April Holten

Education

April Holten owns and practices in Samtalerommet in Hamar, Norway.

I am educated as a teacher, deacon and couples and family therapist with a masters degree in Family Therapy and Systemic Practice from VID Specialized University. In all three of these educations the relational aspect in learning and changing is key. This has always been what has interested me most. I have worked as a couples and family therapist since 2014.

I am certified in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), an empirically validated and internationally respected model of couples and family therapy developed by Dr. Sue Johnson. EFT builds on the latest research in attachment theory and neuroscience. You can read more about EFT and check my certification on the following Norwegian and international websites: seft.no and iceeft.com.

I am certified in Discernment Counseling from the Doherty Relationship Institute. Discernment Counseling is for couples where one or both partners have become unsure about whether they would like to continue the relationship. You can hear DRI´s founder, Bill Doherty, Ph.D. explain what Discernment Counseling is here. Read more about discernment counseling and check my certification here.

I am certified to teach PREP (a relationship enhancement program for couples in all stages of their relationship) and lead PREP weekends arranged by the Norwegian military for their personnel and partners. I am also certified to teach “Bufferkurs” and have led many relationship courses for couples wanting to improve their relationship.

I have continued education in Pastoral Clinical Education (CPE) with 800 hours of clinical practice and supervision working with patients and their families in a hospital setting.

Experiences

In addition to my education, I have many experiences that have formed me as a person and as a therapist.

I have been impacted by the relationships I have experienced in my work as a teacher, deacon and therapist. I have several cross-cultural experiences having grown up in Canada and the USA, having moved to Norway as an adult and having lived in 3 culturally diverse areas of Norway: Oslo, Finnmark and Innlandet. I am married to a man who has worked in the Norwegian military since 1996 and have experienced him serving in international operations. I am a mother for two young adults, one biological and one adopted. I have experienced grief to the extent that I went to therapy which helped me in the grieving process. I live in relation to my parents, siblings, extended family, spouse, children, friends and colleagues. In all of these relationships I experience joy, but also times of frustration, irritation and challenge. 

These experiences have inspired me to learn more about how we can strengthen, change and develop the relationships that influence our daily lives to such a large extent.

Of importance for me in the therapeutic relationship

I value mutual respect. If you are willing to share your life experiences with me, I want you to know and feel that your perspective is valid and valued. I am committed to meeting all my clients with respect regardless of gender, age, sexuality, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or cultural background.

I also believe that the relationship formed in therapy is of utmost importance in the therapeutic process. You can expect support but also challenge from me.

Finally, I think therapy is best when it has a beginning and an end. The length of the process needed to find new insight and explore issues may vary, but the goal is always to be able to adequately deal with life's many challenges in one's own context without the support of therapy. Those who come to therapy in Samtalerommet decide when the process is over. The therapist’s responsibility is to end the process in a thoughtful manner.

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Discernment Counselor
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Therapy sessions may be conducted in English or Norwegian. Contact me here for an appointment. No referrals are necessary.

LOgo Samtalerommet

Couples and family therapy
April Holten
976 00 215

Address
Vognvegen 123 B
2315 Hamar

Org. nr. 917 639 779 - © Samtalerommet 2022 - Images: Unsplash - Webdesign: www.webdesign-prepress.com

Address
Vognvegen 123 B
2315 Hamar

Couples and family therapy April Holten
976 00 215

Org. nr. 917 639 779 - © Samtalerommet 2022 - Images: Unsplash - Webdesign: www.webdesign-prepress.com