Mental Health in the Jewish Community
Leaders of Atlanta’s Berman Center and Blue Dove Foundation tackle addiction and mental health in the Jewish community.
Alyza Berman, LCSW, is the founder, owner, and executive director of the Berman Center, a treatment program created to address the needs of individuals who suffer from addiction, mental illness, and co-occurring disorders. She is a trauma specialist as well as an individual, group, couples, and family therapist. Alyza specializes in the treatment of addiction, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and trauma. She has a passion for helping others and fully immerses herself in the people she meets and works with daily. The Berman Center doors first opened to address a problem in the Jewish community, while creating a place and program where Jewish individuals can get help for mental health and/or addiction. The Berman Center is founded on the Jewish principles of connection, community, and belonging.
Daniel Epstein, LMHC, LPC is a licensed psychotherapist; co-founder of the Blue Dove Foundation and Director of Client Care at The Berman Center, a Jewish-based intensive outpatient treatment program for mental health and substance abuse. A South Florida native, Epstein specializes in teens, young adults and crisis intervention. In 2019, Daniel was recognized by the Atlanta Jewish Times as a 40 under 40 honoree.
Gabrielle (Gabby) Leon Spatt is a genuine connector who is passionate about bringing people and organizations together to accomplish big dreams. A personal tragedy led Gabby to start volunteering with The Blue Dove Foundation, an Atlanta-based non-profit focusing on mental health and substance abuse education, outreach and awareness through a Jewish lens. Gabby transitioned from board member to staff member in April 2019. She devotes her time to her professional role along with community engagement through different leadership roles. In 2017, Gabby was recognized by the Atlanta Jewish Times as a 40 under 40 honoree and a member of the 2019 Outstanding Atlanta Class.
Justin Milrad is a passionate and engaged businessman and individual who believes that we each have a responsibility through tikkun olam to make this world a better place. Justin is the CEO of the Berman Center, a mental health and substance abuse intensive outpatient program. Driven by his passion for the Jewish community, Justin is on several Jewish boards including the Blue Dove Foundation, an Atlanta-based non-profit focusing on mental health and substance abuse education, outreach and awareness through a Jewish lens. Justin is also He is also involved in the National Young Leadership Program at Jewish Federation and is currently enrolled in the Wexner Heritage Institute, a program developing Jewish leaders across North America.
The Blue Dove Foundation’s book, “Quieting The Silence: Personal Stories” is a collection of personal stories dedicated to raising awareness, understanding, support and hope for those who struggle with mental illness and addiction in the Jewish Community and is available on Amazon.
