Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture: Difference between revisions

==Our Staff==

Dr. Elias Papadopoulos is the Medical Director at the Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture. He holds a Bachelor of Medicine (Aristotelion University of Thessaloniki, Greece), he was specialized in General Surgery and in Pediatric Surgery, he attended a post graduate program of Emergency Medicine and he was trained on Victims of Torture by the Medical Rehabilitation Centre of Torture Victims (MRCT) in Athens. From 2001 until 2008 he was the President of the Non-Governmental Humanitarian Organization ‘Medecins du Monde – Cyprus’. Dr Papadopoulos is also member of the Board of Directors of the Medical Association of Lefkosia – Kerynia “Hippokrates”, of the Cyprus Association of Paediatric Surgeons and of the Refugee Association “Lapithos”.

Constantina Christou started working at the URVT in May 2009. She is an Integrative Psychotherapist, meaning that she utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and the Person-Centered Approach during the psychotherapeutic sessions. She graduated from Suffolk University in Boston, USA with a BA in Psychology and she received her Master’s in Integrative Counseling Practice from the University of Derby in the UK. She has experience in working in various fields including Depression, PTSD, General Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Anger management, Bereavement, Domestic abuse, Sexual abuse, Substance abuse, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Panic Attacks, Attachment Issues, and Self-harm. Constantina is also interested in advocacy and research regarding matters concerning Psychotherpay, forced migration, refugees, asylum seekers and human rights.

Andria joined the FWC team in April 2008. She is the social advisor for the ERF-funded project entitled ‘Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture’. Her duties include offering advice and addressing the client’s social needs such as housing, employment, education and integration, as well as liaising with competent authorities for meeting the above needs. Andria holds a Bachelors degree in Sociology from Aegean University (Greece) and an MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice from University of Surrey (UK). She is currently attending a training on Addiction Counselors, organized by KENTHEA I.C.Ε (Institute of Continuous Education) in co-operation with the University of Cyprus. She also trained as a counselor for victims of domestic violence and she is a volunteer in relevant non-governmental organization.

Corina is the part-time Legal Advisor of the Unit and the legal advisor of the UNHCR funded program ‘Strengthening Asylum for Refugees and Asylum-seekers in Cyprus, which is also under Future Worlds Center’ since 2005. Mrs Drousiotou holds a Bachelor in Law (Aristotelion University of Thessaloniki, Greece) and a Master in International and European Trade Law (University of Leicester, UK). She was trained by UNHCR in Cyprus on Refugee Status Determination procedure, on Second Instance reviewing of Asylum Claims and participated at a workshop organized by UNHCR in Rome about ‘Gender, Age and Diversity Mainstreaming’.

Vicky is the project coordinator of the Unit and joined URVT on May 2010. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science & Public Administration (University of Athens), a Master of Arts in International Relations (University of Indianapolis), a Master of Arts in Human Rights & Democratisation (University of Malta) and is a PhD Candidate in International Human Rights Law at the Irish Center for Human Rights (National University of Ireland, Galway). She has worked as a doctoral fellow and researcher in Ireland and as a legal advisor in the UNHCR funded program ‘Strengthening Asylum for Refugees and Asylum-seekers in Cyprus’, which runs under Future Worlds Center. She was trained by UNHCR Cyprus Representation on Refugee Status Determination procedure (preparation, interviews, assessment), RSD monitoring, resettlement procedure and legal advising on individual cases/complains.

Larry began with FWC in 2005 as a graduate student intern from Portland State University. From 2006-2008 he performed the duties of Project Coordinator and Program Developer. In 2009 Larry became the Head of the Humanitarian Affairs Unit which implements the projects "Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture" and the "“Strengthening Asylum for Refugees and Asylum-seekers in Cyprus” as the implementing partner of UNHCR in Cyprus. Larry also acts as media consultant/expert for FWC because of his long history working in media related matters.