Mental Health Decoded with Mordechai

Question 1 – I’ve been in therapy for the past five years. Now that I’m past the major struggles, I wish someone had told me what to expect moving forward and reassured me that it’s okay. Why isn’t this kind of guidance given more often?

Question 2 – My son is being bullied in class, and we don’t fully know what’s happening. What can we do as parents?

Question 3 – Why do I find it difficult to show appreciation to others, even when they’ve helped me?

Question 4 – I have a general question: Where is the line between discipline and abuse?

Question 5 – My therapist was on vacation for five weeks this summer, and now I’m dreading my upcoming session. Why might I feel this way? 

Question 1 – I have tried many different therapy modalities, and somatic work helps me the most. However, I’ve noticed that the last 10 years of my life feel cloudy and fuzzy. Why is that?

Question 2 – When I don’t remember things, such as forgetting appointments or tasks I need to do, what is causing that? What might be wrong with me?

Question 3 – I am in therapy, but I constantly doubt myself. The only work that really helps me is somatic and deeper therapy. Still, my strong denial keeps coming up again and again. Will I need to be in therapy forever till I get rid of the denial?

Question 4 – What is the difference between behavioral therapy and somatic therapy?

Question 5 – I’ve struggled with weight, and my doctor referred me to OA (Overeaters Anonymous). What is known about the long-term success of OA?

Question 6 – (Aryeh) How can we help a horse gain weight?Question 7 – Why is it that some women can cry the moment they light Shabbos candles, but I can’t cry even for someone close to me who is very sick? 

Question 1 – Why would people share positive information before a shidduch and then this girl goes off the derech a few months after getting married?

Feedback 2 – This is in response to the previous question.

Question 3 – I have been seeing a therapist and doing a lot of somatic work. Over time, I developed a strong connection to my therapist. Because of the intensity of the work, I find myself constantly thinking about my therapist, and I am still struggling. What should I do now?

Question 4 – I am a yeshiva bochur over the age of 20. I feel restless in the afternoons when it comes to learning. For some reason, the beginning of a new zman feels especially difficult, and I don’t yet have all my chavrusas? Why am I so restless? 

Question 4B – Last year I shared with friends that my grandmother is in the hospital. They suggested that I speak to a therapist, but my parents don’t think I need one. Do I need to speak to a therapist? 

Question 5 – My wife struggles with weight loss. She goes from one expensive diet to another, many of them extreme. We’ve tried everything, but nothing lasts. Is this simply a matter of self-control? What can I do as a husband? 

Question 1 continued from last program: 8/25/25 program 2 (1257) Q4 The therapist says he feels that he understands the client, but the client doesn’t feel the therapist truly gets him. What should be done?

Feedback 2 – Aryeh: “The horse is officially getting trauma therapy for his trauma.”Question 3 – I struggle with a behavioral issue. I am a child of divorced parents. I was told by Daas Torah that no matter how amicable a divorce is, it always results in trauma. Is this true? Can I heal by myself without a therapist? 

Question 1 – I am an MSW student and learning a lot. A 16-year-old child diagnosed in 8th grade with ADHD. With a lot of effort we found the right medication. He isn’t very cooperative and doesn't feel good about needing medication. They are oppositional and resistant. What do I do?

Question 2 – I have trauma and my first therapist was gentle but progress was slow. A year ago, I switched to a new therapist who is much more invasive. After sessions I crash for a week and then feel a lingering low. With my old therapist, I didn’t crash, but I also didn’t see much progress. What should I consider?

Question 3 – What is TRE therapy? Is it evidence-based? I understand it is a somatic form of therapy.Question 4 – Follow-up from the Bochur on last week’s 8/18/25 program 1 (1254), question 3. He wants to ask about EMDR. The therapist says he feels that he understands the client, but the client doesn’t feel the therapist truly gets him. What should be done? 

Question 1: Is it common for complicated people to rewrite reality, criticize, make sharing difficult and have you believe that you are the issue?

Question 2: My daughter’s school trip requires a waiver saying they aren’t responsible for any harm. This scares me. Is it okay if she’s the only one not going?

Question 3: After a car accident, when and for how long is it okay to be a “backseat driver”? How can I help a sibling who is now afraid of long car trips?Question 4: What are some ways to stay calm before a blood test?

Question 1: My 7-year-old with social anxiety, transitioning from special ed to mainstream yeshiva, says “I want to die, it’s so hard.” Should I worry?

Question 2: What is the function of denial, and how can you protect yourself from someone in denial?

Question 3: As a bochur, I find I rely on my therapist for everything instead of handling things myself. Is this healthy?

Question 1 I am calling on behalf of a friend who suffers from OCD. She has tried both therapy and medication, but neither has worked. Could she try TMS?

Listener Feedback (related to TMS) I wanted to share my thoughts on TMS. It can help a person get out of the loop, but it is still important to combine it with therapy so they can do the necessary work.

Question 3 Last week, you discussed a mother saying her son should not be home and should be outside. Isn’t it okay if a child wants quiet time and prefers to spend time by himself?

Question 4 Aryeh’s follow-up about what was said on program #1247 regarding horses not understanding words.

Question 5 Feedback on a previous caller from program #1257, question 3: The caller described someone who is perfect on the outside but struggling on the inside. I relate to this. I had help from my mother, but it wasn’t working for me. Now I need more help—who should I go to?

Question 6 I am currently doing therapy over the phone. Is it better to have therapy over the phone, via Zoom, or in person?

Question 7 If a young adult stops talking to a therapist, can the parents reach out to the therapist at a later time for some time and guidance without feeling guilty about taking the therapist’s time without paying for it?Question 8 You wrote a Yated article about someone who extended themselves to help a complicated family member. You emphasized the importance of investing in family and being able to handle challenges without disengaging every time it gets hard. Can you elaborate on this? 

Question 1 I was accepted into the MSW field but had also applied to an MHC program. What is the difference between these two programs?

Question 2 I’m working on my assertiveness and have a question: When there is a choice for a therapist between two clients, how does the therapist decide which client to choose?

Question 3 How can I share with my therapist what happened between our sessions? My therapist is from my neighborhood, and she might say, “On the outside you’re doing so well, so what do you mean you’re not doing well on the inside?”

Question 4 I called a few months ago about therapy. I played the question to my therapist, and it helped us work things out. I’d like to raise awareness about the importance of sleep, as lack of sleep can make challenges such as depression, anxiety, and other issues much worse. 

Question 1:  Aryeh called in about a horse that experienced trauma. 

Question 2A: Is it true that people who are less self-aware often seem more confident, simply because they’re not noticing all the potential pitfalls?

Question 2B: I have a child who is very intuitive and emotionally aware — she constantly feels and absorbs what’s going on around her. How can I help her find balance and not be overwhelmed by her emotions?

Question 3: Caller #2 gave her daughter the exact advice a professional gave her for her daughter. Why isnt MW saying that this is the correct tool for worry? Mordechai Weinberger mentioned an additional six skills to hep children feeling worry and overwhelm

Question 4 (follow-up to Question 2):
My 9-year-old is a deep thinker with a strong personality. If he feels something is wrong, he’ll immediately call it out — even to friends. As a result, he struggles socially and has no close friends. How can we support him while helping him develop better peer relationships?Question 5:I’ve taken a break from therapy, and I feel like the longer the break goes on, the harder it is to return. In some ways, the break gives me space, but I also wonder if I’m avoiding something. IFS (Internal Family Systems) was used with this caller.