NEWSLETTERS

We are pleased to announce that Mrs. Rita Mufarrij Merhej has joined the team of I'dad Center as of 2nd of November, 2004, acquiring the position of the Director.

Mrs. Merhej is married with three children. She has received her education from:  

• Université René Descartes, Sorbonne, Paris V. (1985)
  Diplôme d’Etudes Supérieures Spécialisées (DESS) en Psychopathologie Clinique
• American University of Beirut – Lebanon (1981)
  Masters of Art in Psychology
• American university of Beirut – Lebanon (1977)
  Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Her employment record shows the following:

Since October 1993, Mrs. Merhej joined the American University of Beirut as an Instructor in Psychology, and continues her position with AUB to present.

In October 1977, Rita started her private practice - Clinical Psychologist and Family Counseling (till present) This practice involves:

• Assessment and therapy for children with behavioral and learning difficulties.
• Assessment and referral of disabled children; coordination with schools and social organizations.
• Family counseling and parental guidance.

She has joined Future Television through the "Talk Show" program (1998 till Present)

Rita designs and presents daily live interactive 20-minute segment during the morning, .dealing with parental guidance and counseling, offering tips for healthy child development and education.

Her previous experience involved working as:

Consultant for UNRWA-Beirut (since 2000);
Clinical psychologist – Consultant in rehabilitation programs at Hadikat Al_Salam (Disability center), Saida (1994).

As well, Mrs. Moufarrej was the Director, Clinical psychologist at Friends of the Disabled Association – Beirut, from October 1988 till February 1993. Her primary responsibilities included designing and implementation of the pedagogical programs for disabled children, the supervision of vocational training for the adolescents, staff training and supervision, and Clinical assessment and follow-up on children with staff members and parents.

She also lectured in different conferences and seminars hosted by governmental, universities, United National departments, and NGO institutions for special need children.

Mrs. Rita Merhej has the following publications and professional reports:

• مرهج، ريتا، أولادنا من الولادة حتى المراهقة، أكاديميا انترناشيونال، بيروت 2001
  ( حائز على جائزة سعاد الصباح عن أفضل عمل ثقافي للعام 2001).
• مرهج ، ريتا، التوحد (تعريف، وقاية، علاج، وتأهيل)، وزارة الشؤون الاجتماعية-الجمعية الوطنية لحقوق المعاق، لبنان 2001 (قيد النشر)
• مرهج، ريتا، النشاط المفرط والنقص بالانتباه، حصادنا، العدد 2، الصليب الأحمر اللبناني-صيدا، نيسان 2000
• مايلز، كرستين، التربية المختصة، المراجعة العلمية والتعديل: ريتا مرهج وموسى شرف الدين، ورشة الموارد العربية، 1994.

• Merhej, Rita, The Disabled in the family, Al-Raida, Volume XIV, No 76 Winter 1997, pp. 28-30

• مرهج، ريتا (مفرج)، طفل متخلّف في العائلة، أصداء المعاقين، العدد الرابع الجمعية الوطنية لحقوق المعاق، لبنان، آذار 1991.

• Development of Statistics of Disabled Persons: Case studies of Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, working paper, department of International Economic and Social Affairs, Statistical Office – United Nations -(report number 83-47651).
• Rehabilitation of the Mentally Retarded, UN/TCD Project – Kuwait/ 85/001 Technical Report, May 1989.
• Merhej, Rita Mufarrij, Jaml Chouaib and Rima Za’Za, ‘The Hadicat as Salam Programme for Special Education’, fist steps: Stories on inclusion in early childhood education, UNESCO, Paris, pp-77-84. (www.unicef.org/sowc01/references/htm).
• Rehabilitation of the Mentally Retarded, UN/TCD Project – Kuwait/ 85/001 Technical Report, January 1990.

And the recognitions she received are:

• Souad Al-Sabbah Award for Best Cultural Achievement for year 2001 in coordination with AUB Alumni Association for her book: "Awladouna", by Rita Merhej
• HE Mr. Hamad Abdull-rahman Al-Madfah, Minister of Health - UAE
  For the participation in the 8th annual conference for the Woman’s Federation (April 2001)
• Global Investment House- Kuwait For the participation on a seminar on Woman and Achievement

Welcome Rita, we all wish you the best in your new assignment.