Dr Israel Berger (He/Him)
Therapist, MBBS, FRANZCP, PGCert(Youth Mental Health), MPsych, PhD(Psych), CCTP
In-Person in Bendigo, VIC 3550
Online in Australia
I offer online therapy to increase access to people who have trouble getting to an in person therapist or simply prefer online therapy. My psychotherapy approach is tailored to your needs and what works best for you. I have experience working with adolescents, adults, couples, and families, and I have worked with refugees, neurodivergent people, poly people, gay/lesbian/bi people, trans people, and intersex people with a variety of mental health concerns. Helping people overcome trauma is something I'm especially passionate about. I am also able to provide ADOS-2 autism assessments for adults and older teens.
Client Focus
Session Format: Couple, Family, Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult, Children, Senior, Teen, Young Adult
Demographic Expertise: Asian, Black / African American, Jewish, LGBTQ+, Middle Eastern, Muslim, Native American, Persons with Disabilities clients.
Languages: English
Treatment Approach
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) One of the most widely used approaches, CBT helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier patterns. It is effective for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns.
- Developmental Therapy Looks at how childhood and developmental experiences affect current challenges. It aims to repair unmet needs and foster healthy growth.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Combines CBT with mindfulness to help regulate emotions, tolerate stress, and build stronger relationships. Originally designed for borderline personality disorder, it’s now used more broadly.
- Eclectic Therapy Draws from different therapeutic methods based on what fits each client best. It is flexible and personalized rather than following one single model.
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Focuses on strengthening emotional bonds in couples or families. It helps people identify negative cycles and create more secure connections.
- Existential / Humanistic Therapy Encourages people to explore meaning, freedom, and authenticity in their lives. It focuses on personal growth and living in alignment with one’s values.
- Family Systems Therapy Looks at problems within the context of the family as a whole. It aims to improve communication and balance in family relationships.
- Gestalt Therapy Encourages awareness of thoughts, feelings, and actions in the present moment. It helps people integrate different parts of themselves for wholeness.
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy Based on decades of research, this method gives couples tools to improve communication, manage conflict, and strengthen intimacy.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) Helps clients heal by working with different ‘parts’ of themselves, like inner critics or wounded children. It fosters harmony within the self.
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) A short-term approach focused on improving relationships and social support. It is often used for depression and grief.
- Multicultural Therapy Acknowledges the role of culture, race, and identity in mental health. It values diversity and adapts treatment to each person’s background.
- Narrative Therapy Encourages people to view problems as separate from themselves and reframe their life story. It helps build resilience and self-identity.
- Object Relations Therapy Focuses on how early caregiver relationships shape current relationships. It aims to improve patterns of attachment and trust.
- Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) Emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and authenticity. It provides a safe space for self-discovery and growth.
- Psychodynamic Therapy Explores unconscious thoughts and patterns that influence current behavior. It builds insight into how the past impacts the present.
- Psychoeducational Therapy Provides education and coping tools about mental health conditions. It empowers clients with knowledge and practical skills.
- Social Learning Therapy Based on the idea that people learn behaviors by observing others. It applies modeling and reinforcement to encourage healthy change.
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Focuses on solutions and future goals rather than past problems. It is practical, short-term, and goal-driven.
Approach Description: I have been trained in a variety of approaches, so my approach depends on you. I like to know what has been helpful in the past and who you are before deciding on a particular approach. I have experience with structured psychotherapies such as CBT, DBT, and motivational interviewing as well as more unstructured psychotherapies like psychodynamic and humanistic approaches. I am also trained in a form of psychodynamic psychotherapy called the Conversational Model.
Fees & Insurance
Fees
- Average Session Fee Initial assessment $850, ongoing therapy $400
- Affordable sliding scale therapy: apply if you may be eligible.
- Please talk to me if you are having financial difficulties. I am unable to bulk-bill but am happy to come to an agreement about fees that you can afford, including payment plans.
- Out of Network
Education & Credentials
Dr Israel Berger MBBS, FRANZCP, PGCert(Youth Mental Health), MPsych, PhD(Psych), CCTP
- Male
- License # MED0002060456
- Licensed in VIC
- Practicing Since 2006
Education: I am a Fellow of the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP) with a PhD in Psychology, PGCert in Youth Mental Health, and Master of Psychiatry. I am currently completing an MMed in Pain Management. I think it is important to continually learn and improve.
Dr Israel Berger Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available In-Person in Bendigo, VIC 3550
- Available Online for residents of Australia
- Online Therapy Details: I mainly use Halaxy, but I am flexible if you prefer phone or a different video conferencing software.
At this time, I offering after hours online psychotherapy and autism assessments. I believe in online therapy, because more people can access quality therapy when available online from their location.