A Different Perspective: Orly Gal Executive Director of NATAL

The lovely Orly Gal.

As part of my blog I am interviewing the people behind the organization who dedicate their time and efforts to aiding the victims. I had the opportunity to sit down and learn more about NATAL through the eyes from a remarkable woman with a mission. I got to sit down with Orly Gal, the Executive Director of NATAL who shared her love for NATAL with me, as well as her hopes and dreams for the future of NATAL as part of the Israeli society. While sitting down with Orly I got a chance to learn about her life’s work in NATAL, her personal connection to NATAL and her mission. 

Although Orly has never experienced the effect or aftermath of trauma through a personal   aspect, she explained that because trauma is so common in Israel’s society we are all connected to some sort of trauma, which what makes NATAL a vital to Israel. Having served in the army for 25 years, Orly gained more knowledge of the effects of trauma and what the victims needs are. Orly’s professional background helped prepare her, and enabled her to really understand what trauma patients go through and understand what they have experienced. 

As I sat down with Orly I began to understand why she is so passionate about what she does and the role NATAL plays in the country today. Orly began to describe the many aspects of NATAL and why she believed NATAL is unique. Orly explained that because NATAL serves many patients of various ages there are many different outlets to seeking help, this is why there is no single aspect that is greater than the other, and perhaps this is what is so important about NATAL. As we continued Orly shared the many divisions of NATAL, such as the Art Therapy Canter, the Open Line, and the educational center which teaches many incoming Psychology Students new methods of therapy. Orly spoke about NATAL’s strategic plan and how she hopes their model of therapy and resilience leads the way in the world of trauma. 

The Strategic Model NATAL uses, Orly was very proud
of these methods and hopes that they influence other organizations. 

After sitting with Orly I got a better sense of the people of NATAL and their passion about what NATAL stands for. Orly spoke so many great things about her colleagues and how much she admires everyone who works at NATAL, and how she hopes that NATAL and the people who work there will influence others like it has influenced her.