Ma’ayan Levhar-Ardon, MSW, LSWAIC

It started with a gap year after high school. I knew I wanted to work helping people but had yet to discover my calling. I spent that year living in a distressed neighborhood where most residents had little resources. I connected to the children and teens in the neighborhood; listening to their stories, their challenges and I found ways to support them quite often through the simplicity of a trusted conversation. There was no doubt after this experience where I was headed next.

 

I earned a B.A. in Social Work and started working with teenagers in different settings, including group homes, outreach fieldwork in under-served communities, and non-profit organizations. I moved to the United States and my interests started to expand as I wondered about the possibility of making a positive impact on even younger clients. I wanted to understand more about early childhood and the therapeutic interventions. I attended New York University and achieved my Master’s Degree in Social work. I followed this up by working as a child therapist in elementary school settings and specialized after-school programs for children.

 

Modalities that I currently practice such as Play Therapy, Creative Arts, and sensory-based activities serve as powerful tools in my work with children. Communicating with children in their language of play helps them process different events or even trauma that has happened in their lives. Through play-based activities, children learn to regulate their emotions and discover better ways to cope. In addition, I hold the belief that parent participation and cooperation are key to success in any child therapeutic process. Therefore, collaborating with parents and exploring multiple tools to best support their child is a priority in the treatment plan. In the last few years, I found myself dedicating time to research and participating in groups that explore the many aspects of parenting. This became an even stronger passion of mine as I became a parent myself. Among the topics I explored and experienced, I strongly relate to positive parenting, Dr. Neufeld’s attachment-based developmental approach, instilling independence, and encouraging creative thinking and curiosity.

 

My adolescent clients primarily enjoy the confidentiality of 1:1 counseling and authentic conversation that weaves in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which has incredible efficacy for helping with anxious or depressive episodes. Some teens are curious about my training in the creative modalities of therapy and I’m always happy to explore a variety of therapeutic models with adolescents. This is all part of the self-exploration I encourage with teens for them to discover better ways to cope with challenges, build resilience and confidence.

 

Feel free to visit the appointment page to schedule an appointment. Let’s get your children on a path to being their best version!

 

I offer in-office sessions.