Psychological treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

What is cognitive behavioral therapy?
Cognitive behavioral therapy, CBT, can briefly be described as a psychological treatment method based on learning theories, emotion theories and cognitive psychology. The work with CBT is characterized by an active collaboration between patient and psychologist, where they in a structured way identify and explore thoughts, feelings and behaviors that contribute to maintaining problems in everyday life. Behavioral patterns are analyzed in terms of what function they serve and what consequences they have in the patient’s everyday life. Therefter a treatment plan for change is formulated, which is always based on the patient’s goals and life values.

At Dr. Klara Edlund you can get help with:
• Eating disorders and problems related to food, weight, exercise, body shape and compulsive training
• Sport- and performance-related problems (performing under pressure)
• Performance blocks
• Overtraining / fatigue linked to performance environment
• Trauma-related disorders related to performance environment (emotional, physical, and sexual abuse)
• Performance anxiety
• Sleeping problems

Performance-enhancement
CBT can be a favorable and appealing approach to address difficulties linked to performance such as sport achievements or achievements in the performing arts (e.g., dance and acting, music, precision-demanding achievements (e.g., surgeries and other medical procedures)) and various forms of public speaking, lectures, or other public assignments. The focus lies on identifying thoughts, feelings and behaviors that are not helpful in executing the task or achieving a goal. Using an individualized behavioral analysis, taking the individual’s strengths, weaknesses, and goals into account, goal-oriented and personalized strategies can be developed to help the individual enhance the performance in a sustainable and effective way.

Dr Klara Edlund’s areas of specialty regarding performance enhancement:
• Performance enhancement in sports.
• Performance enhancement in highly specialized areas such as medical procedures, musical performances, public speaking, or presentations.
• Performance enhancement in performing art such as acting, dancing, singing and play music.

Supervision and coaching
Supervision is a forum for continuous professional and personal development for various care givers such as psychologists, psychotherapists, counselors, nurses, dietitians, physiotherapists, and physicians, but also business professionals in leading- or head positions. Furthermore, supervision and coaching are offered to persons with occupations involving high levels of stress where their assignments may involve personal danger such as first responders.

Supervision provides opportunities for support in difficult and challenging situations. Feedback and discussions on various issues related to professional practice, help sort out and understand challenging work situations as well as organizational business management (OBM) and training. Supervision is integrated into all psychologist and psychotherapist programs as a natural part of the education. Coaching and guidance using organizational business management (OBM) for different types of leadership challenges are also appreciated target areas, since commonly stated to prevent work-related stress and ill health.

Dr. Klara Edlund supervises and coaches in the following areas:
• Professional supervision for physicians.
• Psychologists in private practise.
• Care givers in primary care.
• organizational business management (OBM) and leadership skills, specialist psychiatry, specialist eating disorders clinics.
• Student therapist in the psychologist and psychotherapist programs.
• Business leaders and managers in leading positions.

Education and lectures
Education and lectures form a central part of the business. Lectures, workshops, and other educational courses can be tailor-made upon request. Education in various levels, ranging from no prerequisite to advanced levels, have been delivered for more than 20 years in colleges and universities, sport communities, hospitals, and municipalities. Theoretical and practical knowledge and skills are often intertwined in the class work. If requested, examination and course leadership can be arranged.

Some of the areas of education and lectures offered by Dr. Klara Edlund:
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Problems related to food, eating, exercise, weight, and body shape.
• Problems related to ill health and performance in different performance environments.
• Clinical psychology and psychiatry
• Therapeutic skills training
• Group leadership (e.g., group treatment in primary care or psychiatric activities)
• Self-awareness and clinical skills for care givers such as psychologists, psychotherapists, and physicians.