Meet Dr. Danieli, Founding Director of The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
YAEL DANIELI, Ph.D.
Dr. Yael Danieli is a clinical psychologist in private practice, a victimologist, traumatologist, and the Director of the Group Project for Holocaust Survivors and their Children, which she co-founded in 1975 in the New York City area. She has done extensive psychotherapeutic work with survivors and children of survivors on individual, family, group and community bases. She has studied in depth post-war responses and attitudes toward them, and the impact these and the Holocaust had on their lives. She has lectured and published worldwide in numerous books and journals, translated into at least 11 languages on optimal care and training for this and other victim/survivor populations, and received several awards for her work, the most recent of which is the Lifetime Achievement Award of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS). Most recently she has been appointed consultant to the International Criminal Court on issues related to victims and staff care. She has served as consultant to South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Rwanda government on reparations for victims, and has led an ongoing Project (Promoting a Dialogue: “Democracy Cannot Be Built with the Hands of Broken Souls”) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Her books are International responses to traumatic stress...; The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Fifty years and beyond; Sharing the front line and the back hills (Baywood) all published for and on behalf of the United Nations; International handbook of multigenerational legacies of trauma (Kluwer/ Plenum); and The trauma of terrorism: An international Handbook of sharing knowledge and shared care (Haworth Press). She is the Director of Psychological Services for the Center for Rehabilitation of Torture Victims, and Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine at Seton Hall University School of Graduate Medical Education in New Jersey. Dr. Danieli is also Founding President of the International network of Holocaust and Genocide Survivors and their Friends.
A Founding Director of The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Dr. Danieli was its (1988-1989) President. The Initial Report of her Presidential Task Force on Curriculum, Education, and Training for professionals working with victim/survivors was adopted by the United Nations E/AC.57/1990/NGO.3). Currently she co-chairs the ISTSS Task Force on International Trauma Training.
Dr. Danieli has been the Senior Representative to the United Nations of the World Federation for Mental Health and of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, serving also as Vice-Chair of the Executive Committee of Non-Governmental Organizations Associated with the UN Department of Public Information and Chair of its Publications Committee. A Founding Member of WFMH’s Scientific Committee on the Mental Health Needs of Victims, and its Chair, she has been active in developing, promoting, adapting and implementing the United Nations Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power (A/RES/40/34) and all subsequent UN victims-related work, including their right to reparation (E/CN.4/Sub.2/1996/17) and their role in the International Criminal Court.
She has served as Consultant to the UN Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Branch, on the Board of its International Scientific and Professional Advisory Council and the Executive Committee of the Alliance of NGOs on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice; also, consultant to the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and various governments on trauma and victim/survivor’s rights and care. In the US, she has consulted for the National Institute of Mental Health, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and, among other news organizations, Associated press and CNN.
Concurrent with a variety of clinical training and work, during 1970-1977 she taught Psychology at Brooklyn College and John Jay College for Criminal Justice of the City University of New York, has been faculty member and supervisor at the (U.S.) National Institute for the Psychotherapies.
Before arriving in the United States (for a Doctorate in Psychology at New York University earned in 1981), she served as a Sergeant in the Israeli Armed Forces, earned degrees, taught and wrote in music, philosophy and psychology.
PARTIAL LIST OF PUBLICATIONS
Articles/Chapters
Danieli, Y. (1974). Psychotherapy and related personality concepts. In L. Wheeler, R.A. Goodale & J. Deese, General psychology. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, Inc.
Danieli, Y. (1975). Background and orientation: Behavior Therapy, Gestalt therapy, Psychoanalysis. In C. A. Loew, H. Grayson & G.H. Loew, Three psychotherapies: A clinical comparison. New York: Brunner/Mazel Publishers.
Danieli, Y. (1976). Intentional groups with a specific problem orientation focus [with David Hays]. In M. Rosenbaum & A. Snadovsky (Eds.), The intensive group experience: A guide. New York: The Free Press
Danieli, Y. (1980). Countertransference in the treatment and study of Nazi Holocaust survivors and their children. Victimology: An International Journal, 5(2-4), 355-367.
Danieli, Y. (1981a). Differing adaptational styles in families of survivors of the Nazi Holocaust: Some implications for treatment. Children Today, 10(5), 6-10, 34-35.
Danieli, Y. (1981b). Exploring the factors in Jewish identity formation (in children of survivors). In Consultation on the psycho-dynamics of Jewish identity: Summary of proceedings (pp. 22-25). American Jewish committee and the Central Conference of American Rabbis, March 15-16, 1981.
Danieli, Y. (1981c). Matching interventions to different adaptational styles of survivors. In Massuah: A yearbook on the Holocaust and heroism (Vol. 9). Tel-Aviv: M. Stern Press. (In Hebrew.)
Danieli, Y. (1981d). On the achievement of integration in aging survivors of the Nazi Holocaust. Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 14(2), 191-210.
Danieli, Y. (1981e). The group project for Holocaust survivors and their children. Children Today, 10(5), 11, 33.
Danieli, Y. (1982a). Therapists' difficulties in treating survivors of the Nazi Holocaust and their children. Dissertation Abstracts International, 42(12-B, Pt 1), 4927. (UMI No. 949-904).
Danieli, Y. (1982b). Group project for Holocaust survivors and their children. Prepared for the National Institute of Mental Health, Mental Health Services Branch. Contract #092424762. Washington, DC.
Danieli, Y. (1982c). Families of survivors of the Nazi Holocaust: Some short- and long-term effects. In C. D. Spielberger, I. G. Sarason, & N. Milgram (Eds.), Stress and anxiety (Vol. 8)(pp. 405-421). New York: McGraw-Hill/Hemisphere.
Danieli, Y. (1984a). Psychotherapists' participation in the conspiracy of silence about the Holocaust. Psychoanalytic Psychology, 1(1), 23-42.
Danieli, Y. (1984b). The impact of Holocaust experience on families of survivors living in the United States. In The Nazi concentration camps: Proceedings of the fourth Yad Vashem international historical conference (pp. 603-619). Jerusalem: Yad Vashem.
Danieli, Y. (1985a). Separation and loss in families of survivors of the Nazi Holocaust. Academy Forum, 29(2), 7-10.
Danieli, Y. (1985b). The treatment and prevention of long-term effects and intergenerational transmission of victimization: A lesson from Holocaust survivors and their children. In C. R. Figley (Ed.), Trauma and its wake (pp. 295-313). New York: Brunner/Mazel.
Danieli, Y. (1988a). Confronting the unimaginable: Psychotherapists' reactions to victims of the Nazi Holocaust. In J. P. Wilson, Z. Harel, & B. Kahana (Eds.), Human adaptation to extreme stress (pp. 219-238). New York: Plenum.
Danieli, Y. (1988b). The heterogeneity of postwar adaptation in families of Holocaust survivors. In R. L. Braham (Ed.), The psychological perspectives of the holocaust and of its aftermath (pp. 109-128). New York: Columbia University Press.
Danieli, Y. (1988c). Treating survivors and children of survivors of the Nazi Holocaust. In F. M. Ochberg (Ed.), Post-traumatic therapy and victims of violence (pp. 278-294). New York: Brunner/Mazel.
Danieli, Y. (1988d). The use of mutual support approaches in the treatment of victims. In E. Chigier (Ed.), Grief and bereavement in contemporary society: Vol. 3. Support Systems (pp. 116-123). London: Freund Publishing House.
Danieli, Y. (1988e). On not confronting the Holocaust: Psychological reactions to victim/survivors and their children. In Remembering for the future, Theme II: The impact of the Holocaust on the contemporary world (pp. 1257-1271). Oxford: Pergamon Press.
Danieli, Y. (1989). Mourning in survivors and children of survivors of the Nazi Holocaust: The role of group and community modalities. In D. R. Dietrich, & P. C. Shabad (Eds.), The problem of loss and mourning: Psychoanalytic perspectives (pp. 427-460). Madison: International Universities Press.
Danieli, Y. (1992). Preliminary reflections from a psychological perspective. In T.C. van Boven C. Flinterman, F. Grunfeld & I. Westendorp (Eds.) The Right to Restitution, Compensation and Rehabilitation for Victims of Gross Violations of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Netherlands Institute of Human Rights [Studieen Informatiecentrum Mensenrechten], Special issue No. 12 (pp. 196-213). Also published in N.J. Kritz (Ed.)(1995). Transitional justice: How emerging democracies reckon with former regimes. 1 (pp. 572-582). Washington, D.C.: United States Institute of Peace.
Danieli, Y. (1993). The diagnostic and therapeutic use of the multi-generational family tree in working with survivors and children of survivors of the Nazi Holocaust. In J. P. Wilson & B. Raphael (Eds.) International handbook of traumatic stress syndromes. [Stress and Coping Series, Donald Meichenbaum, Series Editor]. (pp. 889-898). New York: Plenum Publishing.
Danieli, Y. (1994a). Countertransference, trauma and training. In J.P. Wilson and J. Lindy (Eds.) Countertransference in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (pp. 368-388). New York: Guilford Press.
Danieli, Y. (1994b). As survivors age - Part I. National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Clinical Quarterly, 4(1), 1-7.
Danieli, Y. (1994c). As survivors age - Part II. National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Clinical Quarterly, 4(2), 20-24.
Danieli, Y. (1994d). Silence no longer. Generation: A Journal of Australian Jewish Life, Thought and Community, 4(1), 35-37.
Danieli, Y. (1994e). Countertransference and trauma: Self healing and training issues. In M.B. Williams and J.F. Sommer, Jr. (Eds.) Handbook of post-traumatic therapy (pp. 540-550). Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood/Praeger Publishing Co.
Danieli, Y. (1994f). Trauma to the family: Intergenerational sources of vulnerability and resilience. In J.T. Reese and E. Scrivner (Eds.) The law enforcement families: issues and answers (pp. 163-175). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Danieli, Y. (1994g). Resilience and hope. Children Worldwide (pp. 47-49). Geneva: International Catholic Child Bureau.
Danieli, Y. (1994h). A global response to crisis. In M.A. Young (Ed.) 2001: The next generation in victim assistance (pp. 83-89). Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall-Hunt Publishers.
Krystal, H. & Danieli, Y. (1994i). Holocaust survivor studies in the context of PTSD. National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Research Quarterly, 5(4), 1-5.
Danieli, Y. (1995a). Foreword. In R.J. Kleber, C.R. Figley and B P.R. Gersons (Eds.), Beyond trauma: cultural and societal dynamics. New York: Plenum Publishing Corporation. In press.
Danieli, Y. (1995b). Collaborative organizational involvements the role of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. In A.S. Kalayjian (Ed.), Disaster and mass trauma: Global perspectives on post disaster mental health management (pp. 215-217). Long Branch, NJ: Vista Publishing, Inc.
Danieli, Y. (1995c). Countertransference and training. In A.S. Kalayjian (Ed.), Disaster and mass trauma: Global perspectives on post disaster mental health management (pp. 165-173). Long Branch, NJ: Vista Publishing, Inc.
Smith, B., Agger, I., Danieli, Y. and Weisaeth, L. (1996a). Emotional responses of international humanitarian aid workers. In Danieli, Y., Rodley, N. & Weisaeth, L. (Eds.) (1996). International responses to traumatic stress: Humanitarian, Human rights, justice, peace and development contributions, collaborative actions and future initiatives (pp. 397-423). Published for and on behalf of the United Nations by Baywood Publishing Company, Inc., Amityville, New York.
Danieli, Y. (1996b). Who takes care of the caretakers? The emotional life of those working with children in situations of violence. In R.J. Appel and B. Simon (Eds.) Minefields in their hearts: The mental health of children in war and communal violence (pp. 189-205). New Haven: Yale University Press.
Danieli, Y. (1997). As survivors age: an overview. Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 30(1), (9- 26).
Danieli, Y. (1998). Justice and reparation: steps in the process of healing, in Christopher C. Joyner (ed.), Reining in impunity for international crimes and serious violations of fundamental human rights: Proceedings of the Siracusa conference 17-21 September 1998. International Review of Penal Law, 14, pp. 303-312.
Danieli, Y. (1999a). Intergenerational legacies of trauma in police families. In J.M. Violanti & D. Paton (Eds.) (1998). Police trauma: Psychological aftermath of civilian combat. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas Publisher.
Engdahl, B., Kastrup, M., Jaranson, J., and Danieli, Y. (1999b). The impact of traumatic human rights violations on victims and the mental health profession's response. In Y. Danieli, E. Stamatopoulou, & C. J. Dias (Eds.) The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Fifty years and beyond (pp. 337-335). Published for and on behalf of the United Nations by Baywood Publishing Company, Inc., Amityville, New York.
Sirkin, S., Iacopino, V., Grodin, M. and Danieli, Y. (1999c). The role of health professionals in protecting and promoting human rights: a paradigm for professional responsibility. In Y. Danieli, E. Stamatopoulou, & C. J. Dias (Eds.), The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Fifty years and beyond (pp. 357-369). Published for and on behalf of the United Nations by Baywood Publishing Company, Inc., Amityville, New York.
Danieli, Y. (1999d). Healing components: The right to reparation for victims of gross violations of human rights and humanitarian law. In M. Hayse, D. Pollefeyt, G.J.Colijn, & M. Sachs Littell (Eds.) Hearing the voices: Teaching the Holocaust to future generations (pp. 219-233). Merion Station, Pennsylvania: Merion Westfield Press International
Danieli, Y. (2001). International Responses to Traumatic Stress. In Roth, J.K. Maxwell, E. (Eds.) Remembering for the future: The Holocaust in an age of genocide 3(pp. 63-77). Basingstoke: Palgrave.
Danieli, Y. (2001). ISTSS members participate in recovery efforts in New York and Washington, DC. Traumatic Stress Points, 15(4), 4.
Weine, S., Danieli, Y., Silove, D., Van Ommeren, M., Fairbank J.A. & Saul, J. (2002). Guidelines for international training in mental health and psychosocial interventions for trauma exposed populations in clinical and community settings. Psychiatry, 65(2),156-164.
Danieli, Y., Engdahl, B. & Schlenger, W.E. (2003). The psychological aftermath of terrorism. In F.M. Moghaddam & Marsella, A.J. (Eds.), Understanding terrorism: Psychological roots, consequences, and interventions (pp. 223-246). Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association.
Danieli, Y. (2004). Victims: Essential Voices at the Court. The bulletin of the Victims' Rights Working Group. 1, Sept. 2004, (p. 6). London: The Redress Trust
Danieli, Y. (2005). On rehabilitation. In D. Shelton (ed.), Encyclopedia of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity, Vol. 2 (pp. 278-880). Detroit, MI: Macmillan Reference USA.
Books
Danieli, Y., & Krystal, J. H. (1989). The initial report of the presidential task force on curriculum, education and training of the Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. Chicago: The Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.
Danieli, Y., Rodley, N.S., & Weisaeth, L. (Eds.)(1996). International responses to traumatic stress: Humanitarian, human rights, justice, peace and development contributions, collaborative actions and future initiatives. Published for and on behalf of the United Nations by Baywood Publishing Company, Inc., Amityville, New York.
Danieli, Y. (Ed.) (1998). International handbook of multigenerational legacies of trauma. New York: Kluwer Academic/ Plenum Publishing Corporation.
Danieli, Y., Stamatopoulou, E., & Clarence J. Dias (Eds.)(1999). The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Fifty years and beyond. Published for and on behalf of the United Nations by Baywood Publishing Company, Inc., Amityville, New York.
Danieli, Y. (Ed.).(2002). Sharing the front line and the back hills: International protectors and providers, peacekeepers, humanitarian aid workers and the media in the midst of crisis. Amityville, New York: Baywood Publishing Company, Inc.
[Some of the articles/books have been/are translated and published also in Arabic, Bosnian, Croatian, Dutch, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Russian, Serb, and Spanish].
Articles/chapters in press:
Danieli, Y. & Nader, K. (intended, 2005) Respecting cultural, religious and ethnic differences in the prevention and treatment of psychological sequelae. In Schein, L., Spitz, G., Burlingame, H. & Muskin, P. (Eds.) Group approaches for the psychological effects of terrorist events (pp. XXX-XXX). Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Press
Danieli, Y. (intended, 2005). Groups for Mental health professionals to limit secondary exposure, countertransference, and vicarious traumatization. In Schein, L., Spitz, G., Burlingame, H., & Muskin, P.(Eds.) Group approaches for the psychological effects of terrorist events. (pp. XXX-XXX). Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Press
Danieli, Y. (intended 2005). It was always there. In C. Figley (Ed.), Mapping Trauma and Its Wake: Autobiographic Essays by Pioneer Trauma Scholars (pp. XXX-XXX). New York: Brunner-Rutledge Psychosocial Stress Book Series.
Books in print:
Danieli, Y., Brom, D. & Sills, J.B.(Eds.).(2004). The trauma of terrorism: sharing knowledge and shared care, An international handbook. Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Press Inc.
[To be published also as a Special Issues: Volume 10, Number 1, 2, 3, 4, (2004) of the Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma]
Danieli, Y., Dingman, R. & (Eds.). (2005). On the ground after September 11: Mental health responses and practical knowledge gained. Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Press Inc.
Books in preparation:
Danieli, Y. , Ngarambe, F. & Fowler, J. (Eds.) Life after death: Rebuilding genocide survivors’ lives: Challenges and opportunities. Proceedings of the Kigali Conference 25-30 November 2001. Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Press Inc.
Danieli, Y. & Pasagic, I. Promoting a dialogue: Democracy cannot be built with the hands of broken souls: The case of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
