A Little About Me

I am Danish, however I have been living in Norway since 1991. I am fortunate to have trained and worked as an intensive care nurse and nurse supervisor, an art therapist, educational supervisor, yoga instructor and facilitator in Family Constellations. Since June 2004 I have been running my own practice in Family Constellations, art therapy, counselling and yoga and I work with individuals, couples and groups.

Life itself has been my greatest teacher through the experiences I have had and been witness to. I have been privileged to have travelled throughout the world and seen and learned a lot about other countries and cultures and in turn learned from these experiences.

For me, Life is right here, right now, today, this moment, this second, in this breath. The past is gone, the future is to come and the moment is here. Feel it! Enjoy it!

Follow where life takes you

Sometimes you think the way you go is the right way. It may be a little cramped, you fight without really moving on, but it is known.
When you stop fighting and you open up your senses, your heart and surrender, when you look beyond the narrow road and trust that everything will fall into place. Then you suddenly stand in front of a new road you didn’t even know existed. An open and wide road, full of light with new opportunities.

Background

Through my work as a nurse, especially as an intensive care nurse in the intensive care unit, I gained experience with people in deep grief and crisis. Patients and their families, adults and children. I found that the “saving” is not only the survival of the physical body by using medicine and a respirator. Attending to the patient with touch, voice and eyes had a great influence on the patient and helped give them the courage and strength to fight for survival. Many powerful experiences and encounters with people have had an influence on both my humanity and my areas of interest. The main topics I covered as a nursing lecturer were: “Children in grief and crisis”, “Children as relatives at the hospital”, “The traumatised Patient”, “The patient and their relatives in crisis”, “Life and Death”, “The importance of eye contact, kindness in our voice and in our hands in the meeting with a person”.

Teacher, lecturer, supervisor

Through my work with nursing students at the university in Tromsø, I learned to see the potential in each person and how to support them to become reflective, observant and caring nurses.

As a guest lecturer at many large and well-attended conferences at the Trauma center in Aalborg, Denmark, I learned to present in big groups. I had the opportunity to share the experience and knowledge I gained from many years’ work at the intensive care unit.

Theatre

I was active in the theatre and reviews in Tromsø, Norway. Apart from having a lot of fun when I participated in theatrical performances between 1992 and 2002, I gained in confidence in presenting in front of a bigger audience and benefited from insights and ideas that I have used in my art therapy work.

Art Therapy and Family Constellations

Art therapy has contributed to a major change in my life, both in relation to my personal life and professional life. I met Johan Jensen, at the Sattva Art Therapeutic Institute in 1996 when I was in a deep personal crisis. After my first meeting I could see a glimmer of light in the darkness. My art therapy journey had started. I followed the work of Johan Jensen in Jungian Art Therapy with a 2-year course in Jungian Art Therapy and meditation groups until his death in 2006.
Two years before he died, In June 2004, I started my own company, and opened a studio in Tromsø with art therapy and Family Constellations.

As an Art Therapist, responsible for group therapy in the Psychiatric Hospital in Kongsberg, I gained knowledge and experience in psychiatric studies, diagnosis, journal writing and collaboration with primary healthcare. Experience with group dynamics, group processes, body awareness and art therapy with psychiatric patients and experience in team working. Overall, a valuable experience both professionally and personally that has strengthened my foundation as an art therapist.

I was introduced to Bert Hellinger’s work with Family Constellations in 2003 by Tore Kval. I am fortunate to have experienced and organised several courses and two teacher training programmes with Tore between 2003 and 2007.After that, a new path opened for me and it has been my path ever since. I experienced a deep healing in my own life, with my partner, children and within the rest of my family. Through this work being a representative in the Constellations, I have gained important insights into the lives of others. Insights that I have not found possible to experience through other kinds of approaches.

I met Bert Hellinger in person for the first time in 2007 and I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to follow him until his death in September 2019.

Bert Hellinger was my greatest teacher and source of inspiration. He gave so much to so many people and my wish and work have been focused on passing on his teachings through the gifts and insights I’ve received and developed throughout recent years.

I have found that Art Therapy and Family Constellations complete each other and that this combination is very deep, efficient and rich in healing. In 2009 I developed a training programme: “Family Constellations and Art Therapy”.

I am so grateful to my teachers Johan Jensen and Bert Hellinger. They will always remain in my heart while I humbly pass on what I have learned from them.

Yoga

I started practising yoga in 1999 with “the 5 Tibetans” for a year and have since practised different types of yoga and yoga for pregnant women, during my 2 pregnancies. I started in 2004 as a yoga instructor at a training studio SATS in Tromsø where I attended their qualification programme and teacher training. Following this, since then, Ashtanga Yoga has fascinated and inspired me and I have been fortunate to meet many talented international Ashtanga yoga teachers. I have taken a 100-hour teacher training course in Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga with Basia Lipska and since 2011 I have been a student of Lino Miele and follow his intensive training and retreats in Italy and India.

I have learned meditation from Johan Jensen and through the art therapy study, mainly inspired by Jes Bertelsen. Through yoga and meditation, I have experienced an increased presence and awareness in the body and in the breath. Through this combination of practices, I have gained tranquility, agility and strength.

Curriculum Vitae

Professional Experience

2007- today’s date: Own practice in Kongsberg, Norway, with Family Constellations, Art Therapy and Yoga, both individually and in groups with children, adults and businesses. Organises own courses, training programmes and retreats in Norway and abroad and online with participants from all countries. All of these are offered in English and/or Norwegian.

August 2021- July 2023: Yoga, Art Therapy and Family Constellations, 3-hour workshops every week at “Mestringshusene” Rehabilitation centre for drug addicts in Bolkesjø, Norway.

2018- July 2023: Yoga teacher once a week at “Mestringshusene” Rehabilitation center for drug addicts in Bolkesjø, Norway.

2016 – 2022: Owner and Manager of “Pias Place” studio in Naufgården, Kirketorget 7, Kongsberg, Norway.

2007 – 2014: Owner and CEO of “HUSET” in Bussedalen 2, Kongsberg, Norway.

March 2007 – November 2008: Art therapist at psychiatric clinic at Kongsberg Hospital (KDPS), Norway. Group therapy. 60% position.

2004 – 2007: Own practice and studio in Tromsø, Norway with Family Constellations, Art Therapy and Yoga. Various counselling, supervision and teaching roles at Tromsø Hospital and at the University in Tromsø, Norway.

2000 – 2003: Intensive care nurse at Recovery Department, UNN University Hospital in Northern Norway. (100% position)

2000: Professional nurse supervisor 10% position, UNN, University Hospital in Northern Norway.

2000: Teacher at the university, nursing education, Tromsø University, Norway.

1999: Intensive care nurse at the intensive care unit, UNN, the University Hospital in Northern Norway.

1998 – 1999: Professional teacher in special education in intensive care nursing, Tromsø University, Norway.

1991 – 1998: Intensive care nurse at the intensive care unit, UNN, the University Hospital in Northern Norway.

1990 – 1991: Nurse at the medical department at Rjukan hospital.

 

Other professional experience

2022 : Guest lecturer at the University Grenoble Alps “Unlocking Fairytales” in France. A 3-week study course with Professor Alexandra Fidyk, Alberta University, department of Secondary Education.

2022 : Presenter of a workshop ”Befriending your Shadow” at the conference “International Fairytales and Storytelling as Therapy” at Moonluza in Sintra, Portugal.

2003 – 2009 : Arranged several courses and 2 trainings/educations within family constellations according to Bert Hellinger with Tore Kval in Tromsø, Norway.

2004 – 2010: Supervisor for students during the art therapy course at the Sattva Art Therapeutic Institute in Tromsø and at the art and expression therapy course in Oslo, NIKUT: Norsk Institutt for Kunsuttrykk og Kommunikasjon

2005 – 2007: Yoga instructor at SATS, Langnes in Tromsø, Norway.

2003 – 2006: Various counselling and teaching assignments, examiner, sensor assignments and groups with art therapeutic methods in basic and further education in nursing, Tromsø University College.

1994 – 2001: Lectures on the topics: “The traumatised patient”; “Grief and crises in children”; “Relatives and children as relatives” on eight trauma courses for health professionals at trauma centers in Aalborg, Denmark. (120-150 participants per course).

1999: Project work: “Counselling for contact nurses in the intensive care unit”, UNN, the University Hospital in Northern Norway.

 

Organisation work

2012 – 2016: Ethical Council in the Art Therapy Association Norway

2002 – 2006: Board member and shared chairperson of the art therapy association, Tromsø District

2003 – 2004: Board member of the main organisation Art Therapy association, Oslo. KTFN, Kunstterapi foreningen i Norge.

 

Education and Qualifications

2011: Bert and Sophie Hellinger, Hellinger Sciencia Diploma after completed training camps (2009-2011) in the new Family Constellations approach: Moving with the Spirit-Mind, Germany.

2010: Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga instructor course with basia J. Lipska, Oslo, Norway.

2006: Diploma 2-year course in Systemic Family Constellations according to Bert Hellinger at Tore Kval Institute for Family Constellations, Norway.

2001: Art Therapy Qualification, taught by Johan Jensen and Norunn Falck, Sattva Art Therapeutic Institute, Tromsø, Norway.

1999: Specialised course for nurses with pedagogical supervisor education, 1-year course, Tromsø University, Norway.

1999: Pedagogical supervisor/coach, Tromsø University, Norway.

1995: Specialised course in intensive care nursing, Tromsø University, Norway.

1989: Nursing course at Vendsyssel Nursing School, Denmark.

1984: Mathematical high school diploma at Hobro Gymnasium, Denmark.

 

Courses / Conferences

Family Constellations

2019 – September: Gerhard Walper, “Family & organisational constellations workshop”, London, UK.

2018 – October: Sophie Hellinger and teachers from the Hellinger school: Training for Family Constellator according to Hellinger Sciencia. Bad Reichenhal, Germany.

2016 – October: Bert and Sophie Hellinger: Training for Family Constellator according to Hellinger Sciencia. Bad Reichenhal, Germany.

2015 – December: Bert and Sophie Hellinger: Family Constellator Training “Family Constellation in the Service of Peace”. Kazan, Russia.

2015 – December: Sophie Hellinger: Cosmic Power, Kazan, Russia.

2015 – April: Bert and Sophie Hellinger: Training for Family Constellator according to Hellinger Sciencia, Bad Reichenhal, Germany.

2014 – November: Bert and Sophie Hellinger: Training for Family Constellator according to Hellinger Sciencia. Bad Reichenhal, Germany.

2013 – November: Bert and Sophie Hellinger: International intensive training camp, Bad Reichenhal, Germany.

2013 – May: Bert Hellinger: Seminar “Father”, “Mother and child”, Bad Reichenhal, Germany.

2013 – May: Bert and Sophie Hellinger: International intensive training camp. Bad Reichenhal, Germany.

2012 – November: Bert and Sophie Hellinger: International intensive training camp. Bad Reichenhal, Germany.

2012 – May: Bert and Sophie Hellinger: International intensive training camp. Bad Reichenhal, Germany.

2011: Bert and Sophie Hellinger: International intensive training camp “Movement with the spirit mind”. Bad Reichenhal, Germany

2011: Sophie Hellinger Energy Seminar, Bad Reichenhal, Germany.

2010: Bert and Sophie Hellinger: International intensive training camp “laws of success in life and in professions”. Bad Reichenhal, Germany

2010: International Hellinger congress, Bad Reichenhal, Germany.

2010: Franz Ruppert: Trauma, Affiliation and Family Constellations. Oslo, Norway

2009: Bert and Sophie Hellinger: International intensive training camp; Pichl, Austria.

2009: Jakob Robert Schneider, Advanced international training and supervision, Munich, Germany.

2009: Jan Jacob Stam, Organisation and Corporate Exhibitions, Oslo, Norway

2008: 4th International Congress, fields of conflict – fields of wisdom, Würzburg, Germany.

2007: Bert Hellinger Learning seminar, Oslo Norway.

 

Yoga

2017 & 2019: Yoga retreat with Lino Miele 2 weeks, Kovalam, India.

2016: Yoga retreat with Lino Miele 4 weeks, Kovalam, India.

2016-2018: Yoga retreat with Lino Miele 2 weeks, Italy.

2015: Yoga retreat with Lino Miele 3 weeks, Italy.

2014: Yoga retreat with Lino Miele 5 weeks, Kovalam, India.

2012 & 2013: Yoga retreat with Lino Miele 2 weeks, Italy.

2011: Yoga retreat with Lino Miele 4 weeks, Kovalam, India.

2011: Yoga retreat with Lino Miele 1 week, Italy.

2008: Basia Lipska, 2-day workshop Ashtanga yoga, Oslo.

2008: Tim Feldman 3-day workshop Ashtanga yoga, Oslo.

2007 – 2008 Schirin Zorriassateiny 3, 2-day workshops, Ashtanga yoga, Oslo and Kongsberg.

2005 – 2006: Course / approval programme and workshops for yoga instructors at SATS, Tromsø and Oslo.

 

Art Therapy

2019 & 2022: “International Fairytales and storytelling as therapy” at Moonluza in Sintra, Portugal.

2018: “Shame and creativity” with Vibeke Skov PhD. Oslo

2007: “The Art of Life Telling”; Understanding Patients’ Personal Narratives Using Myths, Memories, and Metaphors with H. Lea Barbato Gaydos PhD. , from the University of Colorado.

2006: Workshop “From a cocoon to a butterfly” with Åse Minde, Tromsø.

1998: “The Inner Leader”; A 1-year Process-oriented course, 4 sessions of 3 days, 96 hours at Johan Erik Jensen Sattva Art Therapeutic Institute, Tromsø.

 

Group

2008: Clinical conference in Farsund for Daycare Network. -Neurobiology and personality -Personal disorders.

2007: “Group psychotherapy in institutions” at IGA, Institute for Group Analysis, Oslo

Upcoming Events & Courses