Dr. Yael Lahav, PhD - Head of lab

Short Biography:

Dr. Yael Lahav is a licensed clinical psychologist and an assistant professor (senior lecturer) in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Tel Aviv University, Israel. In her PhD dissertation, she explored the relations between interpersonal and somatic facets among former prisoners of the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Since she received her PhD, Dr. Lahav has completed two post-doctoral fellowships. First at the University of Southern Denmark, and subsequently at Stanford University, after receiving the prestigous Fulbright Scholarship. In addition, Dr. Lahav worked as a research fellow at the I-CORE Research Center for Mass Trauma at Tel Aviv University. Her research has involved collaborating with leading research groups in the field of trauma and has led to advancements both in Israel and abroad.

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Research Interests:

Dr. Lahav's interests revolve primarily around the unique relations between the psychological, interpersonal, somatic, physiological, and functional facets of psychological trauma. Additionally, she is interested in the “contagious” effect of trauma as manifested in the strong bonds between victims and perpetrators. Her research is conducted among a variety of traumatized populations, including survivors of childhood abuse (sexual, physical, and emotional), domestic abuse, ex-POWs, and war veterans.

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As a clinical psychologist, her research goal is to promote treatment for trauma survivors. Thus, Dr. Lahav is also interested in psychotherapy research among trauma survivors, with emphasis on practices that integrate psychological and somatic aspects.

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