Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist
Vivienne Primack
Verified
Psychotherapist
Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist
MSC
350-500 NIS
Private Insurance
Sliding Scale | Free Consultation
Attachment-based child and adolescent psychotherapist integrating play, art, animal-assisted and talk methods, grounded in thorough assessment and tailored to each child’s emotional-developmental needs.
At Discover Therapy, I offer long-term psychotherapy for children and adolescents, alongside integrated work with parents. My approach is rooted in an attachment-based, existential framework that values exploration, reflection, and relational depth. With younger children, I work through play and non-verbal expression, often in a parent–child dyadic setting; sessions with adolescents tend to involve self-exploration through conversation and meaning-making. I work collaboratively, holding the child in mind while reflecting on the broader relational context in which they are embedded—giving both children and parents the opportunity to discover new ways of understanding themselves and each other.
- Emotional and behavioural difficulties
- Attachment-related challenges
- Parenting support and reflective work
- Child and adolescent sexual abuse
- Anxiety, phobias, and selective mutism
- Neurodivergent presentations (including ADHD and autistic spectrum)
- Developmental trauma
- Impact of family conflict and separation
- Grief and loss
- Identity development and life transitions
I see myself as a steady, attuned presence, offering a safe relational context where children can explore their inner world in ways that support repair, growth, and self-discovery. I place particular emphasis on strengthening the connection between children and parents by holding the complex relational dynamic with sensitive, reflective awareness, and by offering parents an open, non-judgmental space that fosters deeper understanding of their child and themselves—helping them develop their own unique way of parenting.
My practice is based in Jerusalem, where I provide therapy in both English and Hebrew. I work with children, adolescents, parents, and couples, offering individual and dyadic sessions tailored to each client’s needs. Additionally, I provide clinical supervision for qualified professionals interested in deepening their understanding of my unique existential and attachment-oriented approach to child therapy. I hold an MSc in Psychotherapy from Middlesex University, London, and have advanced training in animal-assisted therapy and play modalities, specializing in attachment, trauma, and sexual abuse.
MSC
Middlesex University
2020
5
Professional Training Certificate in Animal Assisted Therapy (2014): Hebrew University - 3 year (recognized by Israel Ministry of health)
Professional Training Certificate in Child-Parent Psychotherapy (2016): Shiluv Institute
Professional Training Certificate in treatment of CSA (2023): Meytal Center - 2 year (recognized by Israel Ministry of health)
None
Behavioral Concerns In Children
Child Abuse
Developmental Disorders
Divorce / Custody
Parenting Issues / Training
Anger Management
Anxiety / Panic
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Autism Spectrum
Couples / Relationship / Marriage Counseling
PANDAS
Children
Adolescents
Couples
English
Hebrew
English
Animal-Assisted PsychotherapyAnimal-assisted psychotherapy (AAP) is a form of therapy that uses trained animals to help people with a variety of mental health issues. The animals are usually dogs, cats, horses, or birds. The animal is used as part of the therapeutic process to help the person cope with emotions, learn new coping skills, and build trust and relationships. It is believed to be beneficial in regulating the nervous system and alleviating depression and anxiety.
Art TherapyArt therapy has clients express themselves through creative mediums such as drawing, painting, collage, coloring, or sculpting. Clients can interpret their subconscious world that is expressed in their art which could lead to a better understanding of their feelings and behavior. Artistic talent is not a prerequisite for art therapy as it’s not as much about the end result as much as it is about the process. The therapist looks for meaning in the creative choices of the work and the clients’ inner world. This therapeutic method enables clients to express their inner thoughts and feelings through creative expression rather than just talking about them.
Existential PsychotherapyExistential psychotherapy is a form of psychotherapy that emphasizes an individual’s subjective experience of existence. It is a philosophical approach to psychotherapy that views the individual as ultimately responsible for creating a meaningful life. This form of psychotherapy helps individuals explore their subjective experiences, understand their personal values and beliefs, find ways to live more authentically, and make meaningful choices. The ultimate goal is to help the individual reach a greater sense of self-awareness and personal fulfillment.
Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT)Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT) is a psychotherapy approach that focuses on helping individuals to understand and regulate their own and others' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. MBT emphasizes the importance of understanding and reflecting on our own mental processes, while also recognizing and accepting the mental processes of others. The aim of MBT is to help individuals develop the skills necessary to accurately and effectively mentalize, or recognize and respond to their own and others' mental states. Through this process, clients can learn to better regulate their emotions, better manage interpersonal relationships, and gain a greater sense of self-awareness.
Play TherapyPlay therapy is an evidence-based, developmentally appropriate form of intervention used to facilitate emotional, cognitive, and social growth in children. Play therapy is based on the premise that play is the child's natural medium of self-expression and can be used to assess and help a child work through difficult emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. The goal of play therapy is to help children develop the skills and abilities to navigate life stressors, and build self-esteem. During treatment, the therapist creates a comfortable, safe environment (a playroom) for the child to play with as few limits as possible. The toys in the playroom are intended to encourage the child to express his or her feelings and develop healthier behaviors. The child’s “play” with these toys serve as the child’s symbolic words, which may be difficult to express otherwise.
Psychodynamic TherapyPsychodynamic therapy is a form of therapy that focuses on the unconscious mind and how it affects behavior. It works to help people understand and work through past experiences and feelings that may be causing difficulties in the present. This type of therapy encourages individuals to explore their emotions, relationships, and behaviors in order to gain insight into their current difficulties. It can help individuals better understand themselves and their motivations, and gain insight into how past events have impacted their current lives. People tend to develop defense mechanisms when faced with challenges in life. Defense mechanisms may keep painful feelings, memories, and experiences in the unconscious. A few common defense mechanisms include: denial, repression, and rationalization. Psychodynamic therapists encourage people to speak freely about their emotions, desires, and fears. Being open may help uncover vulnerable feelings that have been pushed out of conscious awareness. According to psychodynamic theory, behavior is influenced by unconscious thought. Once painful feelings are brought forth and processed, the defense mechanisms are no longer needed and a person in treatment can start changing unhelpful patterns when coping with life’s challenges.
Relational PsychotherapyRelational psychotherapy is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on a person’s relationships with others and the dynamics between them. It emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship between the client and the therapist, and it explores the meaning and purpose of relationships in the client’s life. Relational psychotherapy seeks to understand how the client’s past relationships shape their current experiences and how the client interacts with others. The goal is to help the person develop healthier relationships and better communication skills so they can become more emotionally connected to others.
Sandplay TherapySandplay therapy is a form of psychotherapy that is based on Jungian psychology and is used to help children and adults explore their inner world using symbols and metaphors. It is a form of non-directive play therapy in which participants create a “sandbox” in which they construct three-dimensional scenes using tiny figurines and sand. Sandplay therapy is an effective form of therapy that helps clients explore their inner world, gain insight, and develop creative solutions to their problems. Sandplay therapy allows a person to construct their own microcosm using miniature toys and sand. What’s created acts as a reflection of the person’s own life and allows them the opportunity to resolve conflicts, identify and remove obstacles, and gain acceptance of self.
Child-Parent (dyadic) Therapy
Individual Therapy
Couples Therapy
Hadrachat Horim