Meet Our Team

Talia Kaplan, PsyD, a Licensed Clinical and School Psychologist, leads with expertise and compassion. As the director and founder of our practice, Dr. Kaplan brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her work. Specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), she offers comprehensive support for both children and adults. With a versatile background spanning private practice, schools, and psychiatric hospitals, Dr. Kaplan's insights have been honed through diverse settings. Her commitment to education extends beyond her practice, as she has shared her knowledge with students at renowned institutions like NYU and CUNY. Previously serving as a school psychologist in the Jerusalem school district, she brings a global perspective to her work. Dr. Kaplan's approach is marked by warmth, flexibility, and a resolute focus on achieving goals, ensuring each client receives personalized care tailored to their unique needs. Graduating from Pace University, she embodies a blend of academic rigor and compassionate care in her practice.

Yael Wahrhaftig-Miller, PsyD is a licensed Educational Psychologist specializing in working with children, parents, and young adults. With a specialty in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Yael is dedicated to providing evidence-based care to individuals of all ages. She completed her doctoral training at Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, and has worked in both school and clinical settings in New York and Montreal, Canada. Additionally, she is recognized as an Israeli Specialist (מומחית) in Educational Psychology.

Since making aliyah to Israel in 2014, Yael has served for over 8 years as a School Psychologist for municipal pre-schools, elementary, and middle school settings in Efrat. She has also headed the Olim Mental Health Services for the Psychology Department of Efrat. Through both her professional experience and personal experience as a mother of four olim children, Yael has gained a deep understanding of the unique challenges of integration that these children and their families face upon making aliyah.

Yael is passionate about including parents in the therapy process and strengthening the parent-child connection. She is fluent in both English and Hebrew, allowing her to effectively navigate the Israeli school system and provide comprehensive support to clients in both languages. This year, she joined the Machon Kesher team, where she is currently working full-time. Yael’s warmth and playful personality help her clients feel comfortable and connect quickly. Coupled with her direct, goal-oriented approach, she strives to help all of her clients effectively address their most pressing needs in an effective and efficient manner. 

Elisheva is a clinical social worker originally from New York. She made aliyah with her family three and a half years ago and brings both personal and professional insight in to her work with children, adolescents and adults.

Elisheva  specializes in supporting individuals navigating adjustment difficulties, anxiety, and depression, and provides parent guidance (Hadrachat Horim) within the DBT-C model. Elisheva trained in DBT-C with Dr. Francheska Perepletchikova's training program.  Her approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in evidence-based practices.

Prior to joining Machon Kesher, Elisheva previously served as Director of Student Services at Shalhevet High School for Girls, where she provided comprehensive social-emotional support and developed programming for the student body. In this role, she spearheaded the Cornerstone Program, designed to support students who may struggle in mainstream classroom settings. She also coordinated special education services and worked closely with the Valley Stream District to develop and implement IEPs, serving as a liaison between the school and external providers.

In addition to her work in schools, Elisheva has extensive clinical experience across a range of settings, including the National Eating Disorders Association, the Queens Family Court system, and private practice at the Arista Center in Forest Hills, NY. She has worked with high-risk populations and brings both sensitivity and confidence to complex cases

Bracha Bodner is an American Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Israeli psychotherapist who specializes in child and adolescent care. Before joining Machon Kesher, Bracha gained extensive experience in intensive clinical settings, including Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP).

She specializes in treating children, adolescents and adults diagnosed with anxiety, OCD, mood disorders, self-harm, and suicidal ideation through both individual and group therapy. Bracha utilizes evidence-based modalities—including DBT, CBT, ACT, ERP, and SPACE—to help families build practical coping skills and emotional resilience. By fostering a safe, supportive environment, she ensures her clients feel truly seen and heard as they navigate life’s challenges.