The Feuerstein Institute | Cognitive Development for All Ages

Jerusalem Post Opinion Feature: Chava Dardik Explains Post-Trauma Recovery with the Feuerstein Method

Written by Ruthie Cohen

November 3rd 2025

Signage for the Feuerstein Institute’s Post-Trauma Rehabilitation Department, written in Hebrew, at the Jerusalem location.
Entrance to the Feuerstein Institute’s Post-Trauma Rehabilitation Department in Jerusalem.

Featured in the Jerusalem Post

We’re proud to share that the Feuerstein Institute was recently featured in the Jerusalem Post in an opinion article by Chava Dardik, our Director of Rehabilitation Centers.

Titled “The Invisible Injury: Overcoming the Cognitive Impact of Post-Trauma,” the piece explores how cognitive rehabilitation can help individuals rebuild their ability to think, plan, and regain a sense of identity after trauma.

The Hidden Side of Post-Trauma

While most people associate trauma with emotional distress—fear, anxiety, or sadness—it also has profound cognitive effects.
Memory lapses, scattered attention, and difficulty completing daily tasks can leave individuals feeling lost in a “mental fog.”

Recognizing that these struggles are not a sign of weakness but a functional impairment opens the door to hope and recovery.

Interior of the waiting area at the Feuerstein Institute’s post-trauma rehabilitation department, showing seating, natural lighting, and a welcoming environment.
Patients and visitors can sit comfortably in waiting area of the Feuerstein Institute’s Post-Trauma Rehabilitation Department.

The Feuerstein Method: Rebuilding Thinking

At the heart of the Feuerstein Method is Prof. Reuven Feuerstein’s groundbreaking principle:


"Human intelligence is not fixed—it can be changed."
Prof. Reuven Feuerstein
President

Through Instrumental Enrichment (IE), the Institute helps individuals strengthen cognitive and metacognitive skills—key tools for learning, problem-solving, and daily decision-making.
Each rehabilitation plan is personalized, beginning with an in-depth assessment and leading to clear, achievable goals—whether returning to work, continuing studies, or regaining independence.

Cognitive training is integrated with occupational, speech, group, and emotional therapies, helping individuals not only think more clearly but also reconnect socially and re-engage fully with life.

Why This Matters Now

Since the Israel-Hamas War, the number of people coping with post-trauma has steadily increased. Addressing only the emotional aspects of trauma is not enough—true recovery requires rebuilding cognitive function.

Cognitive rehabilitation restores function, identity, and dignity, giving individuals the tools to regain control, clarity, and purpose.

Read the Full Article

Read the full Jerusalem Post opinion piece here:

“The Invisible Injury: Overcoming the Cognitive Impact of Post-Trauma”

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