The Institute for Treatment of Eating Disorders

The Institute for Treatment of Eating Disorders at Reuth TLV Rehabilitation Hospital leads multi-professional rehabilitation approach treating all the aspects of the patient’s life with the objective of bringing him to good and healthy functioning.

The Institute’s team includes specialists with extensive experience treating individuals with eating disorders (such as anorexia and bulimia), including clinical and rehabilitation psychologists, clinical dietitians, group therapists, parent and family counselors, and a psychiatrist. The team plays an active role in training professionals, participating in community projects, and engaging in research and academic collaborations.

Amir Zendakovich, a rehabilitation neuropsychologist, is the Director of the Institute for Treatment of Eating Disorders and the Director of the Psychological Rehabilitation Service in the hospital: “An eating disorder is characterized by the fact that the eating habits are out of control and endanger the health of the individual. The objectives of the rehabilitation treatment are the creation of new eating habits and to help the patients to function in the best way possible. The concept of the work, which has been proven to be successful, combines treatment to improve nutritional, emotional, cognitive and behavioural functioning”.

Patients

The Institute specializes in treatment of various types of eating disorders: anorexia, bulimia and compulsive eating disorder. Furthermore treatment and support is provided for people contending with obesity, pre and post bariatric surgery.

Treatments

Day Treatment Program for Eating Disorders

A multidisciplinary framework offering five treatment days per week, six hours per day.

Services include:

• Nutritional therapy
• Continuous monitoring and support by a nurse throughout the treatment period
• Psychiatric care
• Psychological therapy
• Group therapies (art therapy, psychodrama, cognitive-behavioral therapy)
• Support provided by the mentor/coaching team

The program includes two daily meals. Each patient receives a varied meal plan that incorporates all food groups and supports gradual change in eating habits. Meals are eaten together with the treatment staff.
The program is intended for adults aged 18 and over.

Outpatient Treatment for Eating Disorders

This program includes three weekly group sessions: a psychotherapy group, a nutritional therapy group, and an art therapy group. Patients also receive an individual monthly nutritional follow-up session and psychiatric monitoring. This framework enables treatment while maintaining daily routines such as work, studies, and family life.

Additionally, there is a follow-up outpatient program for patients completing the Day Treatment Program, which includes individual psychological therapy, individual nutritional therapy, a psychotherapy group, and psychiatric follow-up.

Treatment is available to members of all Health Funds, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and the Ministry of Defense.

Family Therapy

A therapeutic framework designed for all family members coping with a loved one’s eating disorder, guided by a professional team including a psychologist and a certified family therapist.
These treatments are not included in the national health basket. Reimbursement may be available through private insurance plans, subject to policy terms.

New: Parent Support Group for families of children coping with eating disorders, led by a psychologist and a dietitian from the Center.
The group provides support, guidance, and therapeutic tools, offering families professional knowledge and practical strategies.

The Team

Dr. Reuven Lavi – Medical Director

Specialist psychiatrist; graduate of Tel Aviv University’s School of Medicine.
Certified in general psychiatry and child & adolescent psychiatry; graduate of the TAU School of Psychotherapy. Former Deputy Director of the Child and Adolescent Outpatient Clinic at Ness Ziona Psychiatric Hospital.
Dr. Lavi specializes in combined treatment: dynamic psychotherapy and medication management. He is known for his exceptional empathy and attentive therapeutic approach. His extensive background in treating eating disorders across all age groups greatly contributes to the Center’s clinical success.
As Chief Psychiatrist of the Center, he oversees admissions, evaluations, and patient suitability for the various treatment programs. Dr. Lavi is present at the Center most days of the week, providing care for urgent and acute cases.

Ruth Stern – Head Nurse, Day Treatment Program

Registered Nurse with a BA in Nursing (Tel Aviv University) and an MA in Health Promotion (University of Haifa).
Holds advanced training in cardiac intensive care, smoking-cessation group facilitation (Maccabi Healthcare Services), and group facilitation for at-risk youth.
Completed professional training in eating disorders treatment (Magid Institute), DBT foundations (Ofek Institute), and Mindfulness (Mind-Body Center).

Irit Ako – Center Administrator

Psychologists

Dr. Danit Geva – Senior Rehabilitation Psychologist

Provides individual, group, and family therapy at the Eating Disorders Treatment Center and in private practice in Tel Aviv.
Holds a PhD from the Neurocognitive Laboratory at Ben-Gurion University. Specializes in eating disorders, congenital and acquired injuries, and psychosomatic and pain disorders. Takes an integrative approach, combining cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, and expressive therapies.

Osnat Shaul – Clinical Psychologist

Specialist in treating eating disorders in adults, adolescents, and children. Certified to supervise clinical psychology interns.
Highly experienced in individual, family, and group therapy. Works psychodynamically while integrating CBT and DBT tools.

• Raya Sarid – Head of Psychology Team

Chief Psychologist at the Center; specialist clinical psychologist; student and intern supervisor.
Treats individuals and groups; lectures parents, students, and educators.
Holds a BA in Psychology & Computer Science (Tel Aviv University) and an MA in Clinical Psychology (Hebrew University).
Practices dynamic therapy (short- and long-term), integrating CBT, DBT, and EMDR.

Tali Milstein – Senior Rehabilitation Neuropsychologist, Supervisor

Individual and group therapist with extensive experience in eating disorders.
Trained at the Eating Disorders Center and in the Rehabilitation Day Hospital, with specialization in chronic pain treatment, illness and loss counseling, and crisis intervention.

Clinical Dietitians

Bat-El Ratzon – Co-Head of Dietitian Team

Certified Clinical Dietitian with a B.Sc. in Nutrition (Tel-Hai College).
Expert in nutritional treatment of eating disorders; experienced in individual and group therapy.

Aviv Tiger – Clinical Dietitian

Holds a B.Sc. in Nutritional Sciences (Tel-Hai College) and an MAN in Health & Behavioral Nutrition (University of Haifa).
Graduate of the Eating Disorders Training Program (Magid Institute).
Expert in eating disorders with experience in both individual and group therapy.

Lei Maimon – Clinical Dietitian

Holds a B.Sc. in Nutritional Sciences (Hebrew University Faculty of Agriculture) and an MAN in Health & Behavioral Nutrition (University of Haifa).
Expert in eating disorders; experienced in individual and group therapy.

Bat-Or Sarig – Clinical Dietitian

Holds a B.Sc. in Nutritional Sciences (Ariel University) and an MAN in Health & Behavioral Nutrition (University of Haifa).
Graduate of multiple specialized programs, including eating disorders treatment (Magid Institute), nutrition & mental health, women’s health, DBT for clinicians, and group facilitation.
Experienced in individual and group therapy for eating disorders.

Psychotherapists and Creative/Expressive Arts Therapists

Ran Sadan – Psychotherapist and Dance/Movement Therapist

Individual and group therapist for 25 years.
Specializes in dynamic and experiential approaches with an emphasis on attachment-based therapy. Certified Gestalt psychotherapist with extensive training in AEDP and other experiential modalities.

Shnir Avraham Cohen – Visual Arts Therapist

Holds an M.A.A.T from Beit Berl College and is currently studying psychoanalytic psychotherapy at the Winnicott Center.
Experienced in parent counseling and working with children and adolescents in both mainstream and special education settings.

Adi Ravid – Expressive Arts Therapist

Holds an M.A. from Seminar HaKibbutzim with specialization in psychodrama for eating disorders and addiction.
Experienced in individual and group therapy with women, children, adolescents, and adults.
Currently training in psychodynamic couples and family therapy at Bar-Ilan University.

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