Hi there! – My name is Philip Andersson. I am a licensed mental health care counsellor (LMHC) and psychotherapist, specialized in psychodynamic psychotherapy.
I have a degree in Social Work from Linköping University and I have studied psychodynamic psychotherapy at Sverigehälsan in Malmö. I have been active as a psychotherapist since 2018 and I have treated people in over 60 different countries.
Alongside my job as an online therapist, I also work at a children’s psychiatric clinic nearby, where I have gained extensive experience in treating children with depression, anxiety, autism, adhd and trauma. I am also LGBTQ certified via Region Kronoberg.
There are many expats and children of expats (Third Culture Kids) who claim to have developed identity issues and feel rootless as a result of the “global-nomad” experience.
Depression is caused by inner-conflict, and when it comes to expats inner-conflict can take shape in different ways.
The expat lifestyle can feel exciting and make a person feel unique but on the other hand it can also limit a person’s opportunities (especially if it is the spouse’s career that has caused the person to move abroad). Many expats describe being caught between an urge to cling onto the exciting expat lifestyle and an urge to seek fulfillment, claiming that fulfillment is hard to achieve in their host country.
The expat lifestyle can also become part of one’s identity and the thought of losing this identity (by moving back home) can be scary. On the other hand, we might also feel like we are losing touch with who we were before moving abroad. We might question our connection to our original culture or want to strengthen our relationship with family and friends over there. This is yet another example of inner-conflict.
There are many ways in which the expat lifestyle can leave you vulnerable to mental health issues. I feel confident that I can help you with this.
My motto is “to meet my patients where they are”.
In other words, I am very flexible in my approach and I try to tailor my therapy sessions to my clients needs as much as possible in order to build a strong therapeutic relationship.
Although my academic background is in psychodynamic psychotherapy (where the therapist uses different theories in order to help the patient discover how events from the past shape their behaviors and thought-patterns in the present) I am also comfortable with taking a more structured approached, directly targeting symptoms of depression and anxiety through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Life Coaching techniques.
This unique, integrative blend of therapeutic techniques addresses both the present day symptoms of mental illness as well as the root causes of it.
I’m originally from Sweden but I’ve spent the majority of my formative years in Hong Kong and England. As an adult, I lived in Japan for six years before finally settling down in my hometown of Borensberg.
In other words, I have experienced the expat lifestyle both as a child (TCK) and as an adult. I know both the allure of the international lifestyle and its challenges. I feel like I have gained enough life experience and theoretical knowledge to help you traverse these challenges.
In my free time, I enjoy reading and writing as well as sports and being in nature.
I am an English-speaking counsellor in Borensberg, Sweden, offering online-only sessions to individuals (18+), couples and families. I also offer 15-minute consultation at the cost of €25.
