Therapy with a Private Psychologist
At Psychological Forum you can get help with relationships, stress, anxiety, crises, and other challenges. I am a licensed psychologist, PhD in psychology and have many years of experience in talk therapy with people of different ages, life circumstances, and backgrounds. Are you looking for in-depth conversations (individual therapy) where you gain more understanding of yourself, perspective and change, please contact us. We meet at the practice in Östermalm in Stockholm or online.
Therapy in Stockholm
Therapy can be helpful when life’s challenges make it hard to find direction or well-being. In our conversations, you have the opportunity to pause, reflect more deeply, process experiences, and discover new perspectives – together with a licensed psychologist. The aim is to understand your situation and explore paths forward that feel meaningful to you.
At Psychological Forum, you can find support for anxiety and worry, depression, relationships issues, migraines, fatigue, stress and other problem areas.
Sessions take place at the private practice in Östermalm, central Stockholm, or online. You are welcome to get in touch via the contact form or read more about me using the link below.
Affect-focused Therapy & ISTDP
As a licensed psychologist, I work with affect‑focused therapy based on ISTDP (Intensive Short‑Term Dynamic Psychotherapy). It is an active collaboration where we explore your wish for change, with particular attention to the role emotions play in your life.
Human well‑being can broadly be understood through the interplay of thought, emotion, and action. Affect‑focused therapy highlights the importance of emotions in a way that differs from other methods such as CBT or traditional psychodynamic therapy. Emotions are a biological part of who we are; they help us understand ourselves and others. They are not simply reactions to manage; they are sources of self‑knowledge and connection.
By approaching emotions that have previously had little space in life, clarity can emerge about thoughts, needs, and direction. In our sessions, we explore what you seek help with while paying attention to signs of inner tension or emotions that may have been avoided. Awareness of emotions, needs, and wishes opens paths toward greater understanding of yourself — and toward meaningful change.
ISTDP and Psychodynamic Therapy
ISTDP is grounded in psychodynamic therapy, in which we talk about experiences, relationships, and life events — both in the present and from the past — while keeping a clear focus on the future, where change takes shape.
Research shows that a stronger mind–body connection is a key factor in emotional healing. In ISTDP, much of the work involves becoming aware of emotional reactions and expressions we often avoid in everyday life — such as anger, joy, or the longing for closeness.
When the connection between emotional experience and thought is weakened, it becomes harder to understand and guide oneself. It may feel unclear what we react to and why, which can lead to stagnation or mental distress.
When emotions receive attention, they become a source of insight—a deeper understanding of who we are. Through this process, we move closer to ourselves and to others.
A Warmer Approach to ISTDP
I work with a warmer, more relational form of ISTDP, where we attend to both challenges and strengths, obstacles and possibilities, and losses and hopes for the future. While psychological training often focuses on pathology, it is equally important to recognize the constructive processes that coexist with difficulties.
Emotions are rarely simple — they can be both painful and life‑giving. By exploring emotions that have previously blocked closeness, presence, agency, or creativity, space is created for vitality and well‑being.
A Holistic Perspective in Therapy
In therapy, we attend to both the inner world and the outer reality. We talk about obstacles and avoidances, but also about feelings and needs that move us toward what we long for. Research shows that we are inherently social beings — our experiences of relationships, life contexts, and the surrounding world shape how we think, feel, and act.
While ISTDP often focuses on inner psychological processes, my approach also includes external factors such as relationships, life events, and context to create a more complete picture.
An Individualized Therapy Process
The structure and length of therapy — its content, focus, and direction — are tailored to your needs and life situation. In the first sessions, we explore what you wish to change and what form of therapy may suit you best. Therapy typically begins right away, and follow‑up sessions last 50 minutes or longer, as needed.
Many people choose short‑term therapy (around 12–16 sessions) with the option to continue if needed. Others prefer a longer process, lasting six months, a year, or more — depending on the kind of growth and change they seek.
Research on Therapy
ISTDP is a well‑researched therapeutic approach with demonstrated effectiveness for anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, dependency issues, and physical symptoms such as pain, dizziness, and stomach problems. Studies confirm positive results for both short‑term and long‑term conditions.
For an overview of research, see this summary of ISTDP studies by Allan Abbas and an article by Lilliengren et al. (2016).
Recent findings by Leichsenring et al. (2023) show that psychodynamic therapy — the foundation of ISTDP — can be strongly recommended for psychological difficulties. A meta‑analysis by Liliengren et al. (2025) further confirms ISTDP’s positive effects in both the short and long term for depression, anxiety, somatic problems, and personality‑related difficulties.
_edi.png)
Research on the Role of Emotions
Current research highlights how emotions shape the ways we perceive, process, act, remember, and plan in everyday life. Emotions influence whether we approach or withdraw from what we wish to engage with — and they play a key role in well‑being, agency, and relationships. An increasing number of therapeutic approaches now emphasize the central role of emotions.
One of the most healing aspects of affect‑focused therapy is the attention it gives to emotional experience. By identifying and expressing emotions while exploring the issues that matter most, deeper self‑understanding can develop.
Research on interoception — the ability to turn awareness inward — shows how this strengthens our sense of self in social contexts (Arnold et al., 2019) and improves the capacity to recognize and regulate emotions (Zamariola et al., 2019).
Book Guidance & Therapy
I am a lic. psychologist with extensive experience, offering therapy at my private practice in Östermalm, central Stockholm, as well as online.
Together, we explore an approach that fits your needs and circumstances — whether you prefer to meet in person or online.
Maria Sandgren
Licensed Psychologist, PhD in Psychology