Nearly three years after October 7, daily life in Israel has begun to feel more ordinary again. But beneath the surface, many of us are still carrying exhaustion, grief, uncertainty, and the effects of prolonged stress.
In this episode of RAW, I speak with Professor Ruth Pat Horenczyk, a clinical psychologist and researcher who has spent decades studying trauma, resilience, emotional regulation, and post-traumatic growth.
We talk about what prolonged trauma leaves behind, why some people develop PTSD while others remain resilient, and what happens when an entire society is exposed to ongoing threat. A significant part of our conversation focuses on children and families. Ruth explains how trauma can look different at different ages, why children may show distress through behaviour or physical symptoms rather than words, and what parents and teachers need to notice.
We also explore how a parent’s own emotional regulation can shape a child’s ability to cope, and why parents can be one of the most powerful protective factors for children.
We also talk about resilience as something that can be learned, and about the resourcefulness of Israeli society: the role of community, volunteering, humour, creativity and connection in helping people adapt.
In this episode
• How prolonged trauma affects children, parents, and families
• How to recognize signs of trauma in children at different ages
• Why children often express distress without saying they are afraid
• How parents can help children feel safe and regulate their emotions
• Why resilience can be learned
• The difference between PTSD, resilience, and post-traumatic growth
• How connection, humour and community help us cope
• What Israeli society’s resourcefulness can teach us about resilience
This conversation isn’t about finding a silver lining in suffering. It’s about understanding what trauma leaves behind, learning to recognize it in ourselves and in our children, and exploring what helps individuals, families and communities move forward while carrying what they have been through.
About Ruth Pat Horenczyk Professor Ruth Pat Horenczyk is a clinical psychologist, researcher, and professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Her work focuses on trauma, resilience, emotional regulation, and post-traumatic growth, including the psychological effects of war, terrorism, and prolonged threat.
