Michal Shalev Ben Nun, M.S.W.
Clinical Social Worker, MSW, Certified Couple and Family Therapist
Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW) from Ben Gurion University of the Negev
Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work (MSW) with a focus on direct practice from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Trained and certified in couple and family therapy at Shiluv Institute in Jerusalem and Shiluvim Institute in Givat Brenner
Currently working as a supervisor and lecturer at the Family Institute of Neve Yerushalayim, training therapists in psychotherapy, couple and family therapy. Works in private practice in Jerusalem – providing therapy to individuals, couples, families and groups. Previously worked at Talia Family Therapy Center in southern Jerusalem, Shalva organization for children with special needs, B’nei Brit youth village, and with at-risk youth in the US for 2 years.
“In my work, I am continually moved by the human capacity for healing through connecting to the body, emotions, and meaning – when done within the holding environment of a caring human relationship.”
Aviva Zahavi Asa, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.
Aviva Zahavi-Asa, M.S.W., L.C.S.W., received her clinical license in California in 1989 and worked with at-risk children and adolescents for ten years before making Aliya in 1997. She completed post-Masters training at the Family Institute in 2009, and in 2011 completed advanced training in family therapy at the Magid Institute, School of Psychotherapy at the Hebrew University. Since then, she has received recognition as a certified couples and family therapist and supervisor by the Israel Association for Couple and Family Therapy. She is also certified as a social work supervisor by Hebrew University’s School of Social Work. She served for over 12 years as part of the clinical staff at Ma’ane, a therapy clinic under the auspices of Kiddum Noar of the Jerusalem Municipality, where she provided individual therapy to at-risk adolescents; family therapy to teenagers and their families; treatment to parents of at-risk youth; and where she supervised social work students, social workers and family therapists. In addition, she worked at Machon Shiluv in Jerusalem for over nine years providing couples and family therapy to a diverse client population as well as providing supervision to couple and family therapy interns. She has maintained a private practice since 2007 in Jerusalem and Efrat providing individual, couples and family therapy in both Hebrew and English. She joined The Family Institute staff in 2019 as a clinical supervisor.
Miriam Timsit, M.S.W.
Miriam Timsit earned her M.S.W. from Adelphi University. She is a Clinical Supervisor at both The Family Institute and Machon Shiluv in Jerusalem. She was also a Clinical Supervisor at Hebrew University’s program in Family Therapy. Miriam maintains a private practice in Jerusalem.
Esther Marcus, M.S.
Esther Marcus, M.S. earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Sociology from the University of North Texas, and completed Postgraduate training in Family Therapy at The Family Institute of Neve Yerushalayim. Esther has extensive experience working with families coping with psychiatric mental health challenges as a therapist, and clinical supervisor at “Milam” in Jerusalem.
She is also an Adjunct Professor in the Wurzweiler/Sara Schenirer MSW Program, and maintains a private practice in Jerusalem.
Marcela Finaret, M.S.W.
Marcela Finaret is a clinical social worker (M.S.W) from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She is a certified therapist and supervisor by the Israeli Association for Couple and Family Therapy. She is a certified supervisor for social workers and social work supervisors. She is a certified coordinator and supervisor in parental coordination. Additional training: group therapy, emotionally focused couple and family therapy (EFT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). For 10 years, Marcela was the director and supervisor of the addiction’s unit in northern Jerusalem and the department of social services in southern Jerusalem. She was the director of the Jerusalem municipal center for couple and family therapy for 7 years until 2023. At the center, Marcela developed and led unique programs such as parental coordination, parenting coaching for divorced parents, and working on relationship difficulties between parents and children in high-conflict divorce situations. Marcela provided group and individual supervision to the therapy staff and trainees, including supervisor training. Currently: Marcela provides individual, couple, and family therapy at her private clinic in Har Adar. She supervises and teaches trainees at the Family Institute of Neve Yerushalayim and provides group supervision for trainees at Shiluvim Institute. She provides group and individual supervision to therapists and social workers in various public frameworks such as couple and family therapy centers and the Ministry of Defense. She supervises parental coordination teams nationwide and teaches various courses at the Central School for Training Social Workers.
Silvana Winer, M.A.
Silvana Winer earned an MA degree in Psychology at the Hebrew University and is a certified Couple and Family Psychotherapist.
She conducted pioneering OD Projects in Israel as part of the ‘Organizations and Communities’ Program’s staff lecturing and leading groups at the Ben-Gurion University Behavioral Department and later as program developer and trainer at the Shahar haNegev Social Services Unit. She coordinated, treated, trained and supervised in the area of Addictions on behalf of the Israeli Authority, the National Addiction Division of the Welfare Ministry and in several Therapeutic Communities and Youth rehabilitation centers.
Currently a therapist and Director of Maagalim Center for Psychotherapy that she founded in Zur Hadassa where she lives.
Chana Levitan, M.S.
Chana Levitan, M.S., is a couple’s therapist, educator, speaker and author with over thirty years of teaching and counseling experience. Although Chana’s essential training is in Family Systems Theory, she is also certified as an Imago therapist. In addition, Chana’s training as a trauma therapist (certified in EMDR and IFS) allows her to weave trauma therapy into the work that she does with couples—a therapeutic intervention that she finds extremely productive.
Chana has lectured extensively across the globe on the topics of dating and marriage, and has counseled thousands of men and women. Her best-selling book, “I Only Want to Get Married Once” (Grand Central Publishing) is a clear and practical guide to choosing the right marriage partner. Translated into a number of foreign languages, including Chinese, it is making a positive impact out there in the world.
Her second book, “THAT’S Why I Married You” (Gefen Publishing)—is a practical guide for couples to not only learn to live with their personality differences but to actually love with their differences.
Chana’s latest project, Marriage Mastery 2023, is a program designed for newly married couples (married under two years) to divorce proof their marriages from the get go. This is the first project offered by the Jewish Marriage Alliance, a non-profit organization that is staffed by Chana, Dr. Yisrael Levitz, Dr. Susan Heitler and Chaya Sarah Rabi.
Chana lives in Jerusalem with her husband and children and is presently working on her third book, which explores the secrets to longevity and lasting joy in a marriage.
For more information, please visit: https://chanalevitan.com/
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.
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.