New Faculty: Tima al Jamil

Professor Tima al Jamil

Never having lived in Lebanon full-time or taught at a university, Tima al Jamil is very happy to be part of the faculty of AUB's Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Being half Lebanese, with many relatives in Lebanon and fond memories of her childhood summers at the sea, she welcomes the chance to live in Beirut more permanently.

Born and raised in Saudi Arabia, Jamil completed most of her education in the United States. She received her undergraduate degree in psychology at the University of Virginia and a PhD in Adult Clinical and Behavioral Pathology at St. John's in New York City. After completing her degree in 2003, she began serving the city of New York as a clinical psychologist for outpatients at an inner-city hospital in Brooklyn. She warmly describes the work. She loved watching the emotional healing and the introspection of the people she worked with, but admits that it was also emotionally draining. She says that working with healthy, stable people now is a relief. "I love teaching and I love the students," she remarks and is happy to be offering students the benefit of her clinical experience in an academic environment.

Jamil has not forgotten about her clinical work, however, and is eager to get back to seeing patients. She also hopes to develop clinical research projects, taking into account the particular idiosyncrasies of the Lebanese population. "Because of the war, Lebanon sees a lot of post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and depression and panic issues. Eating disorders are also very prevalent." Jamil especially looks forward to working with patients with a history of long trauma. Beyond this research and clinical work, Jamil is joining an awareness campaign to promote self-esteem in Lebanese youth.