A HOME FOR POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH
A unique therapeutic framework for individuals coping with post-trauma resulting from military service, security forces, terror events, and life crises.
If you, a family member, or someone you support is dealing with post-trauma — we are here for you.
Licensed by the Ministry of Health
A center that is a home. A safe place where you can start anew.
At Merkaz Lavi, we believe that even after the most difficult events, it is possible to rebuild life. With professional, human, and deep guidance, enabling a person to recover and grow.
Growth from crisis is possible. A crisis can turn into an opportunity when a person receives the right environment, guidance, and tools.
Post-trauma does not only affect the mind. It affects the body, the nervous system, relationships, the sense of security, and the ability to live a full life.
At Merkaz Lavi, we have built a therapeutic model that addresses the whole person. Not just symptom reduction, but creating deep and long-term change.
Family Center
Accompanying family members as an integral part of the process.
Bringing quiet back to the system
Growing out of the breakdown
Personal Treatment Plan
Built by a multidisciplinary team.
Integrative Therapeutic Model
Combining clinical, body,
nature, community & rehabilitation care.
Post-Trauma Specialization
Arising from military service, security forces, hostile acts & life crises.
Our Story
Merkaz Lavi was born from life itself. Elie and Tova Spivack encountered the world of trauma up close.
From personal experience and their family’s journey, they understood that often, even the most professional and high-quality therapy is not enough.
Post-trauma affects every circle of life. People need a supportive and safe place, a supportive community that validates the shattering experience,
You need people who believe in you and and your ability to recover in a nurturing, regulating environment where you can rest, recover, and heal.
Merkaz Lavi was established from our experience as a family, and the experience of hundreds of people we met along the way – who dealt with trauma, loss, and life crises.
Merkaz Lavi is more than a treatment center, it is a home for growth from post-trauma.
Support Groups
Individual and group therapy, guidance and support for spouses and family.
The Therapeutic Model
Treatment at Merkaz Lavi is individually tailored to each patient and built by a multidisciplinary team.
Psychotherapy & Emotional Care
Diverse holistic therapies – gardening psychotherapy, ecotherapy, somatic experiencing psychotherapy (SE), art therapy.
Clinical & Medical Treatment
Psychiatry, clinical social work, rehabilitation guidance, CBT, EMDR, DBT, Hakomi.
Therapeutic Garden, Orchard & Nature Spaces
Life at Merkaz Lavi
Merkaz Lavi is nestled in the heart of the green and quiet nature of Moshav Betzet in the Western Galilee. The space was chosen to provide a comprehensive, tailored response to individuals in crisis on a personal, physical, emotional, social, familial, and spiritual level.
We carefully designed our outdoor spaces to provide a sensitive and attentive environment for individuals coping with deep crisis, based on research-backed knowledge in the healing power of nature.
The garden and orchards surrounding us serve as a healing and rehabilitative landscape, and above all – a safe space of recovery and healing. One can restore a sense of control, find an anchor in reality, and grow renewed strength from the breakdown through physical work in nature, contact and engagement with the land, guided by professional staff and therapeutic processes.
Alongside actively working the land, we created private and visible corners of quiet and contemplation in the orchard – intimate spaces surrounded by trees and a variety of wild, ornamental, and healing plants.
These spaces allow the nervous system to lower physiological arousal levels, achieve grounding, and reconnect to the rhythm of breathing. Here, embraced by nature, those treated find a safe space to process experiences and return to a more balanced life path.
Quiet & Contemplative Areas
Indoor Space, Home & Security
The Merkaz Lavi homestead is designed to provide residents a warm, embracing and safe feeling. The facility includes pleasant, well-designed residential rooms that allow rest and privacy, alongside spacious common areas allowing relaxation indoors and outdoors.
In Merkaz Lavi you will find cozy, well-designed therapy rooms, fitness and movement spaces, home hospitality, and quality nutrition. The entire complex is accessible, including standard and accessible protected spaces (MAMAD).
The Team – The Heart of Care
Daniel Sulski
Founder, Finance & Operations (CFO/COO)
Responsible for financial management, budget, economic control, operations, and organizational systems of the center. Leads the business and operational infrastructure supporting the development of Merkaz Lavi.
Innovation & Integration Manager
Boaz Lahman
Clinical herbalist, expert in nature-based therapy and holistic program. Responsible for developing and leading the holistic system, managing the support staff, developing the ongoing vision of the center, and building experiential and therapeutic programs.
Clinical Social Worker & Psychotherapist
Yosef Chaim Filtzer
Nutritional medicine therapist, IDF reserve mental health officer (KABAN), and former professional director of Resilience center for combatants. Deeply understands the possibility of healing from any condition and firmly believes in combining conventional and alternative medicine.
The beating heart of Merkaz Lavi is a multidisciplinary and dedicated team working in professional collaboration.
Our team combines an expert psychiatrist, clinical social workers, psychotherapists, mind-body therapists, an art therapist, ecotherapy professionals, mental health and trauma advisors, and a professional team of support staff.
Tova Spivack
Founder, CEO & Family Center Director
Leads the ongoing management of the center, human resources, regulation, and relations with the Ministry of Health. Responsible for developing and leading the family center. Expert in building support systems for families coping with trauma.
Armelle Lahman
Professional Director
Social worker, Hakomi psychotherapist, organizational consultant, M.A. in Management. Expert in trauma therapy and body-mind based therapeutic approaches. Leads the multidisciplinary team at the center to provide high-quality, in-depth care.
Doron Eitan
Clinical Social Worker & Psychotherapist
CBT, DBT, EMDR, AEDP therapist. Specializes in mental health and post-trauma. Believes in working closely with the emotional / physical experience in the present moment. I believe our role as professionals is to create a safe, authentic, warm, and caring environment for our patients.
Founder, CEO & Resource Director
Elie Spivack
Leads the vision of Merkaz Lavi, development of the therapeutic model, and organizational strategy. Responsible for resource development, business development, strategic partnerships, and relations with public, philanthropic, and business entities in Israel and globally.
Chief Psychiatrist
Dr. Ofer Finkelstein
Expert psychiatrist in the field of mental health and trauma. Responsible for the psychiatric leadership of the center, developing medical responses and leading the clinical development treatment plans for Merkaz Lavi.
NLP, SE, EFT & Guided Imagery Practitioner
Dina Robbins-Dekel
Specializes in trauma therapy, addiction, and processing grief and loss. Certified group facilitator and couple counselor. I believe in the nature within us that wants and is able to support us in healing and growing anew.
Dr. Jeffrey D. Kopin
Chairman of the Board
Senior physician and health systems executive with over 40 years of experience leading major healthcare systems in the United States. Leads the strategic development of Merkaz Lavi, serves as the primary connection for investors and donors, and advises center management on medical, managerial, and international aspects.
Strategic Advisor
David Navozny
Former Senior Vice President at an international high-tech company. Accompanies the management of Merkaz Lavi, in building long-term strategy, organizational development, growth processes, and managerial decision-making.
Psychiatric Nurse
Tania Kronus
Experienced registered nurse in the mental health field, knowing that every person is a whole world – and therefore the path to treatment must also be personal and precise.
I believe in connection between professionalism, empathy, and balance between body and mind.
Community &
Daily Life
Shared, nutritious meals and social activity, alongside personal time for privacy and rest in a warm embracing atmosphere.
The center offers continuous treatment combining clinical, group, and body-mind care at Merkaz Lavi and in nature.
What we offer includes community life and shared meals, alongside personal time for rest.
What We Offer?
Connection to Land & Nature
Physical and healing work in the therapeutic garden, ecotherapy, and activity in green spaces.
Therapeutic & Clinical Space
Focused individual and group sessions, alongside specialized treatment of the body and nervous system.
The Family is Part of the Journey
Post-trauma affects the family as a whole.
At Merkaz Lavi, the family undergoes a deep process alongside the individual.
The family center operates to provide guidance, support and psycho-education to spouses and families throughout the process.
We believe family members are full partners along the way. We provide them with a support framework, guidance, and coping tools which strengthens their loved-one’s healing process.
Merkaz Lavi for Post-Traumatic Growth Ltd. 23 Rakia St., Betzet.
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