Welcome to Spiritual Gangsters! In this new eight part series, our host, Menachem Poznanski, sits down with eight different mental health professionals and rabbi's, and asks each of them the same set of eight questions.Today's guest is Akiva (Kivi) Perlman. Akiva Perlman Ph.D., has spent his career in mental health working with struggling individuals and families within the Jewish community at large. His work experience ranges from intensive work in inpatient psychiatric settings to countless programs within the Jewish day school system. He has served as assistant director of “The Living Room”, while also holding a post as addiction specialist at Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services. Right now serves as the director of guidance for the Jewish Educational Center in Elizabeth NJ. Dr. Perlman also holds a post as Assistant professor at Long Island University’s School of social work, where he teaches graduate courses on compulsive behaviors, trauma, and addictions.He also maintains a private practice near his home in Fresh Meadows NY, where he resides with his wonderful wife and children. Consciously The Podcast  is a project of The Light Revealed. The Light Revealed is an organization and media publishing platform which focuses on building community for Jewish people seeking spiritual growth.We welcome your feedback and questions and hope to utilize those questions for future episodes.WebsiteTheLightRevealed.orgEmailTheLightRevealed@TLRFamily.orgFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/thelightrevealed/Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/thelightrevealed/The Conscious(ly) teamHost: Menachem PoznanskiAssistant Producer: Mordy SchwartzCo-producer emeritus: Chaim KohnAssistant to the Regional Co-Host: Shmaya HonickmanArtwork: Tani PoznanskiSocial Media: Tehila Nissanian & Zoe PoznanskiMusic: Music by Eitan Katz F/t Zusha