Credentials

Introduction

Meet Dr. Rivka Edery: Your Guide to Transformation

Dr. Rivka A. Edery is a Doctor of Psychology and Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 16 years of expertise in trauma-informed care, addiction recovery, and attachment healing. As the creator of The U-Model: Integrating IFS and ACT for Therapeutic Transformation, she combines Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to empower clients and clinicians worldwide. Her compassionate, evidence-based approach fosters psychological flexibility, and self-compassionate leadership.


Education

Academic Foundation


  • Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), California Southern University, 2022
    Focus    : Clinical and Applied Psychology, Early Childhood Attachment Across the Lifespan
    Dissertation    : Religious Violence and Attachment Issues: Is There a Connection?
    Honors    : Summa Cum Laude 
  • Master of Social Work (M.S.W.), Fordham University, 2009
    Specialization    : Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods
    Thesis    : The Influence of Organizational Respect on Job Satisfaction
  • Bachelor of Arts in Social Science, Thomas Edison State University, 2006
    Honors    : Arnold Fletcher Award for Exceptional Achievement in Online Learning


Professional Licensure

Licensed to Serve

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (L.C.S.W.) 
  • New York State Department of Education, 2013–Present 
  • Virginia Board of Health Professions, 2017–Present 
  • Florida Department of Health, 2024–Present 
  • Qualified LCSW Supervisor, State of Florida, 2025


Specialized Certifications & Training

Comprehensive Expertise in Healing Modalities
Dr. Edery’s extensive training underpins her innovative U-Model, integrating evidence-based and holistic approaches. Below is a curated selection of her certifications and courses.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) Certifications & Courses


  • Certifications: 
  • IFS Level I Practitioner, IFS Institute, 2024 
  • Intimacy from the Inside Out (IFIO), IFS Institute, 2024 
  • IFS & Couples Therapy: Intimacy from the Inside Out (IFCO), IFS Institute
  • Integrative Somatic Parts Work Certification (Level I, II, III), The Embody Lab, 2023


  • Courses: 
  • IFS Online Circle, IFS Institute, Fall 2023 
  • IFS Online Circle: Values & Beliefs in the Therapy Room, IFS Institute, Winter 2024 
  • The Art of Negotiation in IFS Sessions, IFS Institute, 2023 
  • IFS Immersion: Integrating IFS Across Clinical Applications, PESI, 2023 
  • Internal Family Systems (IFS): Development, Application, Transformational Model, PESI, 2023 
  • An Introduction to the Internal Family Systems Model, IFS Institute 
  • Attachment & IFS: Healing Trauma and Attachment Wounds, IFS Institute 
  • Treating Complex PTSD with IFS, IFS Institute 
  • IFS & Addictive Processes, IFS Institute 
  • IFS & Disordered Eating, IFS Institute 
  • IFS Approaches to Shame, Anxiety, and Depression, IFS Institute 
  • IFS with Children & Adolescents, IFS Institute 
  • IFS Approaches with LGBTQ2IA+ Clients, IFS Institute 
  • The Future of IFS, IFS Institute 
  • A Therapist’s Guide to the Psychopharmacology of Trauma and Dissociation, IFS Institute 
  • Presence and Capacities: Unpacking the Power of the IFS Self, IFS Institute 
  • Inner Child Work & Protectors, IFS Institute 
  • Capacity Development Program (CDP): IFS Basic Course, Dr. Jay Earley 
  • Self-Therapy Journey (Transformation Level), Dr. Jay Earley 
  • Self-Led Sexuality: An IFS-Based Approach, Patricia Rich, LCSW, CST-S



Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Certificate Courses


  • Certificate Courses: 
  • ACT Foundations for Behavior Analysts, Praxis CET, 2023 
  • ACT for Insomnia Therapist Training, The Sleep School, 2023 
  • ACTivating Your Supervision: How to Become a More Effective ACT Supervisor, Contextual Consulting, 2023 
  • ACT Immersion: An Introduction to ACT as a Process-Based Therapy, Contextual Change LLC, 2023 
  • ACT In Practice, Contextual Change LLC, 2023 
  • ACT for Perfectionism and People Pleasing, Psychwire, 2023 
  • ACT for Beginners, Psychwire, 2023 
  • ACT Practice Lab, Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS), 2023 
  • ACT in Focus: Navigating Processes, Procedures, and Future Directions, Contextual Consulting, 2023 
  • ACT Practitioners Community, ACBS, 2023 
  • Weekly Case Conceptualization Clinics, ACBS, 2023 
  • ACT Practice Groups, ACBS, 2023 
  • ACT: Do I Have or Do I Do Depression?, Openforwards, 2023



Trauma, Shame, and Addiction Certifications & Courses


  • Certifications: 


  • Master Registered Addiction Specialist (M-RAS), Breining Institute, 2021
    Recognized in 49 U.S. states, 20 countries, and by U.S. Armed Forces globally, this credential demonstrates advanced training in addiction. It requires underlying licensure for practice, and professionals must comply with regional regulations.     
  • Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP-II), PESI, 2023 
  • Certified Addictions-Informed Mental Health Professional (CAIMHP), PESI, 2023 
  • Certified Shame-Informed Treatment Specialist (CSTS), PESI, 2023


  • Courses: 
  • Treating Trauma Master Series, NICABM 
  • The Neurobiology of Trauma, NICABM 
  • How to Work with Traumatic Memory Embedded in the Nervous System, NICABM 
  • The Neurobiology of Attachment, NICABM 
  • Compassion Imagery for Shame and Trauma, NICABM 
  • How to Work with Shame, NICABM 
  • Working with the Pain of Abandonment, NICABM 
  • Working with Triggers Connected to Trauma, NICABM 
  • Repairing Abandonment Wounds from Early Attachment, NICABM 
  • Polyvagal Theory: Neural Exercises for Safety and Connection, PESI



Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)


  • TEAM-CBT Core Skills, Feeling Good Institute, 2023


Couples Counseling / Relationship Certifications & Courses


  • Certifications: 
  • Service Marriage Counselor Certification, Baylor University, 2021


  • Courses: 
  • Relationship Checkup for Military Couples, Arammu, LLC / R. Cassidy Seminars, 2023 
  • Evidence-Based Non-Medical Counseling Strategies for Military Populations, 2018 
  • Acceptance and Change in Couple Therapy: Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy, APA, 2023 
  • Serving Military Veterans: Understanding Their Experiences & Clinical Implications, APA
  • Dr. Sue Johnson’s Intensive Course in Emotionally Focused Therapy, PESI, 2023 
  • The Healing Power of Emotion, PESI, 2023 
  • Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT) Introductory Workshop, APA, 2023
  • Working with Personality Disorders in Psychoanalytic Supervision: The Object Relations View, Object Relations Institute, 2023 
  • Application of Fairbairn’s Structural Metaphors for Diagnosis and Treatment of Personality Disorders, Object Relations Institute, 2023



Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) Courses

  • Narcissistic Abuse and Gaslighting Treatment Course, PESI, 2023 
  • Psychoeducation and Narcissistic Abuse: Different Types – Different Experiences, PESI, 2023 
  • After Self-Betrayal: Strategies to Help Clients Find Their Authentic Selves, PESI, 2023 
  • Gaslighting: Recognition and Recovery for Manipulated and Controlled Clients, PESI, 2023 
  • Ready, Set, Connect: Strengthen Your Relationship Skills, and Live Authentically, 2023



Mediumship and Intuition Certifications & Courses


  • Certifications: 
  • Mediumship Certification with Gordon Smith (Level 1), JVP School of Mystical Arts, 2023 
  • JVP Spiritual Healer Certification, JVP School of Mystical Arts, 2023 (Opening Your Psychic Portals)
  • Answering the Sacred Call of Mediumship, The Shift Network, 2023 
  • Forensic Mediumship: 7-Lesson On-Demand Video Program, Lisa Williams School, 2023 
  • The Science of Medical Intuition Training Program, Sounds True, 2023 


Writing Courses

  • Storytelling with Alan Moore, BBC Maestro, 2023 
  • Hay House Writer’s Community, Hay House, 2023 
  • Immersed in Story, Anne Helmstadter, 2023



The U-Model: A Revolutionary Framework

The U-Model: Transforming Lives with IFS and ACT

Dr. Edery’s U-Model is a 7-stage therapeutic framework (Initial Assessment, Present Moment Contact, Acceptance, Cognitive Defusion, Values Clarification, Committed Action, Recycling) integrating Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Polyvagal Theory. Applied to over 100 clients, it achieves an 85% client-reported improvement in trauma, addiction, and attachment-related symptoms. 

  • Core Principles: Fosters psychological flexibility, self-compassion, and emotional re-parenting. 
  • Impact: Reduced symptom severity by 70% across 100+ clients, including veterans and adolescents. 

Resources: Upcoming book, The U-Model: A Clinical Guide to Integrating IFS and ACT for Trauma Recovery (2026), and CE workshops.


Workshops & Continuing Education

Training Clinicians and Caregivers

Dr. Edery’s workshops integrate The U-Model, IFS, ACT, and Polyvagal Theory, training over 250 clinicians with a 85% satisfaction rate. 

  • The U-Model in Action: Combining IFS and ACT for Clinical Practice, A Home Within, Virtual, 2025
    Details    : 4-part CE series, 8.0 CE credits, 150+ clinicians trained. 
  • From Pain to Possibility: Transforming Abandonment Wounds with ACT, A Home Within, Virtual, 2024
    Details    : 4-part CE series, 8.0 CE credits, 200+ attendees.


Child Abuse, Trauma, and 12-Step Recovery, NAASCA Special Topic Night, Virtual, 2013–2016
Details: Co-hosted discussions with 500+ listeners.



Publications

Advancing Trauma Recovery (partial listing)

  • Trauma and Transformation: A 12-Step Guide (2013) – 4.5/5-star Amazon reviews, 3,000+ downloads. 
  • Disorganized Attachment Style and The Moderating Effect of The Inner Loving Parent (EC Psychology and Psychiatry, 2023) 
  • Is Chronic Shame a Life Sentence? (Edelweiss: Psychiatry Open Access, 2019) 
  • Borderline Personality Disorder: A Brief Contemporary Review (EC Psychology and Psychiatry, 2019) 
  • In Progress: The U-Model: A Clinical Guide to Integrating IFS and ACT for Trauma Recovery (2026)



Affiliations

Global Professional Network

  • British Psychological Society (BPS), Chartered Psychologist, 2023–Present 
  • Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS), ACT for Military SIG, 2022–Present 
  • Internal Family Systems Institute (IFSI), Active Member, 2023–Present 
  • American Psychological Association (APA), Member



Honors and Achievements

Recognized for Excellence

  • Certificate of Excellence in Reviewing, Journal of Education, Society and Behavioral Science, 2020 
  • Certificate of Appreciation, OMICS International, Euro-Global Summit on Psychiatry, 2015 
  • Cum Laude: Psy.D. (2022), M.S.W. (2009), B.A. (2006) 
  • Arnold Fletcher Award, Thomas Edison State University, 2006