Mikko Karhulahti

I view “symptoms” and “disorders” as meaningful and creative adjustments to a person’s environment and life context. Rather than pathologising these patterns, my work focuses on becoming aware of how they develop and take shape in the relational field, within the therapeutic encounter. This awareness can open space for choice, integration, and change. Areas of interest: - attachment, relationship and family dynamics - anxiety, burnout, and panic attacks - depression, isolation, and addiction - autism spectrum and ADHD/ADD - sexuality and gender - altered states of consciousness and psychedelic experiences My Master’s thesis in Clinical Psychology focused on psychotherapy treatment outcomes and feedback systems with adult clients. My final thesis in Gestalt therapy training explored attachment theory and the manifestation of attachment patterns in adult close relationships. My final thesis in sex therapy training examined the clinical use of five structured written exercises across therapeutic processes, supporting work on individual sexual satisfaction, relationship style preferences, and communication in intimate relationships. Gestalt therapy Gestalt therapy is a humanistic and integrative form of psychotherapy that focuses on a person’s experience in the present moment. It emerged in the mid-20th century from a convergence of clinical, intellectual, and philosophical traditions, including psychoanalysis, psychodrama, Gestalt psychology, existentialism, phenomenology, and field theory. This holistic approach emphasises awareness of what is happening here and now—one’s perceptions, bodily sensations, emotions, and thoughts. The aim of therapy is to support awareness as it unfolds within an authentic, dialogical relationship between client and therapist. The term “Gestalt” comes from German and refers to a figure or form—the way something takes shape as a whole, including its character and embodied presence.

2023-> Clinical psychologist & Gestalt therapist & sex counsellor at Counselling Kollektiv Berlin, Friedelstrasse 40, Berlin 2018-2022 Clinical psychologist & Gestalt therapist at Mittelweg 50 in Berlin 2017-2018 Clinical psychologist & Gestalt therapist at private practice in Paris 2016-2017 Prison psychologist at Riihimäki prison in Finland 2015 Voluntary worker at the Finnish Red Cross at Emergency Youth Shelter in Turku, Finland

2025-2027 in-training: Gestalt Therapy Training for Supervisors, at International Institute of Gestalt Therapy and Psychopathology, Torino, Italy and Prague, Czech Republic. 2022-2023 Sex therapist (NACS-accreditation in process) at Sexpo Foundation in Helsinki, Finland 2021-2023 basic & advanced training in Phenomenological Psychopathology and Field Theory (Turin, Italy) 2014-2018 Training and certificate in Gestalt psychotherapy at Gestalt Institute of Scandinavia in Denmark 2021 post-graduate training in Sex counselling at Sexpo Foundation in Helsinki, Finland 2015-2017 Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at University of Leiden in the Netherlands 2014-2015 Master studies in Psychology at University of Copenhagen in Denmark 2013-2014 Master of Science Research in Cognition and Behavior at University of Barcelona in Spain 2015 Master of Science in Economic Sociology at University of Turku in Finland