Jewish Therapists Claim Illegal Dismissals at Dallas Clinic
Two Jewish therapists allege that the Dallas Mental Health Clinic wrongfully terminated their colleagues after they sought support for clients experiencing trauma related to increasing anti-Semitism. The situation has led to legal action.
Dr. Dina Hijazi, co-owner of D2 Counseling, is accused of stifling discussions led by therapists Yocheved Junger and Jacqueline Katz. They were reportedly trying to share insights to assist colleagues working with Jewish clients who had faced discrimination, according to a lawsuit filed by the LawFare Project.
Hijazi described the therapists’ advice as ineffective and one-sided, choosing to shut down dialogues during a staff meeting on November 19, the lawsuit claims.
Just a week later, Junger and Katz were informed of their termination, as outlined in court documents.
Junger expressed her shock, saying, “I was really surprised and just horrified.” Meanwhile, Katz described feeling “panic” over the unfolding events.
In an email prior to their dismissals, Hijazi had instructed staff to refrain from discussing certain topics, including the situation regarding Palestine. Junger and Katz pointed out that their colleagues had not engaged in discussions about Palestinians or Israel.
Junger questioned how she could effectively serve her clients if she was prohibited from discussing their experiences. The lawsuit indicates that Hijazi had reinforced a ban on sharing political or religious views among staff.
Katz responded by asserting that Hijazi and co-founder Rev. Daniel Gowan failed to prevent political conversations about a Jewish patient. Gowan reportedly criticized Katz for “crossing the line” while trying to defend that patient.
The Jewish therapist attempted to voice her concerns again shortly after, only to receive notice on November 25 that she had been terminated.
Following their dismissal, the therapists were given a month to vacate the clinic, leading them to find a new office to continue their practice. Junger noted the clinic went so far as to rent another office to keep them away from the main office space.
She described the entire experience as “disappointing” and “scary,” particularly given the rising discrimination against Jewish practitioners and clients in the therapy field. However, she expressed a reluctance to fully accept this reality.
Katz emphasized the importance of cultural competence in therapy, noting it’s not the clients’ jobs to educate therapists on their backgrounds. “It’s up to us to ask for consultations and do some research,” she stressed.
D2 Counseling’s website claims it offers “a safe, non-judgmental place” to help clients move beyond their pain.
Representatives for D2 stated that Gowan and Hijazi firmly deny the allegations made against them.
Statistics show a significant rise in anti-Semitic crimes following Hamas’ attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. A report revealed that last year, the Jewish community in the U.S. experienced over 25 anti-Semitism incidents each day. In 2024 alone, there were 9,354 incidents of assault, harassment, and vandalism against Jews, marking a staggering 344% increase over the past five years.
