CHANGE IS POSSIBLE IN THE PRESENT AND FOR THE FUTURE
ARE YOU CONSIDERING THERAPY?
The basic idea behind therapy is that it should remove obstacles, provide insights and offer new perspectives that can empower you to act more freely in your own life. This can be applied, for example, to promote a better sense of wellbeing in relationships, in everyday life and at work. A cornerstone of this therapy is that every person is unique, with unique experiences that have shaped the course of their life
This type of therapy promotes the idea that right here and now in the present, as well as in the future, there are opportunities for change. It also recognises that in our past there are experiences to reflect over, learn from and work on.
People seeking therapy do so for a variety of reasons, including help dealing with relationships, anxiety, depression, loneliness, crises, trauma, stress and sadness. Therapy can be a support and help you work through any issues.
Some people might feel as though they are not living life to the full. Others have had complicated life experiences and might need a safe and neutral place to come to for confidential conversations.

CHANGE IS POSSIBLE IN THE PRESENT AND FOR THE FUTURE
ARE YOU CONSIDERING THERAPY?
The basic idea behind therapy is that it should remove obstacles, provide insights and offer new perspectives that can empower you to act more freely in your own life. This can be applied, for example, to promote a better sense of wellbeing in relationships, in everyday life and at work. A cornerstone of this therapy is that every person is unique, with unique experiences that have shaped the course of their life
This type of therapy promotes the idea that right here and now in the present, as well as in the future, there are opportunities for change. It also recognises that in our past there are experiences to reflect over, learn from and work on.
People seeking therapy do so for a variety of reasons, including help dealing with relationships, anxiety, depression, loneliness, crises, trauma, stress and sadness. Therapy can be a support and help you work through any issues.
Some people might feel as though they are not living life to the full. Others have had complicated life experiences and might need a safe and neutral place to come to for confidential conversations.



More vitality on the inside and in life
Anxiety and depression
Anxiety and depression can take many different forms. The symptoms can be more or less severe and for a shorter or longer time. The symptoms can be negative thoughts, pressing anxiety in the chest, low self-worth, having too few moments of joy, having difficulties to participate in everyday life, leisure and work etc. The sense of life quality is affected.
The causes of anxiety and depression can also vary. External stressors in the present may have triggered anxiety and depression. There can also be relational trauma and emotional neglect during childhood or later in adulthood. Also not having learned to connect one's experiences to emotions (avoiding and putting feelings and needs aside) and not being able to express them in relationships can cause anxiety and depression in the long run.

More vitality on the inside and in life
Anxiety and depression
Anxiety and depression can take many different forms. The symptoms can be more or less severe and for a shorter or longer time. The symptoms can be negative thoughts, pressing anxiety in the chest, low self-worth, having too few moments of joy, having difficulties to participate in everyday life, leisure and work etc. The sense of life quality is affected.
The causes of anxiety and depression can also vary. External stressors in the present may have triggered anxiety and depression. There can also be relational trauma and emotional neglect during childhood or later in adulthood. Also not having learned to connect one's experiences to emotions (avoiding and putting feelings and needs aside) and not being able to express them in relationships can cause anxiety and depression in the long run.

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.


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.



Therapy from a mind-body approach
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.
Therapy from a mind-body approach
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.


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.

How To Get In Touch
Meeting location: (Trädgårdsgatan) and at Östermalmstorg (Humlegårdsgatan) in central Stockholm, Sweden. Also online therapy.
Mobile: +46 (0) 73 – 71 70 777
E-mail: kontakt@psykologisktforum.se
Postal address: Psykologiskt forum Sverige AB
Maria Sandgren, Karlaplan 5 b, 114 60 Stockholm
Contact me for questions and therapy
How To Get In Touch
Meeting location: (Trädgårdsgatan) and at Östermalmstorg (Humlegårdsgatan) in central Stockholm, Sweden. Also online therapy.
Mobile: +46 (0) 73 – 71 70 777
E-mail: kontakt@psykologisktforum.se
Postal address: Psykologiskt forum Sverige AB
Maria Sandgren, Karlaplan 5 b, 114 60 Stockholm
Contact me for questions and therapy