Psychology lectures for companies and organisations
I offer psychology lectures and workshops for companies, organisations, associations and other groups. My lectures draw on psychological research, extensive clinical experience and many years of university teaching. The content and format are tailored to the organisation and the audience.
I offer lectures and workshops in person in Stockholm and online throughout Sweden.
Lecture topics in psychology
The lectures offer new perspectives on how we understand ourselves, one another, and what happens within groups and organisations. I explore questions that many people recognise but may find difficult to put into words – in working life, in relationships and in life more broadly.
Below are examples of topics that can be offered individually or adapted to a particular theme relevant to your organisation.
Self-criticism and perfectionism
Wanting to do something well can be an important source of motivation. But when expectations become difficult to meet, self-criticism, shame and fear of making mistakes can limit both individuals and organisations. This lecture explores the difference between striving to do something well and perfectionism, and how patterns of self-criticism affect our actions, relationships and willingness to try something new.
Emotions and relationships
Emotions help us understand what matters to us, navigate relationships and respond to what happens around us. At the same time, emotions can be difficult to recognise, understand and express. This lecture offers psychological perspectives on the significance of emotions and what happens when we find it difficult to connect with one another.
Loneliness
Loneliness is not simply a matter of how many people we have around us. We may lack close relationships, feel excluded from a group or experience a sense that others do not truly know us. This lecture explores different forms of loneliness, our need for belonging, and what can make human connection and a sense of togetherness more possible.
Grief and change
Loss can affect everyday life, relationships and our sense of who we are. Grief may follow the death of someone close to us, but it can also arise in connection with illness, separation, changing life circumstances or the loss of something meaningful. This lecture explores the different ways grief can be experienced and expressed, and how people seek to maintain a sense of continuity and move forward in a changed life.
Self-esteem
Our understanding of ourselves develops through our relationships with others and continues to change throughout life. Self-esteem influences how we interpret our experiences, find our place in groups and respond to achievements, mistakes and criticism. This lecture explores how self-esteem develops, what makes it vulnerable and how a more nuanced relationship with ourselves can emerge.
Social processes in the workplace
What happens in a workplace can rarely be understood solely in terms of individual personality characteristics. Communication, roles, group processes and power relations influence who is given space, who is listened to and how people work together. This lecture offers a social psychological perspective on belonging, exclusion and professional relationships.
Trust
Trust makes it possible to collaborate, ask for help, share ideas and live with a degree of uncertainty. When trust is weakened, vigilance, suspicion and the need for control may become more prominent. This lecture explores how trust develops and changes in relationships, groups and organisations, and what may contribute to strengthening or undermining it.
The psychology of creativity
Creativity is not only about artistic expression. It also involves recognising new possibilities, exploring questions and trying something without knowing what the outcome will be. This lecture examines curiosity, motivation and tolerance of uncertainty, as well as how self-criticism, fear of making mistakes and restrictive environments can inhibit creativity and new ways of thinking.
A lecture for your organisation
A lecture can focus on one of the topics above or be developed around a question of particular relevance to your organisation. The content, duration and format are planned in consultation with the organiser and adapted to the subject, audience and context.
Lectures can take place in person in Stockholm or online, either as standalone presentations or combined with reflection, questions and group discussions.
About Maria Sandgren
I am a licensed psychologist, hold a PhD in Psychology and am a certified ISTDP therapist. I have worked as a psychologist since 1997, meeting people in a wide range of life situations and professional contexts.
For many years, I taught a variety of psychology subjects at university level. I continue to follow current research, and in my lectures I bring together psychological knowledge, clinical experience and an interest in making complex questions understandable without oversimplifying them.
Alongside my work as a psychologist, I am also a fine art photographer. This has given me additional perspectives on creativity, artistic processes and the ways people explore and give form to their experiences.
Enquire about a lecture or workshop
Please tell me a little about your organisation, the topics you are interested in and who will be attending. If you already have preferences regarding dates, duration or format, you are welcome to include them.
You do not need to have a fully developed plan – we can explore together what would be most suitable for your organisation.
I will respond by email as soon as possible.