the therapeutic principles of empathy, ethics, and the therapeutic relationship/alliance, the most fundamental element for the outcomes of psychotherapy.

The Jewish tradition of *Midrash*, which involves interpreting and finding deeper meanings in religious texts, relates to interpretive work in psychotherapy, where clients and therapists explore the deeper meanings behind thoughts, behaviors, and experiences. This interpretive approach is central to many forms of psychotherapy, particularly psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapy.

Modern Implications and Continued Influence

Today, the Jewish roots of psychotherapy continue to be acknowledged and explored by scholars and practitioners. The Jewish emphasis on lifelong learning and personal growth aligns with the goals of psychotherapy, which encourages individuals to engage in ongoing self-exploration and development.

Moreover, the experiences of Jewish communities particularly in the face of historical trauma (i.e. the Holocaust and October 7, 2023 among many others), have contributed to a deeper understanding of trauma and resilience in psychotherapy. The exploration of collective and intergenerational trauma (which all Jews have faced if you trace our lineage back enough), which has become an important area of study in contemporary psychotherapy, is informed by Jewish communities, therapists, and scholars.

Conclusion

Arguably the Jews were forced into the humanities (Sachar, 1992; Wistrich, 1991). Nonetheless, the Jewish roots of psychotherapy are deeply embedded in history, culture, and intellect. From the foundational contributions of Jewish thinkers like Freud, Adler, Frankl, Yalom, Gottman, and Shapiro to the ongoing influence of Jewish ethical and philosophical ideas, the connection between Judaism and psychotherapy is profound and enduring. This connection continues to shape the way we understand and practice psychotherapy today, highlighting the importance of cultural and intellectual diversity in mental health care.

As such, it's not a coincidence that I am Jewish. To me, outside of its religious connotation, being Jewish means seeking and demonstrating resilience, truth, perseverance, diligence, caring for others, healing, examining our lives, and challenging areas of the status quo that disenfranchise others. This is essential to how I run my business and serve the community.