Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost?

Individual psychotherapy costs 1200 SEK per session (45 minutes).
Group therapy costs 800 SEK per session (90 minutes) or 500 SEKfor students.

How do I know if I need to see a psychologist?

When you find yourself in a situation in life that you want to understand, accept or change, but you are unable to find a way to do so yourself, this may be a sign that psychotherapy could be an appropriate option. There are many reasons to talk to a psychologist, and these can be of very different kinds. For some, it is because they are suffering from anxiety or depression. For another, it's grief after the death of a loved one. A third wants to understand why negative relationship patterns are repeated over and over again. In psychotherapy you can work on yourself and your own way of relating to your own experience and the world around you. In this way, anyone who wants to develop themselves, deepen their way of seeing the world and understand more about themselves have good reasons to see a psychologist.

I have never talked to anyone and am used to dealing with my issues myself. Isn't visiting a psychologist a sign of weakness or illness?

Not at all! We all find ourselves in situations where we need help and support to move forward. Being able to recognize when you have reached such a point can be seen as a great sign of strength. A survey from 2011 showed that one in four Swedes has seen a psychologist at some point.

What's the difference between talking to you or one of my friends?

A listening friend can be of real help in difficult situations. But talking to a professional involves certain freedoms and conditions that are difficult to achieve in other areas of life. There is a different knowledge base to draw from with a licensed psychologist. Talking to a non-judgmental person who does not have any specific demands on the conversation, and also full confidentiality, can create the freedom to explore more parts of oneself.

How do I find the right psychologist?

This is a very important question to ask. Psychotherapy is based on a working relationship between two people that cannot be compensated in any other way. Finding the right person is far more important than finding the right method. Listen carefully to your own feelings about what it is like to be in the conversations. Are there things you feel there is no room to talk about? Do you feel you can bring up when something does not feel good or helpful? Do you feel safe enough to be open and honest? My advice is to always talk to your psychologist if something is not working for you. A well-functioning relationship can withstand and be strengthened by such comments. Remember that the first conversations are an interview for both you and the psychologist, where you both need to find out certain things in order to create the right conditions. Don't be afraid to ask your questions. If you want to dig deeper into your choice, you can read articles here, here, here and here.

Do I feel bad enough?

It is common to think that what you want to work on feels "too small", that "others would not have seeked help for this" or that "there are people who feel worse". One of the great freedoms of seeing a psychologist outside of public health care is that there is no requirement for how bad things have to be to get help. If it's important to you and something you want to work on, then it's a possible starting point for psychotherapy.

Do I feel too bad?

It is also possible to think that what you are saying carries too much weight. Thoughts such as "the psychologist will think I'm crazy" or "he won't be able to listen to all this". Perhaps the feeling of resignation has become so great that it is difficult to see how anything could help. In all these cases, I would say that you are very welcome to get in touch, even if it is difficult. As psychologists, we are trained to handle even heavy and difficult issues and what gets hidden away in other contexts can be given the necessary space in psychotherapy.

Do you only meet young adults?

No, I don't. I have specifically targeted this group in my practice, but I also see people who do not fit this description.

What is expected of me?

I expect nothing more from you than a willingness to come to the sessions, to show up on time, to pay your bills and to try to speak as honestly as possible. A willingness to explore your own inner life is a prerequisite for the work of psychotherapy.

What does confidentiality mean?

Information you share with me will be kept strictly confidential and will not be disclosed without your consent. However, confidentiality is not guaranteed by law in life-threatening situations involving danger to yourself or others, or in situations where children are at risk (such as physical or psychological abuse).

How do I pay?

Payment is made by invoice sent to your email at the end of each month. You can pay by bank transfer or by Swish.

Do you take insurance?

Check with your insurance company if they cover psychotherapy and if so, whether you are free to choose your own psychologist. Are you an insurance company looking for more psychologists to work with? Contact me to discuss how I can be of help.

How does the first session work?

The first few sessions of psychotherapy are usually devoted to understanding your current situation and what it is that you are looking to get out of treatment. This can be seen as a process of me trying to understand how I can be helpful to you, and for both of us to find out if the relationship contains the right ingredients to enable what you want to achieve. The first session is the same length as later sessions and has the same price. You do not commit to anything through this first conversation. It is common to feel nervous and tense before a first meeting and this is something completely normal that usually goes away after a little while.

How often should I come?

In my practice, we meet regularly at least once a week, whether you are in individual or group therapy. It is possible to meet more often than that, but not more rarely. In my experience, this is necessary to maintain the intensity of the treatment. The frequency of visits creates a safe, structured and predictable rhythm and an environment that allows you to prepare, consciously and unconsciously, for the possibility of temporarily reducing defenses. This makes it easier to get to the root causes of your difficulties.

How long do we work together?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to answer that question in a forum like this. Everyone's circumstances are unique to them and there are many components that determine how long a therapy process will be. Psychotherapy is adapted to your specific situation and needs, which makes it difficult to describe a normal course of events.

What is your working method?

The theoretical basis of my talks is psychodynamic and existential psychotherapy. For me, these areas are endlessly fascinating. I think they offer the most profound approach to understanding another person or group and helping them become free of self-destructive patterns.

The knowledge base is used as a basis for me, but is not something you need to take into account to any great extent. That said, not all therapies are suitable for all people. There are a variety of therapeutic approaches for different problem descriptions and with different ways of working. But for most people, personal chemistry is far more important than working methodology. However, if you know for sure that these therapeutic approaches are not suitable for you, I think you can get great help elsewhere. Get in touch for recommendations or assessments.

How do you handle personal data?

On this link I have gathered all the information about GDPR and my way of handling your personal data.

Do you conduct assessments?

No, I do not conduct assessments that raise questions about diagnosis, intelligence or functioning. I am happy to discuss issues of diagnosis in conversation and can refer you to appropriate options for investigations.

Do you prescribe medicine?

As a licensed psychologist, I do not prescribe medication. I collaborate with psychiatrists who work with this and am happy to refer you there if needed.

How accessible is the building?

There are stairs up to the reception so it is unfortunately difficult to access for people with mobility difficulties.

Is there a student price?

I offer student rates for group therapy, but not for individual psychotherapy. More information on prices can be found here.