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.
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.
Rivkah Weiss, M.S.W.
Rivkah Weiss, M.S.W., is a psychotherapist in private practice in Jerusalem. A clinical social worker, she graduated with honors from Wurzweiler School of Social Work, and has since completed advanced psychotherapy training at the Israeli Psychoanalytic Institute. In the past she served as the clinical director at Kav L’Noar. She is also a certified clinical supervisor from Hebrew University. In addition to teaching at the Family Institute, Rivkah is an adjunct professor at Wurzweiler School of Social Work and Sara Schenirer.
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/
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. 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.
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.
Rivkah Menkes, M.F.T.
Rivkah Menkes, M.F.T. earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Sociology from the University of North Texas and completed extensive postgraduate training at The Family Institute of Neve Yerushalayim, specializing in children, families and survivors of sexual abuse. She is certified as a marriage and family therapist from the Israel Association of marriage and family therapy as well as an EMDR therapist. In addition to teaching and supervising at The Family Institute, Rivkah maintains a private practice in Jerusalem.