Academic Staff

July 14, 2026, 4:50 a.m.
Kovan Ahmed Abdullah (Master)
None
Assistant Lecturer in Psychology

Educational Counseling
College of Basic Education
University of Duhok

MA in Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology, The Institute of Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology at the University of Duhok (Kurdistan Region, Iraq), In Collaboration With: The State Corporate University of Baden Württemberg (DHBW) and Eberhard-Karl's University of Tübingen (Germany), 2021.

BA in Psychology, College of Basic Education, University of Duhok, 2015.

Since September 2021, I have served as an Assistant Lecturer at the University of Duhok, teaching undergraduate courses in psychology and education across several colleges and departments. My teaching portfolio includes Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Positive Psychology, Physiological Psychology, and Educational Psychology. These courses have enabled me to bridge foundational theory with the practical and clinical competencies required for academic and professional practice in psychology and counseling.

From February to October 2024, I also served as a Local Lecturer at the Institute of Psychotherapy and Psycho traumatology (IPP), where I contributed to professional training based on evidence-based psychological approaches. This role strengthened my engagement with applied clinical practice and reinforced the importance of translating research into practical skills.

Across both roles, my teaching philosophy emphasizes student-centered learning, active participation, and the integration of contemporary research with real-world application. I aim to foster critical thinking, ethical practice, and lifelong learning, equipping students with the knowledge and competencies needed to succeed in psychology, education, and counseling.

My professional experience reflects a sustained commitment to advancing mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) through humanitarian practice, clinical service, professional training, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Alongside my academic responsibilities, I have held leadership and clinical positions with national and international organizations, including SEED Foundation, the Institute of Psychotherapy and Psycho traumatology (IPP), Un Ponte Per (UPP), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF–Switzerland), the Directorate of Health (DOH), and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

My professional work has centered on the delivery, coordination, and supervision of evidence-based mental health and psychosocial interventions for displaced populations, refugees, and conflict-affected communities across the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. These roles have encompassed clinical psychology, psychotherapy, psychological supervision, program coordination, and suicide prevention initiatives, with a particular emphasis on trauma-informed care, psychosocial resilience, and capacity building.

These experiences have enabled me to integrate academic knowledge with humanitarian practice while contributing to multidisciplinary teams, strengthening mental health services, and promoting high standards of psychological care in complex emergency settings. They continue to inform my teaching, research, and professional practice, reinforcing the connection between psychological science and real-world humanitarian needs.

Research

My research interests lie broadly within clinical psychology and psychotherapy, with a particular focus on psychological trauma and its effects on mental health. I am especially interested in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), childhood trauma, and the psychological consequences of exposure to conflict, displacement, and other adverse life experiences.

My research examines the relationships between traumatic experiences and a range of mental health outcomes, including emotional disorders, personality disorders, and behavioral problems. Through this work, I seek to advance the understanding of trauma-related psychopathology and to identify factors that promote resilience, recovery, and long-term psychological well-being.

A further area of interest involves the application and evaluation of evidence-based psychological interventions, particularly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Positive Psychology. My goal is to contribute to the development of effective, culturally informed therapeutic approaches that enhance psychological well-being and strengthen mental health practice in both clinical and humanitarian settings.

Since 2022, I have supervised undergraduate graduation theses, guiding students in conducting research across a broad range of topics in general and clinical psychology. My supervision emphasizes research integrity, critical thinking, methodological rigor, and the application of psychological theory to contemporary clinical and social issues. Through this role, I aim to support students in developing the knowledge, analytical skills, and research competencies required for academic and professional success.