Mary Cogar Receives Community Human Rights Award

DC, DC, December 10, 2011 --(PR.com)-- The United National Association of the National Capital Area (UNA-NCA) today recognized Mary C. Cogar, Clinical Director of Advocates for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (ASTT) with the Community Human Rights Award, 2011.

In 1999, Dr. Cogar, a licensed psychologist joined with ASTT to assist individuals who have suffered torture at the hands of their governments. Dr. Cogar provides compassionate and culturally sensitive psychological assessment and treatment to torture survivors. As Clinical Director, she leads the clinical staff of ASTT and supervises numerous doctoral psychology students.

Dr. Cogar makes a profound impact on the lives of others. Survivors speak of her with gratitude and warmth; psychologists trained at ASTT reflect years later of her impact on their profession and lives; staff appreciate her dedication and motivation; and judges and lawyers speak with respect of her expert testimony.

Dr. Cogar is joined at the awards luncheon on December 8, 2011 by members of her family and ASTT Executive Director Dr. Karen Hanscom.

Advocates for Survivors of Torture and Trauma provides comprehensive mental health care and social services to survivors of torture and war trauma. ASTT is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is: to alleviate the suffering of those who have experienced the trauma of torture, to educate the local, national, and world community about the needs of torture survivors, and to advocate on their behalf. We operate offices in Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C. www.astt.org.

###