This text has been translated from Norwegian with the assistance of GPT UiO.
– What is it like to be a visiting professor at Harvard?
– Being a visiting professor at Harvard is an incredible experience. Working alongside leading figures in the field of psychology is truly rewarding. We have been warmly welcomed by all the staff, Americans, and the local community in general. It’s particularly special to be in Boston as a family, with my wife, who is also a visiting professor at Harvard, and our three children, aged 9, 7, and 1 year. We are thoroughly enjoying ourselves and feel fortunate to experience this together.
– Which research project are you working on the most right now?
– Currently, I am working on a theoretical article that addresses the foundational aspects of effective psychotherapy models. I am also leading several research projects at the University of Oslo and Modum Bad, including COPE Lab, where we focus on psychotherapy studies and mental health within the population (epidemiology). Additionally, I head the steering group of the Depression Research Initiative (DRIVE), a network dedicated to depression research. We aim to establish an SFF centre.
– What do you want to find out?
– I aim to enhance psychological treatment for adults, with a particular focus on the large groups struggling with anxiety, PTSD, and depression. Furthermore, I seek to understand what drives change in these conditions (mechanisms) and identify who benefits from various types of treatment.
– Why is this important?
– Mental health is a significant factor in people leaving the workforce, posing a major public health issue. We must address this on multiple fronts. My contribution is to improve the treatment provided and increase understanding of effective processes.
– Who do you collaborate with?
– I collaborate with researchers worldwide, including in Australia, the USA, and, of course, Europe. Various time zones are definitely a factor.
– What do you look for when choosing partners?
– I seek out those with passion and enthusiasm, as well as people I enjoy working with. Life is too short to collaborate with the wrong people..
– What other research projects are you involved in?
– I serve as a primary and secondary supervisor for numerous candidates across various projects. These cover topics such as personalisation of psychological treatment, development of scalable interventions for waiting lists in mental health care, the effects of metacognitive therapy in groups compared to individual therapy, and the impact of attention training on young adults. The common theme is the treatment of anxiety, depression, change mechanisms, and treatment research.
– What do you find most interesting about being a researcher?
– The most fascinating aspect of being a researcher is the opportunity to discover something new and contribute to creating knowledge that makes a difference in practice. No two days are exactly alike, offering great freedom but also considerable responsibility. I also appreciate continuing to treat patients and offer clinical guidance. This ensures I remain connected to the practical field while generating thoughts and ideas for new research.