Maria Azar
Licensed Psychologist and Child Psychologist, Save the Children International
Maria graduated from ‘Université Saint-Joseph’ in Lebanon, with two Bachelor degrees in Work and Organizational Psychology (2011) and Clinical and Pathological Psychology (2015) and a Master’s degree in Clinical and Pathological Psychology (2018). Her Master’s thesis revolved around the study of transference and countertransference and the therapeutic mirroring of body image expressed during psychological sessions with a unique case, a 4 year old girl who was subject of sexual incest and abuse from women.
Maria’s practise is rich in diversity ranging from private clinical work, teaching, on the field experience with local and international NGOs to research.
Maria is currently working as a psychotherapist with children, adolescents and adults in her own clinic in Beirut. She is also teaching for the third consecutive year an introductory course on ‘Psychology and it’s relation to the nursing profession’ to first years in the Faculty of Nursing at the Lebanese Red Cross. She recently joined Save the Children International as a child psychologist responding to affected families by the Beirut blast.
Maria’s general professional experiences cover the following clinical topics: displacement of refugees, children and youth abuse, maltreatment and protection, gender-based violence, children and youth in conflict with law, children and youth incarcerated in juvenile prisons, depression and suicide to name a few. Maria underwent several clinical supervisions and regularly participates in seminars, study groups and conferences. During her spare time, Maria leans towards literature and arts; she enjoys writing French and English poetry, drawing and painting abstract and figurative art.
Maria has been part of two research projects tackling two different themes with refugees in Lebanon.
In spring 2018, Maria was selected to represent the University of Saint-Joseph and work alongside Elise Pestre and students of her from University of Paris-Diderot, France. The research project focused on the effect of exile on the subjectivity of refugees (Syrian and Palestinian) and professionals working with them.
In summer 2020 Maria joined the “From the Field” Lebanon team. The study highlights the impacts of COVID-19 on food security interventions (and lived Experiences) for sustainable local development in Northwest Syria and neighboring countries.