The conference on trauma, dissociation, and psychosis
Meet this year's speakers
Ruth Lanius, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Psychiatry and Harris-Woodman Chair at Western University of Canada, where she leads the Clinical Research Program for PTSD. With over 25 years of clinical and research experience in trauma-related disorders, she established the Traumatic Stress Service at London Health Sciences Center—a specialized treatment program for psychological trauma. She has received numerous awards for research and teaching, including the Banting Award for Military Health Research. Ruth has published over 200 scientific articles and book chapters on brain adaptations to trauma and innovative approaches to PTSD treatment. She regularly lectures nationally and internationally and has co-authored five books, including Healing the Traumatized Self and Sensory Pathways to Healing from Trauma. She is a dedicated clinical researcher focused on the subjective experience of trauma and its relationship to brain function.
Anabel Gonzalez, M.D., Ph.D.
Psychiatrist and psychotherapist, EMDR Consultant and accredited EMDR Trainer. She has extensive training in group therapy, systemic therapy, cognitive analytic therapy, and trauma treatment. Anabel has worked in the public health system for over 30 years and currently leads a trauma and dissociation program at the Imaya Medical Institute. She is President of EMDR Spain and a guest lecturer at several universities, including UNED and UDC. She leads research projects related to EMDR and trauma treatment and has published numerous articles and books for both professionals and the general public.
Katherine Berry
Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Manchester. She has over 25 years of research experience in psychosis, with a particular focus on attachment, relational trauma, and therapeutic alliances. She has developed and evaluated psychological interventions for people with psychosis and is co-lead of the Complex Trauma and Resilience Research Unit in the UK.
Henrik Myhre Ihler, M.D., Ph.D.
Psychiatrist at Oslo University Hospital with a Ph.D. on cannabis use and psychotic symptoms. He has a strong interest in digitalization and innovation in healthcare and is actively involved in knowledge dissemination and professional development.
Arvid Nikolai Kildahl, Ph.D.
Clinical psychologist and researcher at NKUP and NevSom. He holds a Ph.D. on trauma disorders in adults with autism and intellectual disabilities and has published widely on mental health in this population. Arvid has clinical experience in assessment and treatment, and his presentation will address the risk of violence and abuse, as well as treatment of trauma and psychosis in people with intellectual disabilities.
Ellen Jepsen, M.D., Ph.D.
Senior Consultant at the Department for Trauma Disorders, Modum Bad. She holds a Ph.D. on the treatment of adults with early sexual abuse and dissociation. Ellen has published several peer-reviewed articles and received international awards for her work. She translated the SCID-D-5 into Norwegian and currently leads the implementation of Finding Solid Ground at Modum Bad. She has served on the board of the European Society for Trauma and Dissociation (ESTD) and chaired its scientific committee.
Irene Michalopoulos
Clinical psychologist specializing in trauma understanding and treatment. She has over 20 years of clinical experience with complex trauma disorders.
Lise Berglund
Clinical specialist in trauma reactions, psychiatric nurse with a master’s degree in mental health. She has worked with trauma since 2009 and has over 20 years of experience in mental health care.
Else-Marie Løberg
Professor of Psychology and project leader of the KIT study—a national research project on integrated trauma treatment in psychosis. She has extensive experience in research on psychosis, trauma, and neurobiological markers and has contributed to the development of national guidelines for psychosis treatment.
Nina Mørkved
Clinical psychologist and research leader at Helgeland Hospital. She is co-lead of the KIT project and has researched the link between childhood trauma and psychosis, as well as the effects of trauma treatments such as EMDR and narrative exposure therapy.
Gry Stålsett, Ph.D.
Associate Professor at MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society, and clinical director of Bispehagen Existential Counseling Center. She holds a Ph.D. in psychotherapy research with a focus on existential approaches to depression and has over 30 years of clinical experience from Modum Bad. Gry has written and lectured extensively on shame, guilt, and existential themes in trauma therapy and currently leads a specialist training program in existential-dynamic therapy, also known as the VITA model.
Kristine Fiksdal Abel, Ph.D.
Specialist in addiction psychology with a Ph.D. on EMDR treatment for trauma and substance use disorders. She works with clinical development and treatment at Oslo University Hospital and is affiliated with the INTACT research project. Clinical psychologist at the Clinic for Crisis Psychology. She has extensive experience in treating dissociative disorders and relational trauma, with a particular interest in how safe relationships can foster change and healing. She teaches and supervises professionals in crisis psychology and trauma treatment.
Lise Baklund
Philosopher, researcher, and family therapist with a background in mental health care. She works with existential perspectives on trauma and dissociation and is particularly interested in how experiences of self and reality are shaped by relational experiences. She combines academic depth with personal storytelling.
Lukas Eek Hansen
Peer consultant at Vestre Viken with a background in mental health. He shares insights from his own experiences with dissociative states and treatment, contributing to a deeper understanding of how life history and relationships affect mental health. He is an engaged and articulate voice in professional development.
Magnus J. Engen
Clinical psychologist and researcher at Nydalen DPS. He holds a Ph.D. on emotional disorders and has worked on implementing the Unified Protocol in group therapy for individuals with bipolar disorder. He is committed to transdiagnostic approaches and tailoring treatment to individual needs.
Peter McGovern, M.D.
Senior Consultant at Modum Bad’s Trauma Outpatient Clinic in Oslo, trained in psychiatry in both England and Norway. He has advanced training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy and extensive experience in treating complex PTSD and relational difficulties. Since 2015, he has served as a consultant for the World Health Organization (WHO), focusing on recovery-oriented and rights-based approaches in mental health.
Program Committee
Arne Blindheim
is a specialist in clinical psychology and has a private practice with a service agreement in Bergen. For many years, he has contributed to strengthening competence in working with traumatized individuals through guidance, teaching, and courses. Arne has been a board member of the European Society for Trauma and Dissociation (ESTD) and has been appointed as a mentor in the organization due to his professional weight and efforts in the field. He is one of the initiators of the conference and has been part of the program committee since its inception.
Tor Gunnar Værnes
is a specialist psychologist and Dr. philos., affiliated with TIPS Sør-Øst, the Regional Competence Service for Early Intervention in Psychosis, Oslo University Hospital. He has been part of the program committee for the conference since the planning of the first edition in 2015.
Ingunn Holbæk
is a specialist psychologist and PhD candidate at the Trauma Clinic, Modum Bad, and the University of Oslo. She has been a member of the program committee since 2019.
Cecilie Brøvig
is a specialist psychologist and team leader at the psychosis unit at DPS Solvang. She is the leader of ISPS Norway and was one of the initiators of the conference. Cecilie has been part of the program committee since its start in 2015.
Heidi Ranvik Jensen
is a psychiatrist working at the Specialized Team for Psychosomatics and Trauma at Midtre Agder DPS. She has extensive clinical experience in the trauma and dissociation field and has also taught and supervised on the topic for several years. Heidi became part of the program committee in 2025.
Kjersti Karlsen
is a specialist psychologist at the National Competence Service for Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health, Oslo University Hospital. She has previously contributed to building TIPS Sør-Øst and was one of the initiators of the Trauma Conference. Kjersti has been a central part of the program committee since its inception in 2015.