Essays on the Interface of Psychology, Psychotherapy and Judaism

The author of this slim volume is a senior clinical psychologist who has worked in a variety of mental health facilities in the U.S. and Israel for over half a century. The topics and issues discussed in this book include psychological effects of extreme standards of modesty, fake psychologists, cross-gender therapy, psychological wisdom of the sages, attitude of ultra-orthodox rabbis toward psychological treatment and contemporary responsa to psychological treatment options, amongst others. His latest book (in press) is entitled Casebook of Unconventional Psychotherapy (L. R. Price Publications).I read this book with great interest. Dr. Hoffman provides the reader with a comprehensive review of the major challenges and controversies at the interface of psychology and Judaism. He cites a wide range of viewpoints and opinions from both Rabbinic and mental health perspectives. This will undoubtedly stimulate further discussion and hopefully promote increased collaboration between Rabbinical figures and mental health professionals.(Rabbi Dr. Ben Zion Sorotzkin is a prominent American clinical psycho­logist, author of many scholarly papers on psychology, psychotherapy, Jewish Law and Judaism, including Chinuch: Beyond the Surface Second Edition, 2020.)