Nestled in the serene valleys of southwestern Jerusalem, amid wild vegetation and the ruins of a Roman villa, the Ein Yael Archaeological Park for Culture and Nature has become a sanctuary of hope and healing. Adjacent to the Tisch Family Biblical Zoo, the park is home to the Yaelim Center-Ein Yael nature program, a pioneer in Israel since 2005. This initiative harnesses the therapeutic power of wildlife, multi-lingual therapists and the natural environment to provide effective healing for vulnerable communities.
Under the leadership of Director Eitan Yogev, who transformed the center in 2010, Yaelim offers three critical branches of treatment. The program empowers marginalized youth by equipping them with essential life skills; runs an annual after-school club for at-risk children; and provides ongoing group and family therapy for those grappling with trauma or mental health challenges. Collaborating with the Jerusalem Social Welfare Office, Yaelim serves a diverse population, including individuals with special needs, offering innovative care that blends creativity, craftsmanship, and conversation within nature.
With a dedicated team of eight employees and 12 freelance therapists, Yaelim supports around 500 clients annually, addressing their unique needs through a holistic approach to therapy. Eitan, who holds advanced degrees in nature-based psychotherapy and educational administration, emphasizes the importance of nature in the healing process. As the organization adapts to the evolving landscape of mental health care, we spoke with Eitan to gain insights into Yaelim’s approach and its impact on the community since the beginning of the war.
Q: Can you explain how psychotherapy in nature is helpful for the clients you work with?
A: Amidst the natural world, the various Yaelim therapeutic programmes practice agriculture, gardening, art and ancient workshops such as clay, mosaic, wool production and weaving and basket production. The continuous counselling, tutoring, listening and involvement in participants’ development influence their stability and mental health and inspire them to seek better futures. Yaelim staff are highly professional and all certified to practice nature therapy treatment.
At the day centre, these counsellors serve as role models for the small groups. Through the learning and practice of rustic survival skills such as building with wood, lighting fires, purifying water and foraging, participants learn to take responsibility and gain a sense of self worth. Recognizing cycles and natural courses around them helps the youth realise that there are answers for their needs as well and the exposure to the outdoors improves their mental health.
Q: How do you measure success?
A: Due the therapeutic nature of the program and the aim of fostering behavioural changes, success is more often measured in the long run. Sample metrics are the level of continuity in treatment and specifically the ability of teens to join municipal Young Leader courses, which open employment opportunities at Ein Yael for them, and the improvement in school attendance if these troubled youth, as documented by welfare officers handling their cases.
Q: Is there a success story that you can share?
A: An inspiring success was achieved with juvenile offenders. The 2022/23 group consisted of many youths who were repeat offenders and were not in touch with their parents. Yaelim staff initiated a group meeting to which parents were invited to encourage the youth and parents to reconnect. While initially suspicious, the youth slowly opened to the idea and the meeting took place, starting with a big communal bonfire after which each parent and child went to have some quality time alone in nature. Parents were touched by the gesture and the open conversation it enabled them with their children. The youth admitted that they enjoyed the experience and wish that it could be a regular occurrence.
Q: I understand Yaelim aims to be inclusive by helping those suffering from socioeconomic deprivation, domestic abuse and severe learning and behavioral difficulties. Do you also support youth from varied religious and ethnic backgrounds?
A: Yes. Yaelim employs licensed Arabic speaking therapists and translators who work with Israeli Arabs and Arabic speakers. As for the most vulnerable communities, some of our teenagers, who are living on the street or in shelters for homeless youth, have exhausted all formal educational options and are referred to Yaelim by community service organizations.
Q: How has your programming changed or adapted since October 7, 2023?
A: Ein Yael like many other civil society organisations in Jerusalem has come forward since October 7, 2023, to help with the immediate needs of the war. Already in the first weeks, Ein Yael offered art and craft sessions to evacuees and war refugees, in the hotels they were staying at and onsite. They also hosted families of reservist soldiers and various disadvantaged Jerusalem populations for respite sessions in partnership with the impactful Jerusalem Foundation Double Impact program. Additionally, Ein Yael adjusted their programming to offer immediate therapeutic response to trauma victims with newly established therapy groups for those were bereaved as well as family and individual therapy for survivors of the Nova Music Festival massacre. We also support people suffering from combat related PTSD symptoms. Yaelim additionally organizes Therapeutic Space events, which welcome individuals and groups from the aforementioned categories to participate in healing and relaxation workshops, seminars and sessions.