Dr. Ayelet Hirshfeld, Ph.D., DiversItUS^® Psychotherapy & Psychoanalysis, Inc President, YourAIPsychoanalyst, Inc Founder & CEO: “Persistence pays. If you have got this far to articulate that you want to make a difference, and you have a cause that you feel passionate about, go for it!”

 Founded by Dr. Ayelet Hirshfeld, Ph.D., in 2009 and 2024, respectively, DiversItUS Psychotherapy & Psychoanalysis, Inc. and YourAIPsychoanalyst Inc. are two groundbreaking entities dedicated to advancing mental health care through a combination of clinical expertise, psychoanalytic insight, and innovative technology.

At DiversItUS, Dr. Hirshfeld, a clinical psychologist, Lacanian psychoanalyst, and traumatologist, specializes in trauma-informed care, offering assessments, psychotherapy, and psychoanalysis to individuals dealing with trauma, PTSD, secondary traumatization, compassion fatigue, and burnout. With a unique focus on helping clients sublimate their pain into creative and entrepreneurial endeavors, she empowers individuals to transform their experiences into meaningful personal and professional growth. This approach resonates particularly with executives, mental health professionals, and those in high-stress fields like the military and healthcare.

Complementing her clinical work, Dr. Hirshfeld launched YourAIPsychoanalyst Inc. in 2024 to address the pressing need for accessible mental health resources. Leveraging her dual passion for psychoanalysis and technology, she is designing an Agentic AI-powered Agent capable of autonomously rendering psychoanalysis. Unlike generic models, this Generative AI tailored mental health advisement model, will meet the unique needs of users, particularly Gen Z, who often prefer text-based communication and those who face barriers to traditional mental health services due to resource or insurance constraints.

As a thought leader and innovator in mental health care and technology, Dr. Hirshfeld extends her expertise to organizations through executive and organizational consulting. Her work bridges the gap between psychology, psychoanalysis, mental healthcare, and healthcare technology, viewing their integration as an art form. With a commitment to both individuals and institutions, DiversItUS and YourAIPsychoanalyst Inc. cater to diverse audiences, including trauma survivors, executives, mental health professionals, and adults seeking to explore their unconscious minds. Whether through personalized care or cutting-edge AI solutions, these ventures reflect Dr. Hirshfeld’s unwavering dedication to revolutionizing mental health care for a rapidly changing world.

Innovative Leadership in Trauma Treatment

Dr. Hirshfeld’s leadership in mental health is reflected in her groundbreaking Lacanian-informed EMDR treatment protocol. This approach blends classical psychoanalytic theory with modern trauma therapy techniques, offering a powerful solution for addressing resistant symptoms and deeply ingrained trauma. By integrating Lacan’s notion of the Signifier and Freud’s principle of “free associations,” Dr. Hirshfeld’s protocol enables patients to symbolically articulate their experiences.

Unlike traditional EMDR, her method punctuates key signifiers during desensitization sessions, effectively transforming traumatic residues into coherent narratives. This innovative process, which bridges hypnosis and full awareness, represents her commitment to blending theoretical rigor with clinical applicability. Dr. Hirshfeld’s development of this treatment model showcases her ability to lead with both intellectual depth and practical solutions—qualities that define her as a leader in mental health.

Adapting Leadership across Diverse Contexts

Dr. Hirshfeld’s adaptability as a leader is evident in her ability to tailor psychoanalytic principles across varied age groups and relational dynamics. Whether working with infants, adults, couples, families, or entire organizations, her approach is rooted in the interconnectedness of individual and group dynamics.

Her insights into the parallels between families and organizations underscore her deep understanding of systems thinking. Just as families benefit from open communication and self-reflection, organizations thrive when they invite external perspectives and embrace change. By fostering an environment of openness and maturity, Dr. Hirshfeld helps both individuals and organizations uncover hidden barriers to growth. This versatility highlights her exceptional leadership skills, enabling her to bridge the gap between individual therapy and organizational consulting.

Prioritizing Mental Health for Practitioners

Dr. Hirshfeld’s leadership extends to her advocacy for mental health professionals themselves. Recognizing the challenges of burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary stress, she underscores the importance of self-care and peer consultation. Her emphasis on work-life balance, manageable caseloads, fitness and strength training, engaging in continuous professional development across diverse multidisciplinary areas of her profession, reflects her commitment to sustainable practices in the profession.

As a leader, Dr. Hirshfeld’s focus on clinician well-being ensures that the professionals under her guidance are equipped to provide the highest level of care. By promoting resilience and self-awareness within the mental health community, she exemplifies the role of a leader who leads by example.

A Lifelong Learner Leading with Vision

Dr. Hirshfeld’s academic and research achievements are a testament to her relentless pursuit of knowledge and her commitment to excellence. With a robust educational foundation spanning institutions like the University of Tel Aviv, Alliant International University (CSPP), Stanford University, the Lacan School of Psychoanalysis, and University College of London, she combines theoretical expertise with practical insight.

Her ongoing participation in the Healthcare Executive program at the University College of London, Global Business School for Health, reflects her dedication to staying at the forefront of global health leadership. Dr. Hirshfeld’s ability to draw from diverse academic disciplines informs her unique approach to clinical practice and organizational consulting. Her philosophy emphasizes uncovering the non-linear and hidden elements of human interactions, a perspective that allows her to craft tailored solutions for complex challenges.

Empowering Women Leaders in Mental Health

As the founder and CEO of DiversItUS Psychotherapy & Psychoanalysis, Inc., and YourAIPsychoanalyst Inc., Dr. Hirshfeld embodies the transformative potential of women’s leadership in healthcare. Her work is not only reshaping how trauma is treated but also redefining how mental health organizations operate. Her focus on innovation, adaptability, and resilience reflects her commitment to leading with empathy and intellectual rigor.

Dr. Hirshfeld’s journey serves as an inspiring example for women aspiring to leadership roles in traditionally male-dominated fields. Her ability to balance groundbreaking clinical innovation and technology with a compassionate and inclusive approach underscores the essential qualities of a modern leader.

Path Ahead and Concluding Thoughts

Dr. Ayelet Hirshfeld’s journey as a leader exemplifies the resilience, vision, and passion that define transformative women leaders in the healthcare and technology sectors. Navigating the intersection of these two fields has been no small feat, particularly when confronting challenges like compliance, privacy regulations, and resistance to technological integration within mental healthcare. Yet, Dr. Hirshfeld’s perspective of this fusion as an art form underscores her ability to embrace innovation while remaining deeply rooted in her commitment to psychoanalysis. Her leadership is a testament to the power of bridging tradition with technology to create meaningful, accessible solutions.

Through DiversItUS Psychotherapy & Psychoanalysis Inc. and the upcoming YourAIPsychoanalyst Inc., Dr. Hirshfeld has not only addressed systemic barriers to mental health services but also actively worked to dismantle them. By leveraging technology to expand access to care, particularly for those with financial limitations, she demonstrates a profound understanding of the complex realities surrounding mental health. This commitment to inclusivity reflects her unwavering dedication to creating opportunities for individuals to seek the help they need, regardless of their circumstances.

To aspiring women leaders, Dr. Hirshfeld offers a rallying call rooted in her own experiences: persistence, adaptability, and a non-linear approach pave the way for impactful change. Her advice to women entering male-dominated industries—healthcare and technology—emphasizes resilience and the courage to chart unconventional paths. Looking ahead, Dr. Hirshfeld’s vision for the future of her companies is as ambitious as it is inspiring. With the anticipated growth of DiversItUS and the launch of YourAIPsychoanalyst’s initial service offerings in 2025, she is poised to further redefine how mental healthcare is delivered, making it more accessible, empathetic, and innovative. Her leadership stands as a beacon for other women striving to lead with purpose, transforming challenges into opportunities and building a legacy of meaningful impact.

Dr. Ayelet Hirshfeld Ph.D., Founder & CEO

“I view combining healthcare and technology as an art. It allows me to combine my passion for psychoanalysis with my passion for technology.”