Jewish patients face hostility from some therapists, leading to exclusion based on political beliefs.

Jewish patients are increasingly reporting being forced to leave therapy sessions due to hostility from their mental health providers, raising serious concerns about discrimination within the field. This growing issue stems from therapists expressing opposition to Israel or Zionism, creating an unwelcoming environment for patients with personal ties to the region.
Evelyn Stein, a mental health counselor in the Boston area, has observed this trend firsthand. She stated that she has added four clients to her practice who left other therapists because those practitioners minimized their pain related to events in Israel or considered their connection to Israel a sign of mental illness. Stein expressed deep concern, noting that this situation breaks the ethical code of providing care and amounts to doing harm.
In response to this developing problem, a referral network for Jewish patients has emerged in the New York area, created by two psychologists. This network guides clients who feel uncomfortable or unsafe in their current therapy situations or are newly seeking therapists towards practitioners who can provide appropriate care.
Stein emphasized that while everyone possesses the right to their opinions regarding the events in the Middle East, mental health professionals have a distinct ethical obligation to treat patients with dignity and respect. This duty transcends political disagreement and demands that clinicians provide care without imposing their biases onto the patient’s experience.
A survey conducted in 2026 involving 218 Jewish mental health professionals revealed alarming statistics: 74 percent reported experiencing antisemitism in their field, and a concerning 91 percent believed antisemitism is a significant problem among mental health practitioners. These findings suggest the issue of hostility towards Jewish patients is widespread.
Locally, Boston Medical Center faces a federal civil rights complaint alleging retaliation against a Jewish Israeli intern. The complaint centers on the intern’s claims that supervisors excluded her and moved her desk after she reported signs referencing Israelis. These signs allegedly said, “They killed our babies” and “They stole our lands.” The intern alleges this exclusion and desk change occurred despite the signs violating the hospital’s own policy against political displays. She received a negative evaluation as a result.
The incident at Boston Medical Center highlights the tangible consequences of this growing trend of politicization and antisemitism within mental health professions. Mental health providers must recognize their responsibility to offer compassionate care to all patients, regardless of their background or beliefs, upholding the principles of justice and treating others as they would wish to be treated, as Micah 6:8 reminds us to walk humbly with God, seek justice, love mercy, and walk with our God.

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