Lab Members

Prof. Dana Tzur Bitan

Lab Director

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Prof. Dana Tzur Bitan is a clinical psychologist in the Psychiatric ER at Shalvata MHC, and an associate professor of clinical psychology in the Department of Community Mental Health at University of Haifa. Her research focuses on routes to facilitate psychotherapy outcomes in public mental health, epidemiology and health disparities of individuals with severe mental illness, alliance and expectations as mechanisms of change, and neurobiological determinants of treatment success. See Publications

Omer Alon Sedoff

Ph.D Student & Lab Manager

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Mrs. Omer Alon Sedoff is a Ph.D student in the Department of Community Mental Health at the University of Haifa, and the lab manager of the Psychotherapy and Psychiatry Research Lab at Shalvata MHC. Her main research interest is neurobiological facilitators of therapeutic processes and outcomes among patients suffering from severe mental illness. Currently, her study focuses on the role of oxytocin and inflammation in psychotherapy for patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. See Publications

Dana Elberg

Ph.D Student

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Mrs. Dana Elberg is an intern in clinical psychology at Shalvata MHC, and a PhD student in the Department of Community Mental Health at the University of Haifa. Her research focuses on the associations between mental health attributions and psychotherapy process expectations among different populations and different cultural contexts. The study she is conducting is part of an international collaboration initiated by the Society of the Advancement of Psychotherapy (Division 29, American Psychological Association).

Or Keynan

Ph.D Student

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Mrs. Or Keynan is an intern in clinical psychology and a PhD student in the Department of Community Mental Health at the University of Haifa. Her doctoral research centers on investigating the impact of immune-inflammatory signals on the course and outcomes of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder within clinical settings. Or also spearheads our lab's collaboration with international partners on a project examining the link between cumulative viral load and mental health. See Publications

Todaya Asor

Ph.D Student

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Ms. Todaya Asor is an intern in rehabilitative psychology at Sheba Medical Center, and a PhD candidate in the Department of Community Mental Health at the University of Haifa. Her research focuses on the effects of psychotherapy expectations on illness perception and psychotherapy process and outcomes provided to individuals with chronic pain and gynecological illnesses.

Nili Neuthal

Ph.D Student

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Mrs. Nili Neuthal is an intern in clinical psychology at the Beeri Clinic of Clalit Health Services and Shalvata MHC. Nili is a PhD student in the Department of Community Mental Health at the University of Haifa. Her research focuses on parental distress and its impact on children's mental health and recovery processes. The research objectives will be investigated through big data strategies and by exploring the psychotherapy process in the Shalvata child and adolescent outpatient clinic.

Amit Kramer

Ph.D Student

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Mrs. Amit Kramer is an intern in clinical psychology at the Child and Adolescent Crisis Intervention Unit in Shalvata MHC. Amit is also a PhD student in the Department of Community Mental Health at the University of Haifa. Her research focuses on child and adolescent psychotherapy outcome and dropout in outpatient mental health care, as well as alliance and expectations as possible mechanisms of change.

Ayelet Nir

Ph.D Student

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Mrs. Ayelet Nir is a licensed clinical psychologist and supervisor in "Tardion" mental health unit for the treatment of eating disorder, and a lecturer in Gordon Academic College of Education. She studies oxytocin administration to therapists and its effects on patient-perceived attunement and responsiveness. The study is conducted in collaboration with Dr. Shlomit Shechter Offer from "Tardion" mental health unit and with Dr. Hagai Maoz from Shalvata MHC.

Shani Shalev

Ph.D Candidate

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Mrs. Shani Shalev Lempel is a graduate student in clinical psychology and a PhD candidate in the Department of Community Mental Health at the University of Haifa. Her research focuses on the effectiveness of Dynamic Deconstructive Psychotherapy for individuals with borderline personality disorder.  The study is conducted at Shalvata Mental Health Center in collaboration with Eliezer clinic.

Dr. Ariella Grossman-Giron

Past Student

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Dr. Ariella Grossman-Giron (PhD) is a clinical psychologist, working at a private clinic in Ra’anana, as a staff coordinator in a special education program for children with autism spectrum disorder, and as adjunct lecturer in the International School of Psychology at “Reichman” University. Her research focuses on Oxytocin as a facilitator of psychotherapy outcomes in severe mental illness, mental health consequences of COVID-19, and moderators and predictors psychotherapy process and outcomes. See Publications

Avraham Friedlander

Ph.D Student

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Mr. Avraham Friedlander is an intern in clinical psychology at Sheba Medical Center, and a PhD student at the Department of Psychology, Ariel University (co-guided by Prof. Meni Koslowsky). His research focuses on the effectiveness of alternatives to psychiatric hospitalizations as compared to traditional hospitalization. The study is conducted in collaboration with Prof. Mark Weiser, Prof. Pesach Lichtenberg and Dr. Asaf Caspi from Sheba Medical Center. See Publications