a space for your story to be held with compassion
Therapeutic Conversations
Sometimes, we just need someone to talk to.
Sometimes, we do not want be fixed or changed according to externally defined standards — we want to be listened to without judgement, and deeply seen in who we are, where we’ve been, and where we are trying to go from here.
Sometimes we need someone who won’t interrupt,
won’t give advice that we have not asked for,
won’t try to downplay or dismiss what we are going through,
who can hold even the most vulnerable and shameful parts of us in compassion and loving-kindness.
Someone who is comfortable with meeting us where we’re at,
in our pain, confusion, messiness,
aware that many things in life do not have quick fixes or clear answers,
trusting that ultimately, you are the expert of your own life and needs,
and — that we are not meant to figure it all out alone.
A companion and confidant who can walk alongside you, bringing steady presence where there might be overwhelm, and curiosity where there might be tension and stagnation.
Non-Clinical* Existential & Relational Counselling
Life is hard. Pain and suffering of various forms are inevitable. Conflict and injustice seem unavoidable. Eventually, everyone we love will grow old and die, including ourselves. We cannot change the past. We cannot know with certainty what will happen in the future. But we can choose how we relate to, make meaning of, and move forward in spite of all that cannot be changed or controlled.
What matters to you? What gives you meaning in life? What keeps you going when misfortune strikes and everything seems to fall apart? What do you value? How can those values guide you to make authentic and aligned decisions?
You might identify with going through an “existential crisis”, or a major life transition that is bringing up questions of meaning, purpose, direction, identity, loneliness, mortality, and more. You may be struggling to identify your values, or with how to live in alignment with them. You may be wondering if something is “wrong” with you, or if some past experiences have made you fundamentally “broken”.
I offer supportive, therapeutic conversations based on deep listening and compassionate presence that is intentionally non-clinical, non-pathologising, and refraining from any form of “diagnosis” or “treatment” of “disorder”.
I meet you from the perspective, that there is nothing wrong with you, and nothing that needs to be fixed; that many difficult thoughts and emotions are logical and reasonable responses to the inherent difficulty of living as a human — and, at the same time:
Some kinds of suffering are not inevitable,
Some coping methods may be more helpful than others,
It is possible to live a fulfilling and meaningful life regardless of circumstances,
We are more likely to “get stuck” when we try to figure it out alone.
what you can expect
Non-directive ~ client-led ~ deep listening ~ genuine curiosity
My heart and ears are my primary tool. I listen to you without interruption. If you just need to vent, express strong emotions or opinions that have been pent up for a long time without an outlet, I am here. You don’t need to worry about how it will impact me — the space is yours.
To the best of my ability, I try on what it might be like to be “in your position” — to stand side-by-side with you, looking out and around at the world from the same vantage point. I might ask questions out of genuine curiosity, to get a more complete picture of your world — and periodically reflect back things I have heard, to clarify my understanding.
I see us as co-explorers on the journey of life — walking together, staying present and curious together.
From here, there is no fixed structure to how we spend our time together. You can bring any topics that feel alive in your life at the moment. We can also make use of any of the other practices I have listed as standalone offerings elsewhere on this website. I can share relevant insights and resources from my lived experience if you request it. We do whatever will be most supportive for you, which can change from session to session.
Comfort with the unknown ~ increased capacity to stay with experience
Most big life questions do not have definitive answers or obvious solutions. When we are suffering greatly, we may have a strong desire to have an explanation (a diagnosis) and instructions on how to solve it (a treatment). We might want to have reassurance from an “expert”, that things will work out in the future, or that what we are currently trying to do is the right thing. It is perfectly normal and welcome to have these desires — and, to be clear: I do not provide diagnoses or treatments to life problems — neither from the western psychology paradigm nor any kind of alternative paradigm.
I do provide a space, that is genuine and deeply embodied, in which all of your questions, confusions and distress are welcome exactly as they are.
Where we may together have the capacity to meet them with gentle curiosity rather than engage in the reflex to “problem-solve” them away as soon as possible.
Where we can approach the change process as open-ended experimentation (“what happens if we try this?”) rather than intervention (“doing X to stop or fix Y”).
I can also offer concrete practices that we try out together, to support increasing capacity to stay with the unknown and the imperfect.
Practical considerations
Here are the standard parameters, all of which are negotiable:
each session is 60 minutes long
we meet virtually, you can join from any location you prefer (indoors or out in nature)
the first session is free so you can get a genuine feel regarding if my style is a good match for you
subsequent sessions are €50 per hour, or another amount we agree on in the first session
Although I believe this type of work is most powerful when we commit to meeting regularly over some period of time, this is not required.
why this approach works
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Unavoidable Existential Givens
Existential therapy suggests that there are certain fundamental realities of human existence which cannot ultimately be avoided, and that habitual avoidance of these realities often contributes to suffering. Buddhist teachings approach this from a somewhat different angle, yet similarly point toward the possibility that turning toward reality — rather than away from it — is part of the path toward liberation from suffering.
We live in a world where it has never been easier to avoid uncomfortable existential truths through distraction, busyness, and consumption. Yet many of these coping mechanisms gradually become additional sources of suffering themselves.
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Paradoxical Theory of Change
Perhaps you’ve experienced this yourself — the more intensely you try to force something to change, the more frustrated you become, and the less it seems to work. Yet sometimes, when you finally stop struggling against what is happening, the change you were seeking begins to emerge almost naturally.
In trying desperately to “fix”, “solve”, or get rid of an unwanted experience, we often end up strengthening its hold over our lives. This insight is central to the paradoxical theory of change in Gestalt therapy: meaningful change tends to occur not through force or self-rejection, but through deeper awareness and acceptance of what already is. A similar theme is also central to Daoist philosophy.
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Humans are Relational Beings
Sometimes we become stuck in life not because there is something inherently wrong with us, but because we have been carrying difficult experiences alone for too long. Many people learn early in life that openly expressing pain, uncertainty, or vulnerability can lead to dismissal, judgement, unwanted advice and pressure to quickly “fix” those feelings for the other person’s sake.
Having a space to share without pressure to “fix” or “change” oneself for another person’s comfort can create the safety and trust needed for honest self-exploration. When we are deeply heard without pressure to become someone else, thoughts and feelings that once felt stuck often begin to move naturally.
Questions you may have
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Quite simply, this offering is not any kind of healthcare service, and is not meant to be a replacement for that. No diagnosis or treatment of disorders - whether psychological, physiological, or spiritual / energetic.
In some parts of the world, “counselling” has a strong association with “mental health diagnosis and treatment provided by licensed healthcare workers”. Such connotation does not exist in Norway (where I live and legally operate my practice).
It is perfectly compatible to work with me at the same time as being in mental health treatment (if you need that). These are different approaches that mostly address different things.
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You can read about everything I have “completed” here.
I see this offering as something in-between the role of the modern humanistic-existential psychotherapist and that of the Buddhist or interfaith chaplain / spiritual companion. It is “sort of like” each of those things but also not.
About (“incomplete”) psychotherapy-related training experiences:
I am currently an active student in the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology program at Yorkville University
From September 2026 onwards I will be part of the 4-year training in Gestalt therapy at Norsk Gestaltinstitutt Høyskole
I was previously enrolled for 2 years in the Norwegian clinical psychology training program, and left after a persistent strong sense that working from the approach of “diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders” is not for me
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I work with people around the world, regardless of geographical location, as long as you understand that nothing I offer is a form of healthcare service. If I feel that what you actually need is mental health treatment provided by someone in your local area, I will let you know - but this is always handled on a case by case basis.
If you need someone who is very directive in their approach, if you are extremely uncomfortable with silence or slowing down in general, we are probably not a good fit.
If you (also, like me) identify as a member of the trans community, or as someone living with chronic illness / disability - I know how hard it is to find support that is affirming, where you don’t have to spent large parts of session time educating the practitioner on your lived experience. In light of the current global sociopolitical reality, I am comfortable offering ongoing support to you on a pay-what-you-can basis, even if that is nothing.