Our team

I am born and raised in Germany. In 2004, my wife and I moved to Norway and it is no coincidence that we settled down by the sea. One of my greatest hobbies are sea kayaking. In 2019, I completed the advanced course where I learnt to master technique and group dynamics during demanding conditions. I have practiced as a psychologist since 2003 and have specialised in child and adolescent psychology.

I have specialised in cognitive therapy and particularly find anxiety and compulsive behaviour interesting. Previously I worked at the Outpatient Clinic at ABUP Arendal, but since 2020, I have been part of the Acute and Ambulatory services. Since 2014, I have been involved with Friluftsterapi in ABUP and I am thrilled that we are now running outdoor programmes all year. My focus areas within outdoor therapy is Friluftsterapi Expedition, paddling therapy and climbing therapy.

• Specialist psychologist in child and adolescent psychology
•  Specialisation in cognitive therapy and autogenic training
•  Continuing education in autogenic training
•  Sea Kayak Advanced Guide
•  Climbing Belay Certificate (Brattkort)

I have worked as a clinical pedagogue in ABUP Lister since 2022. I have always had an interest for nature’s influence on our physical and mental well-being. It is important to me personally to spend time in nature in order to regulate stress. In my clinical work, I find it relaxing and positive to have sessions in other settings besides my office. I especially prefer to converse with youth around a campfire.

I also enjoy all of nature’s resources, especially harvesting all things eatable from nature. I am a professional chef and have worked both off shore and on Svalbard. Every summer I still cook on a coal stove in an old ship. Previously I have worked in teacher education, before entering into mental health work.

• Pedagogue with specialisation in nutrition, health and special needs education
• Specialisation in eating disorders, body awareness, anxiety disorders, mental health work and network approaches

I am the main coordinator for clinical practice in the Frilufts team. I have worked in ABUP since 1998, first in our hospital ward, next in the Acute and Ambulatory Unit. In 2014, I joined the Frilufts team and have been the coordinator since 2017.

I grew up with hikes in the forest, boat trips and skiing and have brought these activities into adulthood. Being in nature provides joy, calm and energy. My desire is for other people to experience this and I believe that nature connectedness is vital for our physical and mental health.

• Social worker
• MSc in Mental health work
• Uni courses in Psychology and special needs education
• Specialisation in Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT)
• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR).
• Training in MediYoga, Mindfullness and CAMS (Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality)
• Many years as a child scout

Jeg har arbeidet som psykolog hele karrieren min, og er spesialist i barne- og ungdomspsykologi. Jeg har erfaring fra barnevern, PP-tjeneste, som rettssakkyndig, i tillegg til variert terapeutisk arbeid. I det utendørsterapeutiske arbeidet har jeg vært særlig engasjert i utviklingen av friluftsterapi som gruppeintervensjon for ungdommer. Som friluftsentusiast har jeg alltid sett etter muligheter for å ta det kliniske arbeidet ut.

This feels natural as I spend most of my free time outdoors. Cycling, skiing, diving, fishing and hiking are activities that are important for my personal well-being. I am confident that by applying all the knowledge we have about the significance of the human connectedness to nature it is possible to offer a high quality, ethical and meaningful approach to nature-based work as a stand-alone treatment for children, youth and families who struggle with mental health challenges.

• Specialist psychologist in child and adolescent psychology
• Norwegian Trekking Association Tour Guide, winter and summer course.

I have experience from working with children, youth and families from specialist mental health and community-based services. Previously, I have mainly worked acute, however, presently I work at ABUP’s outpatient clinic in Kristiansand and with Friluftsterapi. I have a strong belief in nature’s ability to build bridges and provide an excellent arena for mastery.

I grew up with immediate access to nature, forest and lakes. My keen interest in hunting and fishing leads me to spend numerous days and nights outdoors every year. I appreciate demanding and long expeditions with heavy packs in the winters, equally to strolls along the shoreline in the summer time.

• Social worker
• Trained in Meeting Aggression Problems (MAP)
• Broad experience from leading groups and individuals outdoors and during activities
• Sea Kayak Basic Course
• Leader course at Agder Sports Council
• Many years of experience as hunter and outdoor enthusiast

I grew up in the coastal countryside of Southern Norway – a stone’s throw from the sea, but still surrounded by forest. I have always loved being outdoors. Even though I enjoy being active, I am not necessarily a thrill-seeker. I tend to seek nature’s restoration, calm and the seemingly instant reconnection with oneself, others and nature’s richness when spending time outdoors over shorter or longer periods of time. I have worked in ABUP since 2003 and became involved in Friluftsterapi at an early stage.

It has been an incredible learning and inspiring “journey” both professionally and personally to be involved in all the different stages of the clinical research- and development project. In my PhD study “Into Nature”, I explored youth’ perceived outcome from participating in the first version of Friluftsterapi (FT 1.0). Nowadays, I work as a senior researcher at the Research and Development Unit and I am the main coordinator of our research activity. In addition to leading the research group and running projects, I am also active in national and international networks. I hold a part-time position at the University of Agder, where I am responsible for the post-graduate course “Nature-based therapeutic work”.

• PhD in Health Sciences, University of Agder
• University Pedagogics, University of Agder
• MSc in Medical Anthropology, University College London
• Specialisation in Mental health work with children, youth and families, University of Agder
• Intercultural communication, NLA University College
• BSc Nursing, Bergen University College

I am born and raised in Denmark, but I am part Swedish. Growing up, the beach and the woods were my second home, often accompanied by a horse. Now I mainly find time for paddling, winter outdoor life, and hiking, but my absolute favourite activity is surfing in the ocean. I have lived in Norway since 2014 and is daily fascinated by the beauty of nature here.

My educational background is within sports and friluftsliv, and previously I have lectured and practiced nature-based rehabilitation. Working with nature-based health promotion has always felt meaningful because I notice nature’s positive influence on people’s physical, mental and social health.

• MSc in physical education, sports and outdoor life, University of South-Eastern Norway
• BSc in outdoor life, culture and nature guiding, University of South-Eastern Norway
• BSc in sport, Copenhagen University
• Specialisation in body, health and movement, University of South-Eastern Norway
• Trained in wilderness therapy (Experientia, Spain), Diploma in nature-based therapy (Australia), Nature presence and ecophilosophy (Norway), Wilderness first aid (NOLS, USA).
• Kurs: Diplomutdanning i nature-based therapy, Australia
• Kurs: Naturnærvær og økofilosofi, Norge
• Kurs: Wilderness first aid, NOLS, USA

Nevin J. Harper is a professor at University of Victoria in Canada and a nature-based clinical counsellor. He has been involved in outdoor therapies and adventure education practice, research, teaching and supervision for most of 30 years.

For a number of years (2017-22), he held a part-time position at ABUP and University of Agder, where he supervised our clinical work, held lectures and participated in research. After having collaborated for a number of years, we still consider Nevin a member of our team.