Daybreak: The moment after
darkest hours.
Mission
We believe that all humans deserve to live life free and untethered from their past traumas and mistakes. During our intensive programs, Jewish men and women disconnect from their circumstances and take a deeper look into the experiences, patterns and beliefs that are holding them back. With unique programs and workshops participants experience a deep understanding that would never be possible otherwise.
Values
Resilience
Resilience is at the core of all healing. We get up once again and fight for a better future. Our facilitators and participants show up to pursue clarity, freedom and transformation.
Courage
Changing patterns and breaking the cycle is one of the most heroic acts of mankind. We create safe environments that nurture courage and bravery.
Authenticity
We allow ourselves to say what is hard to say, to look inside and become aware of that which we fear or feel ashamed of. We show up with our authentic self every time.
Team
Gitty Twersky
Gitty Twersky
Gitty’s robust portfolio reflects more than the waves she’s made in the mental health field in the Jewish community. It conveys an undercurrent of remarkable care and passion that enables her to break down barriers and lead the way to continuous growth.
As the founder of Daybreak and a facilitator at Onsite, Gitty is leading the way in normalizing psychodrama and experiential therapy in the Jewish community. In addition, she has touched many lives through her private practice and as a group workshop facilitator, leading weekly personal growth groups, supporting struggling youth and teens, and facilitating trauma healing workshops.
The core motivation in all of Gitty’s endeavors is to make the right help available to people in pursuit of healing. In her own grueling journey of self-healing, she experienced the agonizing search for inner freedom and ultimately the indescribable joy that awaits at the other side. Gitty believes that everyone deserves to be set free; of their traumas, pain, relationship struggles, and anything that may be keeping them shackled.
Gitty’s extraordinary care and passion shines through in every interaction. Her greatest joy is spending time with her granddaughter and step-grandchildren and showering them with endless love. Gitty is fond of traveling and finds beautiful places where she unwinds and writes in nature.
‘I’m passionate about making powerful, transformative healing available to everyone, so that it’s accessible and within reach. Everyone deserves it.’
Gitty’s experience and training include:
Yossi Twersky
Yossi Twersky
Born in a family of renowned changemakers and wisdom sharers dating back 10 generations, Joseph’s innate ability to help people is a natural outgrowth of his upbringing.
His humble mission of bringing people closer to their inner happiness has been the driving force throughout his various positions in the mental health field since 2007. Holding an MSW, CASAC, and Bachelors degree, Joseph has filled many roles supporting the mental and emotional health of his community including providing counseling, developing support groups, helping people overcome addiction, and providing psychotherapy to adults coping with trauma, anxiety, and social dysfunction, among other struggles.
Joseph recognizes that seeking help is often the greatest challenge for individuals in their journey to self-healing and has tremendous respect for those who take the high road. An avid listener and connector, Joseph conveys an open heart and mind with a firm determination to spark positive change, enlighten and offer hope.
Joseph is a lover of nature and a connector at his core. His hobbies include connecting to others through song and conversation, reading, and diving deep into Jewish history.
‘Every person deserves the gift of hope, the ability to accept themselves fully and to recognize their tremendous potential.’
Joseph is trained in the following methodologies:
Lori Ballou
Lori Ballou
As a veteran facilitator at Onsite and Daybreak, Lori has garnered an extraordinary reputation of reaching beyond traditional therapy to help her clients heal their traumas and improve their relationships.
Lori started practicing psychotherapy in 1986, where she first incorporated experiential therapy as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) to help clients who were suffering from depression and PTSD. She attained her CASAC and her License in Clinical Social Work while working with dual diagnosed clients. She has been a clinical supervisor in many reputable organizations, and has impacted countless individuals in different settings, including a hospital inpatient psychiatric unit, addiction treatment center, school, and outpatient clinic. In 2005 she launched her private practice, at the same time starting to consult at Onsite.
Lori’s vast experience and profound wisdom has had a far reaching effect, having trained other therapists to expand their fields of expertise beyond traditional methodologies to improve the lives of their clients.
‘To care deeply and listen intently is a vital part of the therapeutic process’
Lori is trained in the following methodologies:
Melissa Waterman
Melissa Waterman
With a compassionate and spiritually grounded approach, Melissa Waterman, LCSW-R, empowers her clients to navigate life’s challenges with clarity and resilience. Her focus on present-moment strategies allows clients to manage day-to-day stresses while fostering a dynamic connection with Spirit, creating a unique therapeutic experience that integrates mindfulness and emotional healing.
Since beginning her practice, Melissa has specialized in helping individuals increase emotional management skills and improve relationship dynamics, all through a highly adaptable pay-per-service sliding scale model. Her practice offers a safe, supportive environment where clients can learn skills for handling anxiety, depression, and stress as well as overcoming intrusive thoughts and nightmares. Melissa’s training includes a variety of effective techniques, such as Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), meditation, and personalized breathing techniques—methods she regularly teaches to clients to promote lasting emotional wellness.
Melissa’s areas of expertise are both broad and deeply rooted in practical support, spanning from anger management and grief counseling to self-esteem and family conflict. She brings a wealth of knowledge to each session, specializing in life transitions, peer relationships, and women’s issues. Her adaptable and empathetic approach has made a profound impact on countless clients, guiding them through significant life changes, relationship challenges, and personal growth journeys.
Melissa is trained in the following methodologies:
Healing Methodology
Using the power of the group along with a unique combination of methods,
Daybreak has transformed the lives of hundreds of individuals and couples.