Assessment and treatment for children, adolescents and adults, considering neurodiversity, development, emotional life, family and environment.
A respectful, safe space for every identity, age and path.
For new patients
Before meeting your child, we meet with you. You know the mornings, the difficult moments and the good ones. First we listen, then we plan the assessment.
For families already with us
Your follow-up with Dr. Kovalchuk continues as usual. Alongside psychiatric assessment and follow-up, the center now offers emotional therapy, parent guidance, and groups, with a team familiar with neurodiversity and everyday challenges.
Already have recommendations? The next step is to consider what fits now: individual therapy, support for you as parents, or a group. Contact the center to discuss the available options and which team member may suit your next step.
Our perspective
Neurodiversity describes the natural variation in how people think, learn, communicate, focus, experience the world, and process information.
Examples within neurological diversity include:
Broad understanding, tailored care, and support along the way
At Fosense, we seek to understand the unique way each person thinks, feels, communicates, and functions. Assessment and treatment are not based on a list of symptoms alone, but on a deeper understanding of the person's strengths, difficulties, needs, and environment.
Before the appointment, we try to collect information carefully and systematically: questionnaires, medical documents, previous summaries, information from parents or the patient, and when relevant, input from educational or therapeutic settings. This gives the first meeting a broader context.
We do not rush to attach a diagnosis or choose treatment before understanding the broader clinical picture. The assessment considers development, functioning at home and school, social relationships, sleep, mood, anxiety, attention, life events, and what has already been tried.
Emotional or behavioral difficulties do not exist in isolation. We look not only at symptoms, but also at the environment in which the child, adolescent, or adult lives: family, school, work, stress, relationships, physical health, and significant life events.
At the end of the assessment, it is important that the patient and family understand what was gathered, what it means clinically, and what can be done next. Recommendations are given clearly and practically, to support decisions about treatment, follow-up, or support at home and in educational settings.
Our approach
At Fosense, neurodiversity-informed care begins with understanding the person: how they think and communicate, their emotional and sensory regulation, patterns of functioning, strengths, and difficulties.
Treatment focuses on difficulties that cause distress or interfere with functioning. Goals are set together with the patient and family according to age and clinical needs, and may include reducing anxiety and distress, improving daily functioning, developing skills, and supporting quality of life.
Assessment and treatment also consider the family, educational, social, or work environment. Depending on need, care may include environmental adjustments, guidance for parents or teams, and psychological, developmental, or psychiatric treatment.
At Fosense, we provide tailored assessment, treatment, and support for children, adolescents, and adults. Each step is shaped around the person's clinical, developmental, and family needs.
Children and adolescents
Psychiatric assessment for children and adolescents, with attention to development, family, school, social relationships, and day-to-day functioning.
Common reasons for referral include:
Adults
Psychiatric assessment, consultation, and follow-up for adults, with a broad view of emotional state, functioning, relationships, work, and life events.
Areas for assessment and support include:
Children, adolescents, and adults
Comprehensive assessment for children, adolescents, and adults, based on information from multiple sources and ending with a clear clinical formulation and practical recommendations.
The assessment process may include:
Dr. Olga Kovalchuk
Child and adolescent psychiatrist, founder and director
Usually three meetings: first with you, the parents; then an individual meeting with your child; and finally a summary of the findings and recommendations.
Autism spectrum · ADHD · Anxiety and mood · OCD · Tics and Tourette syndrome
Find out moreEmotional therapy for children, adolescents and adults.
Find out moreSmall groups for practising social skills in a safe space.
Find out moreTherapy through stories, reading and writing.
Find out moreTools for home, and parent groups for families of autistic adolescents.
Find out moreAssessment, treatment and follow-up for adults with Dr. Tatiana Shekera.
Find out moreDr. Kovalchuk coordinates every stage of care.
Find out more
Child and adolescent psychiatrist, founder and director
Dr. Kovalchuk is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and the founder and director of Fosense Center. Her work includes assessment and treatment of ADHD, autism spectrum conditions, mood and anxiety disorders, behavioral difficulties, OCD, tics and Tourette syndrome.
Adult psychiatrist
Dr. Shekera is an adult psychiatrist at Fosense Center. Her work includes assessment and treatment of depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, ADHD and autism spectrum conditions.
Family medicine specialist, ADHD assessment and treatment
Dr. Yankovich is a family medicine specialist who assesses and treats ADHD in children from age 5, adolescents and adults. He has training in ADHD, sleep medicine and obesity treatment. His approach is comprehensive, personalized and multidisciplinary, combining medication and non-medication treatment according to the needs of the patient and family.
Integrative psychotherapist, autism specialist
Yael Ganon is an integrative psychotherapist and autism specialist with 15 years of experience supporting autistic adolescents and their families. She offers psychotherapy for adolescents and adults, adapted therapy for autistic adolescents, and parent support and guidance.
Integrative psychotherapist, children and teens
Maayan Yigal is an integrative psychotherapist (M.A., body–mind–spirit) with 14 years of experience working with autistic children and adolescents and supporting social skills. She offers psychotherapy and parent support and guidance.
Bibliotherapist, children and teens
Michal Shuldman is a bibliotherapist (M.A.) and social worker (BSW), with 6 years of experience supporting autistic children and at-risk adolescents. She offers bibliotherapy for children and adolescents, and parent support and guidance.
Integrative psychotherapist and occupational therapist, MSc
Yifat Prigal is an integrative psychotherapist and occupational therapist with a master's degree and an Israeli Ministry of Health occupational therapy license. She has over 20 years of experience in education, healthcare, and rehabilitation settings. She works with adolescents aged 11–18 and young adults with neurodivergence, emotional and mental health difficulties, and challenges in everyday functioning, and offers parent guidance and support.
Three small steps
Answers about the center, the assessment process, and getting started. Contact us if you have further questions.
More questionsA referral is recommended when emotional, behavioral, social, or learning difficulties persist, worsen, or interfere with everyday functioning at home, school, or with peers. Early evaluation helps clarify whether the difficulty is a temporary reaction or a condition that requires treatment and support.
Before the first meeting, we gather relevant information from questionnaires, previous reports, parents or caregivers, and educational or therapeutic professionals when appropriate. The evaluation process is structured to build a broad clinical picture before recommendations are made.
This approach considers not only difficulties, but also each person's patterns of thinking, communication, regulation, strengths, and environment. That broader understanding helps tailor assessment, treatment, and recommendations to the real needs of the person and family.
Some appointments may be provided online when clinically appropriate. The suitability of online care depends on age, clinical need, safety considerations, and the type of assessment or follow-up required.
An initial psychiatric evaluation typically takes 60-90 minutes for adults. For children and adolescents, the initial assessment is usually completed over three 50-minute sessions.
It is helpful to bring previous medical or psychological reports, school summaries, medication lists, questionnaires, and any relevant educational or developmental information.
After the evaluation, the clinician explains the formulation and recommendations clearly, including whether further assessment, medication, psychotherapy, school guidance, or follow-up is recommended.
Safety information
Fosense Center is not an emergency service. In immediate danger, call Magen David Adom on 101. Emotional support is also available through the helplines below.
134 Hanassi Blvd, Building B, Merkaz HaCarmel, Haifa
