One Year On: Dr. Oded Arbel on Healing the Trauma of Oct 7 with Psychiatry, Mindfulness and Psychedelic Therapy

In the year since October 7th, an unprecedented wave of trauma has deeply affected the Israeli psyche. One year later, I am honored to welcome an extraordinary guest, Oded Arbel—a leading psychiatrist who has intensified his efforts to help soldiers and citizens heal from trauma since that fateful day. Oded manages the 'Gevim' day care unit at the Be'er Sheva Mental Health Center, where he treats complex cases of trauma, including sexual trauma. He is also the head psychiatrist for the Israeli army and for soldiers returning from Gaza. Our conversation dives into his unique approach to mental health care, which seamlessly integrates traditional psychotherapy with meditation practices. He opens up about his personal meditation journey and how he guides both patients and medical staff through these techniques to foster mental resilience. We also explore his pioneering work with psychedelics in clinical research, pushing the boundaries of therapeutic treatment. Beyond his professional life, he shares insights on what he believes is crucial for Israelis to cope with the ongoing challenges and trauma they face. With a rich background that includes teaching Buddhist mindfulness, holding a black belt in martial arts, and a passion for diving, his perspective is as holistic as it is grounded. Join us for this enlightening conversation about healing, resilience, and the intersection of body, mind, and spirit. Oded Arbel is an expert psychiatrist and a graduate of both the School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University and its Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy program. In addition to his work in the public health sector, he offers psychotherapy and counseling in a private setting at his clinics in Tel Aviv and Tal Shahar. He is deeply involved in facilitating meditation groups for patients and staff, providing individual therapy for various disorders, and teaching therapists in Buddhist mind theory and mindfulness-based approaches. Oded specialized in psychiatry at the "Shalvata" Mental Health Center in Hod Hasharon. He is the founder and head of the mindfulness clinic at the Be'er Sheva Mental Health Center, where he established an experience-based psychotherapy training program with a Buddhist Zen orientation. His pioneering work in the field includes leading the psychedelic treatment and research unit at the hospital and co-founding the psychedelic psychotherapy program. His therapeutic approach blends dynamic, psychoanalytical methods with experience-based psychotherapy grounded in the body. Oded is a graduate of the therapist program at the Psychodharma Center, which combines Buddhist practices with various professional therapeutic disciplines. He continues to teach at the center as a member of its staff. With extensive experience in guiding both meditation groups and therapeutic groups that employ mindfulness-based and dynamic approaches, Oded has a unique and integrative perspective on mental health care. He is also a qualified shiatsu therapist, holds a black belt in karate, and is a diving instructor. A student of Prof. Yaakov Raz, Oded practices and teaches in the Zen Buddhist tradition. He lives in Tal-Shachar, where he grows 450 trees and raises his two sons. ** To never miss an episode and to support RAW, please consider rating and subscribing to the podcast.