ByAVICHAY CHAIMJULY 14, 2026 08:00The Sheba Rehabilitation Hospital has opened the Fifth Element – a unique therapeutic space in nature designed for individuals dealing with trauma, stress symptoms, complex grief, integrated physical and mental injuries, emotional regulation difficulties, and burnout, as well as bereaved families, families of the wounded, and patients hospitalized at Sheba.The Fifth Element is based on an integrative model that combines five core components: Bodywork, developing regulation skills and mental resilience, community and belonging, spending time in nature, and rehabilitation processes and preparation for returning to studies and employment.The treatment takes place within a supportive group setting and a calming green environment, while tailoring the therapeutic envelope to the needs of each participant. The model relies on a combination of research-based treatment methods and complementary approaches such as yoga therapy, qigong, movement therapy, art and music therapy, alongside accompaniment by professionals from the fields of mental health, rehabilitation, and integrative medicine.The scientific answer to the treatment dropout crisisThe uniqueness of the initiative lies in its operation under the clinical and ethical standards of Sheba, in close connection to research knowledge. In this space, patients will be treated using recognized therapeutic models by psychologists and social workers who specialize in trauma, combined with various workshops delivered by expert therapists in art, music, movement, yoga therapy, carpentry, therapeutic gardening, an adventure park, and more.The model is expected to improve dropout rates of patients from classical psychotherapeutic treatments, which are estimated at about 40% among combat soldiers, due to the difficulty of the nervous system to bear direct exposure to trauma.To solve this, the center offers an integrative day treatment program that allows for the expansion of the patient's physiological window of tolerance, offering a synthesis of five integrated safety channels:Environmental-based medicine: Guided treatment in the eucalyptus grove, which is research-proven to activate the calming (parasympathetic) nervous system and lower stress hormones (cortisol).Somatic and physical regulation: Scientific practice of trauma-sensitive yoga (TSY), tai chi, and qigong, alongside touch therapies (shiatsu, acupuncture, and reflexology) to safely calm excessive bodily arousal.Advanced evidence-based psychotherapy: Trauma-focused CBT treatments (PE, IPT, and ACT protocols) led by psychologists and social workers, to process experiences at the right pace under a protected envelope.Community and brotherhood of warriors: Treatment in peer groups with a similar operational background, alongside music, sound healing, therapeutic gardening, and carpentry workshops, which drastically reduce loneliness and stigma and increase perseverance in treatment.Guided functional rehabilitation ("going out into the world"): A practical program for active rehabilitation of family, social, and occupational connections, and reconnecting to meaningful life goals.An envelope for the family and spouses: Dedicated therapy groups for partners, which reduce patient dropout to a minimum (only about 7%) and prevent intergenerational trauma transmission.In addition, Sheba is developing dedicated resilience programs within the space for medical teams and therapeutic personnel facing burnout and ongoing trauma, as well as workshops for organizations. The establishment of the complex is part of a broad move of national responsibility led by Sheba, with the aim of developing innovative models that can be implemented throughout the entire public healthcare system.The Fifth Element (credit: SHEBA)A space that connects body, mind, nature, and communityHadar Amir, manager of the Fifth Element complex at Sheba: "The Fifth Element was born out of the understanding that trauma treatment and deep rehabilitation require a space that connects body, mind, nature, and community, but no less than that, they require a professional framework based on research and clinical standards. The connection to a leading medical center like Sheba allows us to create a healing space that is both humane and close to nature, and also stands at the highest standards of care."The founder of the Fifth Element, Udi Angel: "Following the events of October 7, we realized we are in a mega-event that requires therapeutic attention for both the body and the mind. At the beginning of the war, I met a small group of entrepreneurs who treated Nova survivors, and with the help of my friend and fellow entrepreneur Tamir Samurai, I established the body-mind treatment space of the Fifth Element in Eilat. Already in November 2023, we started running retreats for evacuees who were staying in Eilat at the time, and as time went on, we expanded the circles of support. The understanding that the public system is unable to cope with the challenge alone led me to initiate and expand our activities, allowing the Fifth Element network to provide support and assistance to those who need it, and enabling tens of thousands of Israelis to reintegrate into the routine of life. They protected us – now it is our turn to protect them."The businessman and philanthropist, Idan Ofer: "The 'Fifth Element' expresses our deep commitment to the people who carry the wounds of trauma with them and to strengthening the resilience of Israeli society as a whole. The center was established out of the belief that alongside treating the body and mind, a space must be created that allows for hope, healing, and regrowth. It is designed to provide an answer for soldiers and civilians from all parts of Israeli society – Jews, Arabs, Druze, and members of all communities – dealing with the consequences of trauma. We are proud to be partners in establishing an innovative and groundbreaking model that will set a new standard in the field of mental and physical rehabilitation. Thanks and appreciation to the professional teams at Sheba, led by Prof. Yitshak Kreiss and Prof. Amitai Ziv – for their vision, dedication, and leadership of an initiative of the highest national importance."Prof. Amitai Ziv, director of the Integrated Rehabilitation Hospital at Sheba: "Our goal is to constantly break the boundaries of the accepted, and to create a holistic response to body and mind treatment that will allow healing and growth out of crisis. This is yet another step in our commitment to provide Israeli society with the most comprehensive and advanced response for returning to a routine of life that is as full and healthy as possible."Follow us on Google