Johan Torsteinsrud

My therapeutic style is structured, thoughtful, and collaborative. I work from the understanding that meaningful change happens when insight and practical tools are integrated. Sessions are not passive conversations; they are intentional spaces where we identify patterns, explore underlying emotional processes, and develop strategies that support sustainable psychological growth. At the beginning of our work, we clarify what brings you to therapy and what you would like to be different. Some clients arrive with a clear goal, while others come with a sense of overwhelm or confusion. Both are equally valid starting points. I help you slow the process down, identify what is happening internally, and understand how thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and relational dynamics interact. This creates a foundation for change that is grounded rather than reactive. I draw primarily from evidence-based frameworks, including cognitive behavioural therapy, trauma-informed approaches, and psychodynamic perspectives. In practice, this means we may examine belief systems that maintain anxiety, explore attachment patterns that influence relationships, or work with nervous system regulation when stress or trauma responses are activated. I adapt my approach depending on what is clinically appropriate and what resonates with you. Therapy should never feel formulaic; it should feel responsive and tailored. Clients often describe sessions with me as calm, focused, and direct. I am engaged and attentive, and I will ask questions that encourage reflection and depth. At times, I may gently challenge assumptions or highlight patterns that are difficult to see from the inside. This is always done respectfully and with care. My role is not to tell you what to do, but to help you see more clearly, think more flexibly, and respond to life from a more grounded position. For clients navigating high performance environments or international transitions, we often explore themes such as identity, belonging, responsibility, and internalised pressure. Living or working across cultures can intensify self-doubt and isolation. Together, we examine how external expectations and internal standards interact, and how to build resilience without disconnecting from yourself. I place strong emphasis on emotional regulation and nervous system awareness. When anxiety, trauma, or chronic stress are present, insight alone is often insufficient. We work with practical strategies that support regulation, helping your system shift from survival-driven reactions toward steadier functioning. Over time, this allows deeper exploration without becoming overwhelmed. Therapy with me is both reflective and forward-moving. We will explore your history where relevant, but we remain attentive to how past experiences shape present patterns. The aim is not to stay in the past, but to understand it well enough that it no longer unconsciously drives current decisions. I also value transparency in the therapeutic relationship. If something in the process feels unclear, uncomfortable, or unhelpful, we talk about it. A strong working alliance is central to effective therapy, and I view the relationship itself as part of the healing process. Ultimately, my approach is about developing psychological flexibility, emotional resilience, and self-trust. Whether you are navigating a crisis, a transition, or a long-standing pattern, our work is oriented toward helping you move forward with greater clarity, steadiness, and confidence.

I am a senior counsellor and therapist with over ten years of clinical experience, currently providing individual therapy in my private practice via online sessions. I work with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, grief, and life transitions. My approach is trauma-informed, integrative, and person-centred, combining comprehensive assessment, collaborative treatment planning, and reflective, evidence-based practice. Previously, I worked at Odyssey House SWS Community Services (2016 – 2023), delivering individual and group counselling for clients facing substance use and complex psychosocial challenges. During this time, I supported over 10,000 clients, conducted assessments, developed treatment plans, and collaborated within multidisciplinary teams and with community organisations. I also played a key role in adapting services to online delivery during COVID-19, ensuring continuity of care. Earlier, I completed a student placement at Odyssey House (2015 – 2016), gaining foundational skills in addiction counselling and short-term, solution-focused therapy. My earlier professional experience in the arts, IT, and healthcare has strengthened my organisational skills, creativity, and cross-disciplinary perspective, enhancing my ability to work with diverse client populations and create engaging, structured, and compassionate therapeutic environments.

I hold an Accredited Clinical Supervision Course from George Street Psychology (Dr Susan Sisko & Maxine Rosenfield, 2023) and a Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Distinction) from the Australian College of Applied Psychology (ACAP, 2016). I also have a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from the Ballet Academy, University of the Arts, Stockholm (1990). In addition to formal qualifications, I have completed professional training in trauma-informed care, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Brainspotting, CBT, solution-focused therapy, Gestalt and experiential approaches, and creative and narrative modalities. This combination allows me to offer therapy that is integrative, flexible, and highly responsive to each client’s needs. My academic and professional foundation supports work with a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, addiction, grief, and complex life transitions. I focus on creating a safe, structured, and empathic space for clients to explore patterns, regulate emotions, and develop resilience. The integration of evidence-based techniques with experiential and creative approaches allows clients to access insight, skill-building, and personal growth in a way that feels both grounded and meaningful.