About Maria Sandgren
Lic. psychologist & PhD in psychology
About me
I live and work in Stockholm. During my professional life, I have been working with psychology as a licensed psychologist, PhD psychology, and researcher. For the past few years, I have been working full-time in private practice and have immersed myself in affect-focused therapy.
It is essential to carefully consider what I can do to help a person experience more well-being, desirable relationships, and vitality. Every person is unique. There are several reasons why clients do not live the lives they want and need. The client and I explore the obstacles, how we can solve them, and focus on what lies beyond the problems. I very much appreciate meeting and helping people who have tried therapy once or several times but have not experienced the desired change. Those who are trying therapy for the first time are, of course, also very welcome.
My approach as a psychologist and therapist is primarily affect-focused and psychodynamic, based on psychology about relationships, emotions, cognition, and the life course. I still read a few scientific articles weekly and think about how to reach even more people with psychological knowledge.
In the summer of 2025, I will launch #emotionelltmedveten (Instagram) for private persons, focusing on emotions and relationships – our feelings for ourselves and others. In Fall 2025 I will offer courses in psychology for health care professionals working with affect-focused therapy. I founded Psykologiskt forum with the aim of offering services such as therapy and education based on my experience and knowledge from private practice and psychological research.
Outside work, I enjoy photography, jazz music, and French culture (literature, radio, and travel). What I would like to do more of is spend time outdoors, preferably by the sea, and go hiking, but time is just too short.
Education
Registered psychologist with a psychology degree from Uppsala University (1997) specializing in psychodynamic therapy.
PhD in psychology, Stockholm University (2005) with a thesis on factors underlying professional development (well-being, personality, learning, and performance) in music. Award for best doctoral dissertation, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University.
Participated in the first ISTDP (Intensive Short-Term Dynamic therapy) core training (2012-2015) in Sweden with Professor Allan Abbas, Canada, and MSW Jon Frederickson, USA. Continued with ISTDP advanced training (2021-2022) with Professor Allan Abbas and Dr Joel Town, Clinical Psychologist, Canada.
Various courses on university level in French and German, drama/theatre/film, pedagogy, group processes, photography (theoretically, practically), etc., at Stockholm University, Umeå University, Karolinska Institute, and Gothenburg University.
Research
My research focuses on social psychology (attitudes, gender equality, political orientation), work psychology (interpersonal conflicts in working life), and music psychology (well-being, choral singing, elderly, artistic development). Affiliated researcher at Mälardalen University, Sweden.