Therapy in a War Zone: Navigating Terror and Trauma in Israel, with Lisa Fliegel

Since October 7, many of us have been glued to our screens, scouring every bit of news out of Israel. Today's guest, Trauma Therapist Lisa Fliegel, knew that if she stayed home in Boston, she'd be filled with anxiety. Instead, three hours after news of the Hamas massacre reached her, she booked a plane ticket to Israel.

Lisa spent a full month with the survivors of the October 7 attack who have relocated to a hotel in Eilat. There, Lisa spent time with children and adult survivors, counseled other therapists, and created a therapeutic milieu out of the hotel lobby.

Lisa  is a trauma specialist with extensive experience in providing support to individuals coping with significant psychological trauma. With dual citizenship and having served in the Israel Defense Forces, Lisa's connection to Israel runs deep. She lived on Kibbutz Ketura in the Arava desert for 20 years and has a strong commitment to social justice and social change. Lisa is a special clinical consultant to the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute a grassroots non-profit that serves survivors of victims of homicide. She is an author and journalist. Her book-in-progress "Bulletproof Therapist: My clinical adventures in Israel/Palestine, Northern Ireland, and Inner-City Boston is waiting to hatch amid various missile attacks, gunfire and social upheaval. 

In this episode, you'll:

• Find out why you don't need to be the best therapist (or the best mother, or the best anything else)
• Discover how to be a student when people teach us what they need
• Learn what to do when there's nothing to be done
• Understand why we need to recognize when other people make a meaningful impact
• Uncover the profound effects of shame on trauma survivors and learn what the difference is between tragedy and trauma
• Learn how being fully present can profoundly impact trauma support and activism efforts.

Learn more about Lisa:
Facebook
Bulletproof Therapist
Lisa's Blog
LinkedIn  

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"This is my go-to podcast for inspiration and to discover new approaches to embrace the challenges in my life." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me reach more people -- just like you -- find strategies and insights to do the things that feel undoable. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. Follow now!

Sign up for my newsletter and learn more about these remarkable stories at www.jessicafeinstories.com

Order Jessica's memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes

Music credit: Limitless by Bells