Supervised therapy
Since 2015, the Department of Social and Psychological Studies at Karlstad University has been offering a Psychology Programme. The programme include basic training in psychotherapy and psychological treatment, specialised in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Psychodynamic Therapy (PDT). Student therapists are about to finish the Psychology Programme and the psychotherapy offered forms part of their training.

As part of the Psychology Programme, we offer free psychotherapy to persons with limited problems at Karlstad University. We are unable to assist in acute or more complex cases and refer such persons to other healthcare providers.
Our supervised therapy is subject to the Health and Medical Services Act, which means that a medical journal is kept and the same confidentiality and privacy requirements apply as to other healthcare providers.
This offer is available to students and other persons who want to undergo psychotherapy. Supervised therapy will be offered from September 2018 and new clients are admitted as the student therapists complete treatment.
Supervised therapy is available in two psychotherapeutic specialisations, Psychodynamic Therapy (PDT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). At the start of semester 7 of the Psychology Programme, students select their specialisations.
Psychotherapy is offered individually and takes the form of regular conversations (once a week) for a maximum period of three semesters. Student therapists are supervised by licenced psychotherapists with many years’ experience of CBT or PDT.
TWO TYPES OF THERAPY
In Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), the client works with a student therapist. The focus is on identifying problems and their current effects, and together the client and therapist work to change the problems experienced. Treatment may include conversations and practical exercises. Clients also have to complete tasks between sessions.
In Psychodynamic Therapy (PDT), the client discusses difficulties and their current effects with a student therapist, and they work together to understand and change the situation. The clients’ relations with important persons in their lives are central in the discussions. The treatment aims at providing increased understanding of clients’ life patterns and new experiences that lead to positive changes in their situations.
The department ensures and monitors the quality of supervised therapy offered, which means that clients will have to complete an anonymous questionnaire on their problems and how they experience the therapy.
If you think that any of these forms of therapy suits you, please contact Arto Hiltunen at 076-845 80 35, or Monica Ericsson at 054-700 11 62 for more information. You can also send an email to psykologmottagningen@kau.se. Please indicate the form of therapy you prefer when contacting us.
