The Eden Model
In a process that began in 2007, we developed the Eden Residential Home for Girls as a feminist therapeutic space – one that helps girls grow, reconnect with their strengths, and listen to their own hearts and desires. Through careful development, experimentation, and continuous learning, this worldview evolved into a feminist, dialectical therapeutic approach within a trauma-informed environment.
The therapeutic approach gradually emerged from daily experiences, crises, failures, and successes, with clinical practice grounded in ongoing learning and theoretical knowledge. Most therapeutic models used in settings that serve trauma-affected populations are based on individual psychological perspectives or relationship-based approaches. Few, however, are grounded in social perspectives—and particularly in feminist perspectives, which recognize that post-traumatic disorders do not develop in a vacuum and that understanding the context in which trauma occurred is essential to treatment.
The Eden Model has helped hundreds of girls move from being victims of trauma – including sexual abuse, violence, neglect, poverty, and more – to becoming young women capable of building full and meaningful lives.
The model is unique and innovative in the way it integrates evidence-based approaches to treating the effects of trauma-particularly Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – with social perspectives that reframe trauma as a social rather than personal problem, as well as a motivational therapeutic approach. Together, these elements create trauma-informed environments in which individuals can feel safe and move toward healing and meaningful change. The model also includes structured practices for responding to extreme behaviors in trauma-informed settings, making it applicable in additional therapeutic environments in Israel and around the world.
The Eden Model is recognized by Israel’s social services as an effective model for treating girls with a history of complex post-traumatic stress – an especially vulnerable population often considered relatively resistant to treatment. Among other things, the model is effective in addressing the effects of post-traumatic stress, including violence, self-harm, suicidal behavior, drug and alcohol use, exploitation in prostitution, withdrawal and isolation, anxiety and depression, interpersonal difficulties, impaired functioning in educational and employment settings, and low self-esteem.
The Model Is Based on Four Core Theories:
- Feminist theory – Based on the principle that “the personal is political,” and that critical thinking can gradually loosen the constraints imposed upon us and enable genuine choice.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – An approach grounded in Buddhist philosophy and behavioral principles. It emphasizes dialectical thinking and teaches skills in four core areas: mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
- Motivational Interviewing – Based on the understanding that ambivalence is inherent in every process of change, and that exploring this ambivalence can support more effective and rapid movement toward change.
- Relational psychology – An approach that views human development as dependent on close and meaningful relationships.
Core Principles:
- The personal is political:
Understanding the connection between social perceptions and constructs and experiences such as sexual abuse, poverty, marginalization, and more. In particular, the relationship between the circumstances of young women experiencing distress and risk and rape culture, patriarchal culture, and other social constructs is a cornerstone of the Eden Model. - Everyone wants a good life—a life worth living:
A fundamental principle of DBT that encourages a nonjudgmental view of others’ behavior and a deep belief that every person strives for a good life, even when engaging in destructive behaviors. - Choice and empowerment:
Every woman has the capacity to choose what is right and good for her. This capacity already exists within her and can be strengthened by encouraging reflection on her own choices. - Dialectics, acceptance, and validation:
Encouraging and developing dialectical thinking can reduce suffering and improve quality of life. Validating thoughts, emotions, and behaviors is both a cornerstone of the Eden Model and a daily practice that must be cultivated and internalized – in relation to ourselves and to others. Validation and radical acceptance form the foundation for motivating change. - Relationships are the foundation of every healing process:
Recovery from trauma – and nearly every process of change – takes place within relationships. In a trauma-informed setting, it is important to create relationships founded on respect, while remaining aware of the inherent hierarchy within therapeutic relationships and actively working to reduce it. Consistent relationships that are nonviolent, non-shaming, and non-blaming form the basis for recovery and the rebuilding of hope.
The Eden Model has demonstrated success in promoting emotional stability, reducing self-harm and harm toward others, restoring self-worth, and increasing the motivation of women and girls to create the lives they want for themselves.
All members of the Eden Association’s teams – including therapeutic, educational, and instructional staff – are trained to work professionally while developing self-reflection, a complex and dialectical social perspective, and a deep belief in the women and members of the community and in their capacity to initiate and sustain processes of change.
