As Pesach concludes and we count toward Shavuot, many of us face familiar challenges: working off holiday indulgences, catching up on postponed work, planning summer vacations and preparing for final exams. While these may seem like manageable life events, for some they can feel overwhelming, leaving individuals unsure where to begin or how to cope.
Fortunately, in 2025, we view these challenges through a healthier lens than in decades past. Thirty years ago, mental health struggles were often hidden as family secrets. Today, we recognize that every family faces similar challenges, which has significantly reduced stigma and empowered individuals and families to seek professional support. However, with mental health acceptance only gaining traction in the Orthodox Jewish community over the past decade, many still don’t know where to turn for help.
Starting with a mental health counselor (MHC) can be an excellent first step. These professionals provide accessible, affordable and practical care tailored to everyday emotional and psychological challenges. Trained in evidence-based approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and solution-focused therapy, counselors help clients navigate anxiety, stress, relationship problems, grief, life transitions and more. For many, this level of support provides sufficient relief and equips them with new coping strategies. MHCs create supportive, nonjudgmental spaces for clients to explore their needs, and can recommend specialized treatment if necessary.
The growing demand for mental health support has increased the need for trained counselors, particularly within the Jewish Orthodox community. Culturally competent counselors who understand the values, traditions and sensitivities of Orthodox life can bridge the gap between mental health support and religious observance. These professionals offer guidance that respects religious practices while addressing psychological needs, making therapy more accessible and comfortable. As mental health awareness continues to grow in the community, Orthodox counselors play a crucial role in normalizing help-seeking behavior and supporting individuals with challenges like anxiety, depression, family dynamics and trauma in ways that honor halachic boundaries and communal norms.
Yeshiva University’s Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology has been a pioneer in mental health counseling for more than 15 years. Their master’s program in mental health counseling is rooted in values of diversity, social justice and equity, providing a deep understanding of the many types of problems that individuals face across the lifespan, and how to improve them. Students will complete a minimum of 600 supervised field placement hours before graduation and the program boasts over 50 field placement affiliates in the tristate area. Available in three different modalities, in-person, live online and anytime online, students can find the format that fits their lifestyle and best learning mode.
As our community continues to embrace mental health support as an essential part of overall well-being, the opportunity to make a meaningful difference has never been greater. Whether you’re considering a career change, looking to enhance your professional skills, or have always felt called to help others through difficult times, becoming a mental health counselor offers a path to fulfill that mission while addressing a critical need in our community. The stigma is lifting, but the work of healing continues — and trained professionals from within our own community are uniquely positioned to lead the way.
For more information about starting a career as a MHC, contact Jozette Kauffman at [email protected].
Beth Chesir is director of enrollment and career services, YU Global. Email Beth at [email protected] to plan your organizational learning needs and build a framework that drives success across your company.
