About Maria Sandgren
Lic. psychologist & PhD in psychology
About me
I live and work in Stockholm and have devoted most of my professional life to understanding the human being – our emotions, relationships, and capacity for change. I am a licensed psychologist and hold a PhD in psychology. For several years now, I have been running my private practice full-time, focusing on affect-focused and relational psychotherapy.
In therapy, I meet people in many different situations – sometimes in crisis, sometimes in a search for deeper self-understanding and connection with others. Together, we explore what stands in the way of emotional well-being and how feelings can become a path toward clarity and vitality. I especially value working with people who may have been in therapy before but feel that the change they hoped for has not yet happened. At the same time, every meeting is unique, and everyone who wishes to explore themselves is warmly welcome.
I regularly follow research on affect theory and psychotherapy and often reflect on how scientific insights can intersect with personal experience in the therapy room. Research has always been an integral part of my professional life – a way to deepen the understanding of human emotions, relationships, and development throughout life.
Outside of my work, I engage in photography, jazz, and French culture – areas where I also find expression for presence, sensitivity, and curiosity.
Education
Licensed psychologist, Master’s degree in psychology from Uppsala University (1997), with a specialization in psychodynamic psychotherapy.
PhD in Psychology, Stockholm University (2005). My doctoral dissertation examined factors related to professional development – wellbeing, personality, learning, and performance – in music. It was awarded “Best Doctoral Thesis” by the Department of Psychology, Stockholm University.
Completed the first Swedish core training in ISTDP (Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy) from 2012–2015 with Professor Allan Abbass (Canada) and MSW Jon Frederickson (USA). Later advanced ISTDP training (2021–2022) with Professor Allan Abbass and PhD, licensed psychologist Joel Town (Canada).
I have also studied French, German, drama/theatre/film, higher education pedagogy, group processes, voice work, artistic projects, and photography at several Swedish universities.
Research
My research focuses on social psychology (attitudes, gender equality, political orientation), and music psychology (well-being, choral singing at older age, artistic development).