https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/relationship-and-trauma-insights/202003/what-most-people-dont-know-about-psychological-traumaThe roots of modern psychotherapy have have origins in Jewish thought, history, and intellectual traditions. Even though I am not religious, being Jewish has always been central to my identity. It surely influenced my becoming a psychotherapist; my father is one as well.

The Jewish influence on psychotherapy traces back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries: Many foundational figures in psychoanalysis were Jewish. Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, was an Austrian Jew. The broader Jewish community in Europe, particularly in cities like Vienna, was highly engaged in intellectual discourse, leading to advancements in mental health.

Freud’s development of psychoanalysis was influenced by the Jewish intellectual tradition of questioning, interpreting, and exploring the human psyche. Jewish scholars had studied human behavior, ethics, and morality, which are key themes in both religious and secular Jewish texts. Similarly, Freud's work sought to understand and treat the unconscious mind and human behavior that was of a psychological nature.

The Jewish cultural emphasis on education, intellectual exploration, and ethics led to the early development of psychotherapy. Jewish scholars and practitioners were among the first to explore the connections between mind and behavior and to establish psychotherapy as a legitimate field of practice and study.

One aspect of Jewish culture key to psychotherapy is the concept of *tikkun olam* ("repairing the world"), which emphasizes healing, both individually and collectively. This idea parallels the goals of psychotherapy, which seeks to heal and improve mental and relational well-being. The emphasis on self-reflection, moral responsibility, and pursuing knowledge in Jewish culture also aligns with principles of psychotherapy........

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