More vitality on the inside and in life

Om ångest

Att ha ångest och oro brukar främst märkas i att man bekymrar sig för att saker och ting ska gå fel. Att övertänka och vara uppvarvad är två symtom bland många andra. Även kroppsliga symtom som rastlöshet, svårt att sova, hjärtklappning kan vara tecken på ångest. När någon säger att ”det är mycket känslor” brukar det mer handla om att man har många tankar samtidigt och inte kan finna riktning, utan övertänker och oroar sig.

I terapisamtalen kommer du och jag att se vad som är ångestsymtom och vad som är känslor. Känslor tillhör det emotionella systemet och ger lugn och visshet, även riktning för vad man vill och behöver. Man kan säga att du kommer att lära dig att reglera ångesten och att istället känna handlingskraft och känslomässig närvaro.

More genuine presence in relationships

Relationships

What clients would like to have help with varies concerning relationships. It can be about problems in current relationships (partner, children, at leisure and work). Other reasons to seek therapy are recurrent patterns of withdrawing from relationships and avoid closeness or there might be patterns of over-adapting to others’ expectations. There might also be a mix of these patterns in a person’s relationships.

Another reason for therapy is that one gets angry or miscontent in relationships, and then push people away. Others seek therapy because they do not withdraw from relationships that negatively affect their well-being.

The client and I usually work with an ISTDP approach with focus on relational and emotional processes. Other times we work based on a combination of ISTDP and a cognitive approach. Any ISTDP therapy involves the two approaches but they can be more or less emphasized. How the client and I work depends on what changes the client wishes to do and what is needed for the changes to take place.

Samtal för ökad Vitalitet

Exhaustion & somatic problems

Exhaustion, stress reactions and other somatic symptoms have some similarities. They often persist over a longer period of time and may lack medical evidence. Symptoms of pain, stiffness, tremors, lack of energy, concentration difficulties etc are some examples. For other somatic problems such as narcolepsy, medical evidence can be available.

The reasons why the symptoms have developed can be several. Injury, illness or trauma may be behind the development of symptoms. It may also be unclear why the symptoms have occurred.

Living with long-term somatic problems is demanding. It is a challenge to constantly find solutions for everyday life, work and relationships so that life can continue as well as possible.

For this type of psychological treatment it is important to pay attention to the difference between 'thinking and knowing' about the problems and 'feeling and knowing' about which emotional processes could reduce anxiety and depression, and which emotional processes that can strengthen vitality and activity in everyday and working life.

For the treatment of exhaustion and bodily complaints, the client and I work initially based on a combination of ISTDP (on emotional and relational processes) and a cognitive-behavioral approach. How the client and I later work depends on what changes the client wishes to do and what is needed for the changes to take place.

Registered Psychologist, PhD

MARIA SANDGREN

Throughout my career I have focused on three key areas of psychology: private practice, research and teaching. Having worked with such different disciplines has given me a broad knowledge base as well as a deeper understanding of people (individuals, groups and our role in society).

I started conducting research at Uppsala University directly after graduation (reg. Psychologist) and immediately opened my own private practice. I later received my PhD in Psychology from Stockholm University.

I initially started working with psychodynamic therapy and have also since then included areas such as emotion, cognition , social psychology and interpersonal relationships in my therapeutic work. I am acutely aware that people are a part of their social environment, which influences many parts of their lives, including relationships, feelings, attitudes and actions.  

In recent years I have qualified in affect - focused therapy and practice a softer form of ISTDP (Intensive Short - Term Dynamic Therapy). The advantage of affect - focused therapy is that it recognises emotions and bodily responses in a different way to standard PDT therapy and reinforces processes of change.