I was born in Iceland and spent some of my early childhood in the United States before growing up in Reykjavík. My path into psychology has been an unconventional one, shaped by travel, different cultures and a long-standing interest in how people find meaning and navigate change in their lives.
I initially studied law before realising very quickly that it wasn’t the path for me. I went on to volunteer as a teacher in India, where I was introduced to Vipassana meditation and yoga, before travelling through South America and later spending significant periods in Thailand. For around ten years I also worked seasonally as a national park ranger in Iceland. Along the way I learned Spanish, discovered a love of rock climbing and became increasingly interested in different approaches to wellbeing, healing and our relationship with ourselves and the world around us.
During COVID, I decided to turn that interest into a career. I returned to Iceland to study psychology before moving to Australia, where I completed my honours year in Canberra. I am now in the final stages of my postgraduate psychology training.
Clinically, I am particularly drawn to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and person-centred approaches. I like that ACT asks some very human questions: What matters to you? What kind of life do you want to live? And how can we help you move towards that life, even when difficult thoughts, feelings or experiences arise?
I was drawn to Wakai Waian Healing because of its emphasis on culture, relationships and seeing the whole person rather than approaching people purely through a clinical lens. I also wanted the opportunity to learn more deeply from First Nations people and different understandings of healing and wellbeing.
From my first conversation with Ed, I felt genuinely listened to and valued as a person. I realised that joining Wakai Waian Healing was more than an opportunity to begin my clinical career. It was a chance to learn, contribute and become part of an organisation whose approach to healing strongly resonates with the kind of psychologist I hope to become.