The assumption that all negative behaviour patterns can be classified as addictions, is a new trend in psychology. Much has been written on both sides and i strongly recommend reading David Ley's Myth of Sexual Addiction. In the USA Dr Patrick Carnes, the primary proponent of this classification, has found fertile custoemr base among the orthodox Jewish community. Indeed within the next few weeks his associate (wife? Daughter?) is presenting a workshop specifically for the orthodox Jewish community, promoted by a Dr tepfer in the 5 towns. I was somewhat shocked to see it advertised on the popular Jewish news site "Vos Iz Neias." On the other hand the new diagnostic manual of the APA refused to include it as an addiction. So I would not be quick to assume that a rabbi who is inappropriately intimate with his clients suffers from a sexual predator addiction. He is more likely misguided or fell in to the advice of that old enemy, the evil inclination.
Dr. klafter is not a board certified psychiatrist, and he is not a professor. He wrote a very long paper for torahmusings a Jewish website, and does not seem to have published it in a peer-reviewed professional journal. It is a long article, and one has the impression that here is a nice frum psychiatrist (look at his picture and description in psychologytoday.com) who has a sideline in offering professional opinions on abuse in the Jewish community. On the other hand, healthgrades and other websites which rate doctors show that his patients are very satisfied. But who paid for his professional opinion? follow the money? And was his third-hand professional opinion what convinced the Giluy daas rabbis
If you look here: http://daattorah.blogspot.co.il/2012/11/dr-klafter-sexual-misconduct-of.html you will see that Dr. Nachum Klafter, M.D., is Director of Psychotherapy Training at the University of Cincinnati Psychiatry Residency Training Program. Dr. Klafter received his M.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He completed his specialty training in psychiatry at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, where he also served as Chief Resident. Dr. Klafter maintains a private practice in psychoanalytic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. He is the Vice President of the Cincinnati Hebrew Day School Board. He is an active member of the Nefesh International network of Orthodox Jewish Mental Health Professionals.
An excellent article, should be read by all those following the Halpern case. Lest it be forgotten, Halpern has no qualifications as a counsellor
ReplyDeleteThe assumption that all negative behaviour patterns can be classified as addictions, is a new trend in psychology. Much has been written on both sides and i strongly recommend reading David Ley's Myth of Sexual Addiction. In the USA Dr Patrick Carnes, the primary proponent of this classification, has found fertile custoemr base among the orthodox Jewish community. Indeed within the next few weeks his associate (wife? Daughter?) is presenting a workshop specifically for the orthodox Jewish community, promoted by a Dr tepfer in the 5 towns. I was somewhat shocked to see it advertised on the popular Jewish news site "Vos Iz Neias."
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand the new diagnostic manual of the APA refused to include it as an addiction. So I would not be quick to assume that a rabbi who is inappropriately intimate with his clients suffers from a sexual predator addiction. He is more likely misguided or fell in to the advice of that old enemy, the evil inclination.
Dr. klafter is not a board certified psychiatrist, and he is not a professor. He wrote a very long paper for torahmusings a Jewish website, and does not seem to have published it in a peer-reviewed professional journal. It is a long article, and one has the impression that here is a nice frum psychiatrist (look at his picture and description in psychologytoday.com) who has a sideline in offering professional opinions on abuse in the Jewish community.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, healthgrades and other websites which rate doctors show that his patients are very satisfied.
But who paid for his professional opinion? follow the money? And was his third-hand professional opinion what convinced the Giluy daas rabbis
If you look here: http://daattorah.blogspot.co.il/2012/11/dr-klafter-sexual-misconduct-of.html you will see that Dr. Nachum Klafter, M.D., is Director of Psychotherapy Training at the University of Cincinnati Psychiatry Residency Training Program. Dr. Klafter received his M.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He completed his specialty training in psychiatry at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, where he also served as Chief Resident. Dr. Klafter maintains a private practice in psychoanalytic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. He is the Vice President of the Cincinnati Hebrew Day School Board. He is an active member of the Nefesh International network of Orthodox Jewish Mental Health Professionals.
ReplyDeleteDr. Klafter is board certified: https://application.abpn.com/verifycert/verifyCert.asp?a=1&u=1
ReplyDeleteDr. Klafter is Board Certified b by the American Board of Pyschiatry and Neurology:
ReplyDeletehttps://application.abpn.com/verifycert/verifyCert.asp?a=1
Look him up by his last name only: KLAFTER. He is listed under his English name: ANDREW.
His Certificate number is 49641.