Niv Nirel Center

Niv Nirel Executive Summary

PTSD Center Origins

• Founder’s Story: Tami founded the center after losing her daughter and her daughter’s boyfriend in the October 7 attacks. Motivated by their shared background in trauma therapy, she created a healing space to meet urgent mental health needs

Niv Raviv with her fiancé Nirel Zini

• Co-Founder: Kfir, a psychiatrist with extensive trauma experience and a former head of a crisis intervention department, has been active in military trauma response since October 8

Center Operations & Approach

• Innovative Model:
  • Open Access: Services are offered without government recognition or cost to patients
  • Comprehensive Care: Includes individual, family, and group therapy, neurostimulation, yoga, movement, art, and touch therapy
  • Community Emphasis: Builds a long-term support network and sense of belonging
• Facility: Located in a home-like setting near the sea, currently undergoing renovations to expand capacity and build a community conference center
• Demographics: Serves over 150 patients, more than one-third of whom are female veterans. Also provides therapy for families
• Staff: Over 30 trauma-informed professionals, many of whom are active reservists

Innovations & Research

• MDMA-Assisted Therapy: One of only two centers in Israel conducting group MDMA therapy trials for PTSD
• Returning Combat Veterans: Faces the unique challenge of treating patients who repeatedly return to combat—an issue with no existing global research
• Therapist Support: Active efforts to prevent compassion fatigue and burnout among staff
• Global Collaboration: Partnering with Mount Sinai, Columbia University, and exploring additional research exchanges, including with Canadian institutions

Access & Outreach

• Growth Strategy: Began with word-of-mouth and social media; now expanding cautiously to avoid overwhelming resources
• Volunteer-Driven: Built and sustained by youth and community volunteers; funded entirely through donations

Challenges & Open Questions

• Licensing: U.S. and Canadian clinicians face barriers to practicing in Israel; research and support roles are more feasible
• Scaling Responsibly: Careful not to sacrifice quality amid high demand
• Knowledge Sharing: Committed to publishing protocols and insights to support global trauma care communities

Future Directions

• Facility Development: Construction of a new conference and community center for support, training, and education
• Expanded Programs: Launching new group-based therapies including running, surfing, and expressive arts
• Training & Education: Providing trauma-awareness and first-aid training to local welfare professionals

Closing & Next Steps

• Mutual Appreciation: Both groups expressed gratitude and a shared commitment to ongoing collaboration
• Action Items: Plans to circulate videos, resources, and explore future pathways for involvement
• Engagement: Professionals interested in research or volunteering are encouraged to reach out

Notable Quotes

“We are not only offering therapy, but also rehabilitation and community.”
“There is no literature about veterans with PTSD going back to where everything happened. We have to write the protocols ourselves.”
“The need and demand are unbelievable.”

Resources

• Niv Nirel Center Newsletter
• Zoom Presentation by Niv Nirel to Israel Trauma Mission 2025-06-19

Donate to Niv Nirel Center

Bios

Tami Raviv founded Niv  Nirel Center, a holistic trauma rehabilitation center to support victims of October 7 and honor her daughter’s legacy.

Kfir Feffer is Head of Treatment and Crisis Intervention at Niv  Nirel Center.