Experience and background
My name is Louise Haibrock. I am married and the mother of three children who are nearly all teenagers. I live in North Zealand and have my practice in the heart of Hillerød.
I am a qualified psychotherapist, MPF, trained at the Kempler Institute and a member of the Danish Association of Psychotherapists. The institute's four-year programme is rooted in experiential therapy and existential psychotherapy, with advanced training in family therapy.
Personal therapy and supervision form part of the training. I am also a qualified social educator with more than 15 years of experience working with children, adults and family relationships.
My view of human nature
I believe that every person is unique and has a fundamental drive to grow. I strive to understand and meet people with respect.
I meet people where they are and with the experiences they have of themselves and their lives. We are all shaped by our history, but it does not have to define us.
We can learn to take responsibility for our actions and choices. We can create the life we want for ourselves, our partnerships and our families.
My role as a therapist
My role as a therapist is to help you clarify the nature of your challenge. Together, we explore how you can manage it and why you may keep encountering it.
Through conversation, silence, short exercises and tasks, I help you become aware of your patterns, and together we explore where they come from.
You learn that the past does not have to define who you are and how you can create greater freedom and independence in your life – what we might also call mental wellbeing.
How do you choose the right therapist?
It can be difficult to know what kind of therapy to choose when there are so many options. How do you know which therapist is right for you?
You will be sharing very personal things with another person, so it is important to choose your therapist with care. Training, therapeutic approach, view of human nature and your own intuition are all worth considering.
First, consider what you need. You can then explore the options available near you or online.
With a qualified psychotherapist, therapy takes place through conversation. You can receive help and support through crises, improve your quality of life and work on personal development.
You can also read the Danish Ministry of Social Affairs' guide to finding the right psychotherapist. The guide is available here in Danish.
Psychotherapy training
Psychotherapist is not a protected title in Denmark. It is therefore important to make sure your prospective therapist has thorough psychotherapy training.
The length of training, requirements for personal therapy and membership of a psychotherapy association are good starting points. This Danish overview provides information about quality-assured training institutions.
Good training alone does not make a good therapist, so ask about other relevant education and experience as well.
Other relevant training
Many psychotherapy programmes require applicants to meet a minimum age and already have another relevant qualification.
This helps ensure the necessary experience and theoretical understanding of psychology. Training in a related field, such as social education or nursing, provides a solid foundation.
Such training provides a thorough introduction to fundamental human and psychological theories and issues.
Danish Association of Psychotherapists
It can also be helpful to check whether the therapist is a member of the Danish Association of Psychotherapists.
Registered membership provides assurance that the therapist's training meets the standards required to practise. Members must also comply with a professional code of ethics.
Their website lists the psychotherapists who are members of the association. As a client, you can also submit a complaint if your therapist is a member of the Danish Association of Psychotherapists (MPF).
Trusting your intuition
A useful rule of thumb is to trust your intuition and notice whether the therapist feels like a good match.
A good psychotherapist will challenge you and bring difficult issues forward, always respectfully. The therapist's role is both to stay with you in what is difficult and to help you move forward.
Psychotherapy is about development and requires effort from you, which will not always be easy or comfortable. Stay curious and ask your psychotherapist questions. If you are considering another therapist, bring that into the conversation.
A clear and safe framework
The framework for therapy should be clear. Make sure that matters such as price and the interval between sessions have been agreed.
It is also important to clarify what you want from therapy and what your expectations are. A good therapist will regularly revisit your agreement about the focus of your work together.
This allows it to be adjusted along the way when needed. The therapist should also be able to refer you elsewhere if necessary.
Read more about individual therapy, couples therapy or family therapy and see what best suits your current situation.