Chaya 'Tikva' Cohen

'Dr Tikva,' as she is affectionately known by her clients, has lived in Safed for the last 11 years. She is one of the many people in Safed who came to the holy city as a tourist, and never left. Born in Florida, she lived in both New York and California. She came to Israel for the first time in 1990 to make a cancer research film at Hadassah hospital. When she returned to Israel again in 1999 for Sukkot, she realized she didn't want to have to leave again. She returned to the United States to finalize her affairs and came straight back to Safed's Artist Colony and officially made Aliyah.

Complementary Medicine

Tikva started her medical career in speech pathology, working as a speech therapist and then worked in ophthalmology at the prestigious Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and in private practice; so she is well versed in conventional Western medicine.

Tikva herself became attracted to complementary medicine after an accident. Seeing how much acupuncture and Chinese herbs benefitted her personally, she was interested in learning more about it. At the time, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) wasn't so well known, so Tikva studied with the best Asian teachers. Travelling as far afield as China and Singapore, she was classically trained in both acupuncture and Chinese herbs. She also studied homeopathy in India and has learned three different homeopathic approaches from around the world. Her 30 years experience in complementary medicine includes Cranial Sacral Therapy and Nutrition as well as orthomolecular therapy. Tikva is therefore able to offer her clients a truly unified approach.

Philosophy

The preventative element in complementary medicine approaches used in TCM is very important. Tikva teaches her clients "... not just how to get well, but how to stay well... I lead the patient to find the truth for their healing". Firmly rooted in Jewish tradition, Tikva acknowledges that she is "just the facilitator between Hashem (G-d) and the patient... I don't limit what I offer the patient. Complementary medicine can treat things that Western medicine doesn't have an answer for... I help people to find the 'causal factor' for every ailment. It's a very spiritual medicine, the healing has to come from the patient"

Types Of Clients

Tikva helps all types of people and problems. Tikva believes listening to the client is the key, "My ears and eyes are my biggest assets, and my hands are my conduit"

Treatment Session

Tikva offers a variety of treatments depending on the needs of the patient. Also trained in Tai Chi and Qi Gong, Tikva helps clients learn how to focus and to facilitate self-healing.

Tikva has always has a synergistic relationship with medical doctors and will happily send patients for blood work or for referrals. She is able to give nutritional advice as necessary.

An initial consultation normally takes 2 hours, which allows Tikva to have a proper understanding of why the client wants treatment in the first place. Subsequent sessions usually last between 45 minutes and an 1-hour depending on the problem.

Sameach

Tikva stresses the importance of 'sameach'. "Feeling and being with joy is the key to good health". Tikva's motto is 'Laughter is the best medicine.'

For further information or to arrange a consultation.
email: tikvacohen@yahoo.com or tel 04 682 1341