Individual Therapy in Oslo, Norway in English

I'm not just someone who offers therapy in English. I'm a native English speaker from Scotland. English is my first language, and I grew up in that culture. That matters more than people realise. When you're trying to articulate something difficult, subtle shifts in language and understanding make a big difference. I understand the cultural references, the humour, the unspoken assumptions about how therapy works or what mental health means. I've also lived in Oslo for over 10 years, so I know what it's like to be an outsider here. I understand the expat experience from the inside. Not as theory, as lived reality. My approach is integrative psychotherapy combined with Compassionate Inquiry, a trauma-informed method developed by Dr. Gabor Mate. I focus on understanding the root of your patterns, not just managing symptoms. And I work with a lot of highly capable, successful people who are struggling in ways that don't fit the usual narratives about mental health.

There's no fixed timeline. Some people come for a few months to work through a specific issue or transition. Others stay longer because the work goes deeper or because they find ongoing support valuable. I work with people weekly or fortnightly depending on what makes sense for them. In the beginning, weekly sessions tend to be more effective because they build momentum and allow us to work in a more connected way. After a while, some people shift to fortnightly or monthly check-ins. Therapy isn't a quick fix, but it's also not meant to be endless. The goal is always to help you get to a place where you feel more capable, more connected to yourself, and less dependent on external support. How long that takes depends on what you're working with, how much capacity you have, and what pace feels right. I'm not interested in keeping people in therapy longer than they need to be.

No, I work exclusively in English. I speak Norwegian well enough to live here, but therapy requires a different level of fluency and cultural understanding. When you're working with something difficult, you need to be able to express yourself fully, without translating or editing. For English speakers, that means working with someone who understands not just the words but the context, the tone, the nuances. That's what I offer. If you're looking for therapy in Norwegian, I'm not the right fit. But if you're a native English speaker or someone who thinks and processes emotions more easily in English, that's exactly who I work with. Most of my clients are expats from the UK, Ireland, North America, Australia, and South Africa. People who are highly articulate in English and need a therapist who can match that.

I offer both. My practice is at Ruseløkkveien 59 in Oslo, about two minutes from Aker Brygge. It's a quiet, private space designed for therapy. Some people prefer in-person sessions because they find it easier to settle into the work when they're physically present. Others prefer online sessions via Zoom because of logistics, schedules, or just personal preference. I also work with clients across Scandinavia who aren't based in Oslo. Zoom sessions work well, especially once we've established a rhythm. The quality of the work doesn't depend on whether you're in the room or on a screen. It depends on the relationship, the consistency, and your willingness to engage. I don't have a strong preference either way. What matters is that you show up and that the format works for your life.

I work with integrative psychotherapy, which means I draw from different therapeutic traditions depending on what's most useful for you. The foundation of my work is relational and trauma-informed. I also use Compassionate Inquiry, a method developed by Dr. Gabor Mate that focuses on understanding the deeper patterns beneath your current struggles. It's not about managing symptoms or learning coping strategies, though those things can be part of the process. It's about understanding why you do what you do, what you're protecting yourself from, and what needs to shift for you to feel more like yourself. Sessions are conversational, not prescriptive. I'm not interested in giving advice or telling you what to do. The work is collaborative. You talk, I listen, and together we figure out what's going on under the surface. Some sessions are more exploratory. Others are more focused. It depends on where you are and what you need.

Session fees are discussed during the free consultation. I work privately, which means sessions are not covered by the Norwegian public health system. Some private health insurance policies may offer partial reimbursement, but that varies. If cost is a concern, we can talk about it openly. I do offer a limited number of reduced-fee slots for people who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford therapy. I also work with some clients fortnightly rather than weekly, which spreads the cost. Therapy is an investment, and I understand that not everyone is in a position to make that investment right now. But if you are, and if we're a good fit, the work we do together will be worth it.

No. You don't need a referral from a doctor or anyone else. You can contact me directly and book a free 20-minute consultation. That's the first step. It's a chance for us to talk, for you to get a sense of how I work, and for me to understand what you're looking for. If it feels like a good fit, we'll schedule your first session. If it doesn't, I'll do my best to point you in the right direction. Therapy works best when there's a sense of trust and alignment, and that's something you can usually feel pretty quickly. The consultation is informal, not an assessment. There's no obligation. It's just a conversation.

The easiest way is to book a free 20-minute consultation. You can do that through the form on this page, or you can call or email me directly. We'll arrange a time to talk, either on the phone or via Zoom. During that conversation, you can tell me a bit about what's going on and what you're hoping to get from therapy. I'll explain how I work, answer any questions you have, and we'll see if it makes sense to move forward. If we decide to work together, we'll schedule your first session. That first session is 50 minutes, and it's a chance to go deeper into what brought you here. After that, we'll decide together on a rhythm that works for you, whether that's weekly, fortnightly, or something else. If you're not sure whether therapy is right for you, the consultation is a good place to start.