Seagull - Emotional Stress Reduction Clinic

The Seagull Clinic was established to assist individuals dealing with from emotional stress, providing accessible treatment across a variety of methods: cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dynamic integrative therapy, and drug therapy.

Our clinic works closely with various departments and clinics within Sheba, recognising the interdependence between physical illnesses and mental stress. Our dedicated staff uses research-based tools to provide therapeutic solutions to specific populations. We extend our collaboration beyond the medical center, to treat and impart skills to reduce mental stress and reduce burnout to diverse populations, such as doctors and nursing students.
 

What is emotional stress?

Emotional stress is something we all experience, which can manifest in several ways:

Physically: difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, tremors, increased sweating, stabbing or tight feeling in the chest, abdominal pain.

Mentally: attention and concentration disorders, memory issues, difficulty with decision-making, and persistent thought cycles that are challenging to break away from.

Emotionally: frequent mood swings, intensification of feelings of fear, sadness, anger, etc.

Behaviorally: sleep disorders, eating disorders, anger outbursts and avoidance of social connections and activities that were previously enjoyable.
 

How do we handle stress?

During the initial meeting with a clinic staff member, we take the time to assess all of the applicant's difficulties. Based on this assessment, a customized treatment plan is created, which may include one or a combination of the following methods.
 
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
A psychological treatment that focuses on beliefs, thoughts and behaviors that prevent effective adaptation to life tasks. This method is based on the assumption that even in situations beyond our control, we are not powerless; our thinking and behavior significantly determine how we handle situations, for better or worse. Accordingly, the goal of cognitive-behavioral therapy is to discover patterns of thinking and behavior that hinder us from dealing with reality, and to help us acquire new, more effective patterns.
 
Mindfulness 

Mindfulness is the ability to fully and deliberately direct attention to the physical and mental experiences occurring in the present, just as they are. Most of us spend a significant part of our daily routine being distracted from the present moment. We wash dishes while thinking about something else, drive a car while listening to the radio, or eat and watch TV at the same time. The ability to be in one place and think about something else is an important ability, but sometimes this way of coping causes us to behave in an automatic mode, without noticing the changes in emotional state. Scientific studies indicate that a lack of attention to the experience in the present moment increases feelings of mental stress.

Mindfulness allows us to fully direct our attention to the sequence of sensations and emotions that arise in us moment by moment, without judgment or criticism. By practicing mindfulness we can become more aware of experiences we have not really noticed: thoughts, feelings and body sensations, or emotional states and thought patterns that repeat themselves. This increased awareness gives us greater freedom and choices in how we respond to different situations, and help us avoid getting stuck in stressful situations we’ve encountered in the past.
 
Medication

In addition to receiving psychological treatment at our clinic, you also have the option to explore the potential benefits of combining drug treatment and monitoring its effectiveness throughout your treatment journey. Our team includes an experienced senior psychiatrist, Dr. Raz Gross, who is available for consultation to help tailor your medication.