Dóra Varga-Sabján

psychologist, child rights expert, couples- and family therapist candidate

I’ve earned my first MA degree in Psychology in 2005 at the University of Pécs, Hungary. Due to my interest in child abuse and institutional responses to it, I’ve continued my studies in the legal field, earned an MA degree in International Law and Human Rights at the University for Peace, Costa Rica, and was a PhD student at the University of Pécs, Faculty of Law between 2012 and 2018.

I am a couples- and family therapist candidate at the Hungarian Family Therapy Association. As a member of the Pressley Ridge Hungary foundation I am currently being trained in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics, a trauma framework introduced by dr. Bruce D. Perry.

I’ve gained my first professional experiences during my long visits and volunteerships in China and South America. I’ve worked with children living with autism and their caretakers at the Stars and Rain Institution in Beijing; was a volunteer teacher in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Costa Rica and Venezuela; and worked as a volunteer coordinator and psychologist at a day care centre for children living in deep poverty in Cajamarca, Peru.

In Hungary I’ve been working as a psychologist in the child protection system and also in private practice, especially with adolescents, young adults, couples and families. Apart from this I am taking part in research projects on the fields of traumatization, child protection and the administration of justice, and also work as a lecturer at the University of Pécs, Faculty of Law and the Psychology Institution.

My working languages are English, Spanish and Hungarian. I work with individual clients, couples and families.

When working with clients I try to use the cultural sensitivity as a source of understanding. I believe that a person can be fully comprehended in the cultural and familiar context he or she was raised in and currently inhabits. I try to help my clients on their way to understand their present situation and possible obstacles, to accept themselves truly and thus make the necessary steps towards the desired change.