Academic Interests
I am interested in the combined fields of developmental psychology, neuropsychology, health psychology, social psychology, medicine and mental health promotion. I am especially interested in preventive measures for children and adolescents. I am a specialist in clinical psychology, children and adolescents, and have, in my clinical work, been interested in people transitioning from childhood to adolescence.
I am the project manager for projects that evaluate the effects and implementation of the interdisciplinary topic "Public health and life skills" in Norwegian schools. In particular, we look at the effects on mental health, academic performance, school environment and drop-out. Among other things, we investigate how the topic is implemented and what positively affects whom. I have also contributed to various health promotion and preventive projects such as Tuning in to Kids, VIP and PoFu.
I was employed as a Post-doc on the project “Follow up in youth, development and brain” from 2012 till 2016. The project investigates if prenatal risk factors, such as drug use during pregnancy, may be related to neurocognitive differences or differences in mental health in youth.
My doctoral thesis was about posttraumatic stress reactions in Norwegian children and families who survived the South East tsunami in 2004. I have also worked with other areas concerning violence and trauma, such as homicides in Norway and the terror attack at Utøya 22. July 2011.
I am part of research networks concerning people with Down syndrome, both in Norway and internationally, and have a special interest in biological risk factors for cognitive development in children with Down syndrome.
Higher education and employment history
Practice:
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2017- Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo
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2016 - 2017 Associate Professor in Preventive Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo
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2012 - 2016 Post doc, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo
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2007 - 2012 Researcher, National Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies
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2009 - 2010 Commission secretary, Olsenutvalget (Homicides in Norway), Ministry of Health and Care Services
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2003 - 2007 Specialist in clinical psychology, Sogn Døgnenhet (24/7 care for 10-14 years old children), Ullevål University Hospital
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1999 - 2003 Educational psychologist counselor, PPT, Bærum
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1997 -> Consultant for a variety of research projects and a clinical practice, in own firm
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1995 - 1997 Student scholarship, Medinova, Rikshospitalet
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1985 - 1999 Different jobs as an auditor and lecturer at college within economic subjects etc
Education:
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2012 Dr. philos
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2005 Specialist in clinical psychology, children and adolescents
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1998 Professional clinical program in psychology, University of Oslo
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1989 State authorized auditor, Norwegian School of Economics, Bergen