Couples Therapy in Greater Oslo, Norway - in English

I work with the full range of relationship struggles. Communication breakdown is the most common starting point, where couples feel they're talking past each other or endlessly repeating the same argument. I also work with trust issues after infidelity, resentment that's built up over time, navigating different expectations around money or parenting, dealing with life transitions that have changed the relationship dynamic, and sexual disconnection or mismatched desire. For expat couples specifically, there's often pressure from relocation, one partner feeling isolated, career sacrifices, or disagreements about how long to stay in Norway. We also address whether to stay together or separate, when one or both partners feel stuck. The work is about creating enough safety and understanding to actually talk about what's happening, rather than defending or shutting down.

It's not ideal, but it's also very common. Often one partner is ready to start and the other is hesitant, defensive, or just worn out. If that's your situation, I'd still recommend booking the free consultation. Sometimes hearing from a third party that therapy isn't about blame helps shift the resistance. If your partner genuinely refuses, individual therapy can still help you understand your part in the dynamic, clarify what you need, and figure out your next steps. That said, couples therapy works best when both people are in the room. It's not about ganging up on anyone, it's about helping both of you see and shift the patterns you're stuck in. If your partner is reluctant but willing to try one session, that's often enough to ease the fear and get things moving.

Individual therapy is useful if you need to work through your own attachment patterns, past relationship trauma, or emotional reactivity. It helps you understand yourself better. Couples therapy looks at the relationship as its own system. The issue isn't usually one person's fault, it's the cycle you're both caught in. In couples work, I'm tracking how you communicate, where you misunderstand each other, what each of you is protecting, and what neither of you is saying. I help both partners see their role in keeping the pattern going, and give you tools to break it. It's also more immediate. You're not just talking about your partner, you're sitting next to them, working through real issues in real time. That's harder, but it's also what makes it effective.

It depends on what you're working on and how entrenched the patterns are. Some couples come for a few months to work through a specific issue like adjusting to expat life or recovering from a betrayal. Others stay longer because they want to rebuild trust, improve communication, or address deeper relational wounds. I don't believe in dragging therapy out, but I also don't push a quick fix when the work needs time. Most couples start noticing shifts within the first few sessions, like feeling more heard or understanding each other's perspective differently. That doesn't mean everything is resolved, but it's a sign the work is moving. We review progress as we go, and you're always in control of when to continue or step back.

Yes, couples therapy only works when both people are present. The whole point is to work on the relationship dynamic, and I can't do that with one person in the room. If one partner misses a session, we reschedule. That said, there are times when I might suggest individual sessions for each of you, particularly if there's something one person needs to process separately before bringing it into the couples work. That's different from one partner just not showing up. Therapy requires commitment from both of you, not because I'm rigid about it, but because the work itself depends on it. If attending is genuinely difficult because of schedules or distance, Zoom makes it much easier to stay consistent.

Sessions are NOK 1,400 per 60 minutes. That's the same rate whether you're coming in-person to my office in Oslo or meeting via Zoom. Couples therapy is rarely covered by Norwegian public health, so this is a private pay service. I understand that cost can be a barrier, especially if you're paying out of pocket, but I also know that unresolved relationship distress has its own cost, emotionally and practically. If the fee is a concern, we can talk about session frequency during the consultation. Some couples benefit from weekly sessions at the start, others prefer fortnightly. There's no minimum commitment, you're not locked into a package. You pay per session and we adjust as needed.

Yes, and it works just as well as in-person therapy for most couples. I've been doing Zoom sessions since long before the pandemic, particularly for clients in Greater Oslo who prefer not to commute into the city, or expat couples living elsewhere in Norway, Sweden, or Denmark. You need a private space where you can both sit together and talk openly, a decent internet connection, and ideally headphones so we can all hear each other clearly. Zoom removes the logistical friction of coordinating schedules and travel, which often makes it easier to stay consistent. Some couples prefer the ritual of coming to the office, and that's fine too. Both options are available, and you can switch between them if your circumstances change.

Start with the free 20-minute consultation. You can book that through the form on this page, or call me directly on +47 906 02 994. The consultation is a chance to talk briefly about what's going on, ask any questions you have, and see if this feels like the right fit. If we decide to move forward, we'll schedule your first full session, which is 60 minutes. I'll send you a confirmation with all the details, whether that's the address of my office in Oslo at Ruseløkkveien 59, or a Zoom link if you're meeting online. Both partners should attend the first session. There's no paperwork to fill out in advance, we just start talking. The goal of that first session is to understand what's brought you here, what you each want from therapy, and to begin mapping the dynamic between you.