צ’מנסקי כהן ג’ואנה, ד”ר

Head of the Laboratory for the Psychosomatic study of Art Therapy, Emili Sagol Creative Arts Therapies Research Center
דרגה ותפקיד: מרצה בכיר, ראש התכנית טיפול באמנות חזותית לנשים חרדיות במכללת מבח”ר
כתובת דוא״ל: jczamansk@univ.haifa.ac.il
טלפון: 04-6146234
שעות קבלה: בתיאום מראש
חדר: חדר 804, בניין אשכול
שייכות לחוג / ביה”ס / יחידה:
ביה”ס לטיפול באמצעות אמנויות
 
צ'מנסקי כהן ג'ואנה

Background

Undergraduate and Graduate Studies

Degree

Name of Institution

and Department

Period of Study

BA

Tel-Aviv University

TV & Cinema and Political Science

1993-1996

MA

New York University

Art Therapy

1997-1999

PhD

Ben-Gurion University

Social Work and Health Sciences

2008-2013

 

 Post-Doctoral Studies

Name of Host

Name of Institution, Department and Host

Period of Study

Dr. Karen Weihs

R25T Cancer Prevention and Control Translational Research Fellowship, University of Arizona Cancer Center

2014-2015

Research

My main contribution to science is in the study of psychotherapy. During my PhD studies, I conducted a qualitative study of clinical work I conducted with teenage girls who were forcefully removed from their homes. This study explored the experiences of a group of 6 girls who engaged in group art therapy coping with the trauma of the internal displacement. The paper published contributes to the body of knowledge regarding the benefit of art-based interventions with young internally displaced people. Between the years 2008-2010 I conducted an art therapy group for individuals coping with cancer. I conducted a participatory action study that examined the use of art making in the medical decision process of individuals coping with cancer. The paper published from this work can inform clinicians on the ways in which art may be used to assist individuals coping with decisional conflict related to medical decision making. In addition, together with colleagues at the center for women’s health promotion and research at Ben-Gurion University, we tailored a combined intervention protocol (CB-ART) which I implemented with a group of women coping with cancer and with chronic pain patients. This study contributes to the understanding of the ways in which art-based interventions can be used from a cognitive behavioral theoretical framework and how they are beneficial for individuals coping with cancer and chronic pain. I am the recepient of the Miriam Senarclens Prize for  psychosomatics in obstetrics and gynecology. This prize funded the study of the CB-ART protocol with women with elevated stress levels, undergoing in-vitro fertilization treatment. 

We currently completed data collection in a large RCT, funded by an RO1 grant from the American National Institute of Health (NIH)  http://repat.haifa.ac.il/en/ (I am PI with Dr. Karen Weihs from the University of Arizona) aimed at examining emotion processing and the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway as primary mechanisms through which art therapy can reduce symptoms of pain, fatigue and depression in breast cancer patients. Furthermore, the study aims to examine ethno-cultural differences in response to the intervention. My combined clinical and research experience guide my aspirations to make a significant contribution to the field of psychosomatic medicine that can be disseminated and implemented in the clinic to improve the treatment of women coping with cancer, specifically, and individuals coping with chronic illness in general.

My current career focus is examining the mechanisms of art based and verbal interventions for psychological and physical symptom reduction in cancer patients. This focus is part of an over-arching goal of increasing the understanding of the mechanisms through which art therapy has a salutogenic affect. My overall aim is to apply a translational approach to psychological (depression) and physical (pain and fatigue) symptom reduction in individuals coping with chronic illness, in general, and cancer patients, more specifically. My future work will aim at conducting clinical trials that enable the real-world examination of art-based interventions and their effect on psychological and physiological determinates of health, along with laboratory studies aimed at a focused examination of the physiological effects of art-making and engaging in creative endeavors.

I am interested in mentoring MA and Ph.D. students that are hard workers and have a passion for combining clinical knowledge and rigorous research to help individuals improve their well-being through art-making. 

Pablications

  1. Czamanski-Cohen J. (2010). “Oh! Now I remember”: The use of a studio approach to art therapy with internally displaced people. Arts in Psychotherapy 37(5), 407-413. (JCR IF 2010= 0.609; JCR R 2010= Rehabilitation 48/64 (Q3)(; CA=Ranked A+ in the creative arts therapies list of refereed journals).
  2. Czamanski-Cohen, J. (2012). The Use of Art in the Medical Decision-Making Process of Oncology Patients. Art Therapy 29(2), 60-67. (SJR IF 2012=0.228; SJR R 2012= Clinical Psychology 176/255 (Q3)(; CA= Ranked A+ in the creative arts therapies list of refereed journals).
  3. Czamanski-Cohen, J., Sarid, O., Cwikel, J., Lunenfeld, E., Douvdevani, A., Levitas, E. & Har-Vardi, I. (2013). Increased plasma Cell Free DNA is associated with low pregnancy rates among women. Reproductive Bio Medicine Online 26, 36–41. (JCR IF 2013= 2.980; JCR R 2013= Obstetrics and Gynecology 12/78 (Q1)(.
  4. ##Yulevitch, A., Czamanski-Cohen, J., Segal, D., Ben-Zion, IZ. & Kushnir, T. (2013). “The Vagina Dialogues”- association between genital self-image and women’s communication about sexual dysfunction and dissatisfaction with physicians. Journal of Sexual Medicine. 10(12), 2879–3156. (JCR IF 2013= 3.150 JCR R 2013= Urology and Nephrology 16/77 (Q1)).
  5. Czamanski-Cohen, J., Sarid, O., Cwikel, J., Levitas, E., Lunenfeld, E., Douvdevani, A. & Har-Vardi, I. (2014). Decrease in cell free DNA levels following participation in stress reduction techniques among women undergoing infertility treatment. Archives of Women’s Mental Health.17, 251-253. (JCR IF 2014=2.164; JCR R 2014= Psychiatry 73/140 (Q3)).
  6. Czamanski-Cohen, J., Sarid, O., Huss, E., Ifergane, A., Niego, L., & Cwikel, J. (2014). CB-ART-The use of a hybrid cognitive behavioral and art-based protocol for treating pain and symptoms accompanying coping with chronic illness. The Arts in Psychotherapy. 41(4), 320–328. (JCR IF 2014= 0.541; JCR R 2014= Rehabilitation 64/70 (Q3)(; CA=Ranked A+ in the creative arts therapies list of refereed journals).
  7. Czamanski-Cohen, J., Sarid, O., Cwikel, J., Lunenfeld, E., Douvdevani, A., Levitas, E. & Har-Vardi, I. (2015). Cell free DNA and telomere length among women undergoing in vitro fertilization. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics 32(11), 1697-1703. (JCR IF 2015= 1.858; JCR R 2015= Obstetrics and Gynecology 40/80 (Q2)).
  8. Shoshani, A., Mifano, K. & Czamanski-Cohen, J. (2015). The Effects of the Make a Wish Intervention on Psychiatric Symptoms and Health-Related Quality of Life of Children with Cancer: A Randomised Controlled Trial. Quality of Life Research 25(5), 1209-1218. (JCR IF 2015= 2.429; JCR R 2015= Health Policy and Services 15/75 (Q1)).
  9. Marroquín,B., Czamanski-Cohen, J., Weihs, K. & Stanton, A. (2016). Loneliness Moderates Effects of Emotional Expression and Processing on Depression and Physical Symptoms in Women with Breast Cancer: Evidence from Implicit and Explicit Measures. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 39,832-844. (JCR IF 2016= 2.5; JCR R 2016= Psychology, Clinical 38/121(Q2)).
  10. Czamanski-Cohen, J. & Weihs, K. L. (2016) The Bodymind Model: A platform for the conduct of the mechanistic study of art therapy. The Arts in Psychotherapy. 51, 63-71. (JCR IF 2016=0.972; JCR R 2016= Psychology, Clinical 89/121(Q2); CA=Ranked A+ in the creative arts therapies list of refereed journals).
  11. Czamanski-Cohen, J., Sarid, O., Cwikel, J., Levitas, E., Lunenfeld, E., & Har-Vardi, I. (2016) Practice makes perfect: The effect of cognitive behavioral interventions during IVF treatments on women’s perceived stress, plasma cortisol and pregnancy rates. Journal of Reproductive Health and Medicine. 2, S21-S26. (SJR IF 2017=0.111, SJR R 2017= Reproductive Medicine 64/73 in (Q4)).
  12. Sarid, O., Cwikel, J., Czamanski-Cohen, J. & Huss, E. (2017) Treating women with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD) with a hybrid cognitive behavioral and art therapy (CBART). Archives of women’s mental health. 20(1), 229-231. (JCR IF 2017=2.565; JCR R 2017= Psychiatry 66/142 (Q2)).
  13. #Haiblum-Itskovitch, S., Czamanski-Cohen, J. & Galili, G. (2018). Emotional response and changes in heart rate variability following art-making with three different art materials. Frontiers in Psychology, 9(968),1-9. (JCR IF 2018= 2.129; JCR R 2018= Psychology, Multidisciplinary 40/137 (Q2)).
  14. Czamanski-Cohen, J., Sarid, O., Cwikel, J., Levitas, E., & Har-Vardi. (2018). Are there preferred coping and communication strategies while undergoing IVF, and do Cognitive Behavioral Interventions help? Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice, 14(1), 20-32. (SJR IF 2018=0.360; SJR R 2018= Psychiatric Mental Health 17/41 (Q2)).
  15. ## Kissos, L., Lev-Wiesel R. & Czamanski-Cohen J. (2019) Sexual Abuse Detection Through Drawing Workshop: E-Learning Contribution, Journal of Loss and Trauma, 24(5-6), 550-567. (JCR IF 2018=0.745; JCR R 2018= Psychology, Social 60/63 (Q4)).
  16. Czamanski-Cohen, J., Sela, N., Weihs, K., Wiley, J., Caspi, O. (2019). The role of emotional processing in Art Therapy (REPAT) for Breast Cancer patients. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 1, 1-13. (JCR IF 2018= 1.197; JCR R 2018= Psychology, Social 48/63 (Q4)).
  17. ##Schultz, M., Czamanski-Cohen, J., Bentur, N., Mohsen-Byadsi, S., Artsieli, Y., & Bar-Sela, G. (2019). Multidisciplinary staff perspectives on the integration of spiritual care in a new setting: Israel. Palliative and Supportive Care,1-6. (JCR IF 2018= 1.965; JCR R 2018= Health Policy and Services 38/82 (Q2)).
  18. Czamanski-Cohen, J., Galili, G., Allen, J.B. (2019). Measuring changes in HRV while creating art with 3 different materials. JoVE, e60376, 1-4. (JCR IF 2018= 1.108; JCR R 2018= Multidisciplinary Sciences 41/69 (Q3)).
  19. *Czamanski-Cohen, J. & Weihs, K.L. (2020) Protocol for the REPAT Study: Role of Emotional Processing in Art Therapy for Breast Cancer Palliative Care Patients, BMJ Open, 10, e037521.(IF JCR 2018: 2.376; R JCR 2018: Medicine, General & Internal 50/160 (Q2)).
  20. *Czamanski-Cohen, J. & Kabato, K. (2021). The bodymind model of art therapy in individuals coping with problem substance use, International Journal of Art Therapy, 1-9. (SJR R 2018: Clinical Psychology: 149/273 (Q3); CA=Ranked A in the creative arts therapies list of refereed journals).
  21. *#Bar, A., Czamanski-Cohen, J. & Federman, D. (2021). I feel like I’m flying and full of life: Contemporary dance for Parkinson’s patients. Frontiers in Psychology. 6 pages. (JCR IF 2018= 2.129; JCR R 2018= Psychology, Multidisciplinary 40/137 (Q2)).
  22. *# Harel, K., Czamanski-Cohen, J. & Turjeman, N. (2021). The Spiritual Experience of Sufi Whirling Dervishes: Rising Above the Separation and Duality of This World. The Arts in Psychotherapy. (JCR IF 2019= 1.406; JCR R 2019= Psychology, Clinical, 91/131 (Q3)).
  23. *Wang K., Goldenberg A., Dorison, C.A., Miller, J.K., Uusberg, A., Lerner, J.S., Gross, J.J., Agesin, B.B., Bernardo, M., Campos, O., Eudave, L., Grzech, K., Ozery, D.H., Jackson, E.A., Luis Garcia, E.O., Drexler, S.M., Jurković, A.P., Rana, K., Wilson, J.P., Czamanski-Cohen, J. … Moshontz, H. (2021) A multi-country test of brief reappraisal interventions on emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nature Human Behavior https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-021-01173-x (JCR IF 2019= 12.282; JCR R 2019= Multidisciplinary Sciences, 5/71 (Q1)).
  24. *Srolovitz, M., Borgwardt, J., Burkart, M., Clements-Cortes, A., Czamanski-Cohen, J., Ortiz Guzman, M., … & Kwok, I. B. (2021). Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Music Therapy and Art Therapy. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 25(1), 135-144. (JCR IF 2020 2.947; JCR R 2020= Health care sciences and services, 48/107 (Q2)).
  25. *Czamanski-Cohen, J.(2021).Art therapy as a river with many streams: I think our time has come, International Journal of Art Therapy, 26:4, 123-125, DOI: 1080/17454832.2021.1994810 (SJR R 2020: Clinical Psychology  114/290(Q2); CA=Ranked A in the creative arts therapies list of refereed journals).
  26. *Karkou, V., Sajnani, N., Orkibi, H., Groarke, J. M., Czamanski-Cohen, J., Panero, M. E., … & Baker, F. A. (2022). The Psychological and Physiological Benefits of the Arts. Frontiers in Psychology, 286. (JCR IF 2020= 2.988; JCR R 2020= Psychology, Multidisciplinary 43/140, (Q2)).
  27. *Legate, N., Nguyen, T. V. T., Weinstein, N., Moller, A. C., Legault, L., Adamkovic, M.,…Czamanski-Cohen, J. … & Zahra, E. (2022). A global experiment on motivating social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2111091119 (JCR IF 2021= 10.7; JCR R 2020= Multidisciplinary Sciences 3/48, (Q1)).
  28. *Urakami, J., Huss, E., Nagamine, M., Czamanski-Cohen, J. and Michele Zaccai, M. (2022). The Emotional Experience of Flowers: Zoomed In, Zoomed Out and Painted. Horticulturae. (JCR IF 2021=923; JCR R 2021= Horticulture 7/36, (Q1)).
  29. *Kowal, M., Sorokowski, P. …Czamanski-Cohen, J….Zumarraga-Espinosa, M. (2022). Predictors of enhancing human physical attractiveness: Data from 93 countries. Evolution and Human Behavior. (JCR IF 2021=5.327; JCR R 2021= Behavioral Sciences 4/53 (Q1)).
  30. *# Hebi, M., Czamanski-Cohen, J., & Azaiza, F. (2022). Art Therapy in The Arab World. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 101969. (JCR IF 2021=0.847; JCR R 2021= Rehabilitation 45/73 (Q3); CA=Ranked A+ in the creative arts therapies list of refereed journals).
  31. Buchanan, E., Lewis, S…. Czamanski-Cohen, J. … Primbs, M. (in press). PSACR: The Psychological Science Accelerator’s COVID-19 Rapid-Response Dataset, Scientific Data. (JCR IF 2021= 501; JCR R 2021= Multidisciplinary sciences 12/74 (Q1)).