Rivkah Harel, M.S.W.
Rivkah Harel, MSW, graduated with honors from the Master’s program, majoring in Practice at the Hebrew University.
Couple and family therapist – certified by the Israeli Association for Couple and Family Therapy. (Studies at the Shiluv Institute – Jerusalem)
Graduate of the Child-Youth Psychotherapy program at Bar-Ilan University. (Certificate studies).
Supervisor of graduate students on behalf of the School of Social Work – Hebrew University.
Rivkah’s professional experience includes over 30 years of direct treatment of adolescents and young adults, supervision of therapists and staff, family therapies and parenting guidance, at the Youth and Young Adult Advancement Division and Family Response.
At the same time, she supervised social work students at the Hebrew University.
Today:
She teaches at the Medical School – Hebrew University.
She treats and supervises at a private clinic in Jerusalem.
She supervises at the Family Institute – Neve Yerushalayim.
Moshe Hoffman, M.A.
Clinical Psychologist supervisor – Psychotherapy and Psychodiagnostics. Certified Family Therapist, Certified Family Therapy supervisor. Private clinic and supervisions in public organizations. Supervises, teaches, and treats (individual, couple, and family therapies) with an integrative approach focused on emotion, attachment, and mentalization.
Elisheva Atalai, M.A.
Elisheva is a licensed, Israeli psychologist with a specialty in marriage and family therapy. Elisheva received her BA in psychology from Bar Ilan University and her MA in psychology from Tel Aviv-Yafo Academic College. Elisheva worked in the Educational Psychological Services of the Jerusalem municipality for twelve years. In that capacity, she treated children and adults, and provided psychological consultation to staff members and parents. She also worked exclusively with families under the auspices of the Family Therapy Center of the Jerusalem Educational Psychology Services.
Currently, Elisheva has a private practice in Jerusalem and Mazkeret Batya where she works with individuals, couples, and families. In addition, Elisheva teaches psychology at multiple colleges and also teaches a course on family therapy in the Family Institute of Neve Yerushalayim.
Dr. Stacey Leibowitz-Levy
Dr. Stacey Leibowitz-Levy is an experienced psychologist with wide ranging skills and expertise in the areas of trauma, anxiety, stress, and adjustment issues in adults and children. She has extensive experience in the training and supervision of mental health professionals in trauma work. Stacey was a board member of the South African Institute of Traumatic Stress Studies (SAITS) and has run self-care and supervision groups for trauma practitioners working with war veterans, refugees and torture survivors. She participated as an expert panel member in the development of the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) intervention model for torture survivors. She worked as an academic at the University of the Witwatersrand (Johannesburg, South Africa) for twelve years and has publications in in the trauma field. Stacey made Aliyah with her family to Ramat Beit Shemesh.
Joan Kristall, M.S.W.
Joan B. Kristall, M.S.W., earned a Master’s degree in social work at the University of Denver and received a certificate in trauma treatment from the Institute for Advanced Psychotherapy Training and Education in Baltimore, MD. Prior to her aliyah, she was Clinical Coordinator for the Shofar Coalition, a collaborative community program for survivors of childhood trauma. Currently she is a clinical supervisor at The Family Institute and maintains a private practice in Jerusalem and Efrat.
Dr. Zev Ganz
Dr. Zev Ganz earned a master’s degree from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work of Yeshiva University and a doctoral degree from Smith College School for Social Work. He completed postgraduate training in Individual and Family therapy at The Family Institute of Neve Yerushalayim with a focus on working with young children and their families as well as the treatment of child sexual abuse. He is a certified practitioner of the attachment- based model Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), and has lectured and published widely on the topic of attachment and families. Zev currently serves as Rosh Tzevet of the Lamerchav/Kav L’noar mental health clinic in Ramat Beit Shemesh, is a clinical supervisor at The Family Institute of Neve Yerushalayim, a lecturer at Machon Shiluv, and maintains a private practice in Ramat Beit Shemesh and Jerusalem.
Bilha Fruchter, M.S.W.
Bilha Fruchter is a social worker (MSW) and a therapist with over 20 years of experience in Israel, Canada, England and the U.S. She works with individuals of all ages who are coping with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues, and to explore and develop coping strategies to deal with various forms of abuse and trauma. For the last 8 years, Bilha has worked for Mercaz Meital, where the focus is working with children who have experienced sexual abuse and their families. She also currently supervises practicing therapists who are in a two year training program at Mercaz Meital, specializing in therapy with children who have experienced sexual abuse. For the last few years, Bilha supervises students studying in the School Of Social Work department at the Hebrew University. Lastly, Bilha is part of a team of therapists who provide short term therapy for teachers through the national teachers union.
Bilha combines various therapeutic approaches including psycho-dynamic therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TFCBT), and task-oriented psychotherapy focused on understanding behaviors, choices or struggles that arise. Her methods are strength based, goal-oriented, based on her many years of experience.
Bilha is centrally located in Katamon, Jerusalem.
Bracha Coopersmith, M.S.
Bracha Coopersmith, M.S. earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Sociology from the University of North Texas completed Postgraduate training in Family Therapy at The Family Institute of Neve Yerushalayim where she received extensive, specialized training in psychotherapy with children and their families. In addition to being the Coordinator of the Pinat HaYeled Children’s Unit, she maintains a private practice in Jerusalem.
Fran Ackerman, M.S.W.
Fran Ackerman, M.S.W., has worked directly with the pioneers of Family Therapy in the United States Drs. Murray Bowen, Salvador Minuchin, and Carl Whittaker. She is a former faculty member at the Ackerman Institute for the Family in New York City, the Philadelphia Child Guidance Clinic, and the School of Social Work at Hebrew University. Her published work focuses on the clinical application of Bowen Family Systems Theory. In addition to being a Clinical Supervisor at The Family Institute, she maintains a private practice in Jerusalem.
Yoel Steiner, M.S.W.
Yoel Steiner has an M.S.W. from the Hebrew University, with a specialty in trauma, studied courses in treating sexual abuse victims and inappropriate sexual behavior in children. He trained in family and couples therapy at The Family Institute.
Graduated from a 3 year program in pyschodynamic psychotherapy “Jerusalem Hills” school.
Yoel is in private practice in Ramat Beit Shemesh since 2014 where he treats children and adults dealing with a variety of issues. Yoel is also the Hebrew Program Coordinator at The Family Institute.
Fluent in English and Hebrew.