Project Director

Hildur Jónsdóttir has a degree in journalism from Denmark's School of Journalism and has studied Public Administration. She has created and/or directed projects for Iceland and other Nordic and European countries. She was the first gender-equality officer for the City of Reykjavík (1996-2006). She continued working for another decade on gender equality and culture at the Ministry of Social Affairs, The Prime Minister’s Office(PMO) and the Ministry of Culture and Education. Hildur is the former chair of the Icelandic Gender Equality Council and the Expert and Coordination Team on Human Trafficking. The projects she has created / directed include Fathers on Paternity Leave, Striking the Balance (on Work-Life Balance), Future in a New Country (among immigrant youths) and Gender Budgeting in the State Budget. She also chaired and was the main author of the Icelandic Equal Pay Standard and represented the PMO on the management team for The Icelandic Master Plan for Nature Protection and Energy Utilization 2013-2016.

Director of Therapy

Elísabet Lorange is an art therapist and teacher by education. She has worked as an independent art therapist for the last 15 years. Her clientele includes people of all ages, and her work is based on psychological deep-reaching techniques that focus on relations and emotional processing. For the last few years, Elísabet has specialized in working with adults and foster families. She has also directed many courses and serviced institutions and organizations throughout Iceland, such as Child Welfare, secondary schools, The Red Cross, The Light (for cancer patients), The Cancer Association in Akureyri and vicinity, The Grief Centre, Parents House against Addiction, Labour Market Rehabilitation of East Iceland, VáVest (anti-addiction association for youth), The Adult Learning Centre of Reykjavik and the Recovery School of Iceland. Elísabet, together with Valgerður H. Bjarnadóttir, founded Dream Story – education in dream studies.

Psychologist

Jóhanna Kristín Jónsdóttir is a clinical psychologist, with an MA in Cultural Organization. Her professional career as a psychologist spans 15 years. She has specialized in cognitive behavioural therapy and clinical hypnosis and is an accredited EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) trauma therapist. Jóhanna worked for several years in the Children’s Psychiatry Ward, conducted diagnosis and therapy of young people and held a consultative position at The Children‘s Hospital. In 2011, she opened her clinic and has a contract with the Health Clinic (Heilsuvernd) and VIRK Labour Market Rehabilitation Fund. Jóhanna has conducted several research projects and seminars as well as education and training courses for private and public companies. She offers therapy to those suffering from depression, anxiety, exhaustion, and trauma repercussions and is dedicated to leading clients toward a higher quality of life and work.

Occupational and Family Therapist

Helga Jóna Ósmann Sigurðardóttir is an occupational therapist (BSc) and family therapist (MA). Her BSc essay was based on her research of prisoners’ skills and their occupational satisfaction. Her MA thesis analyses the experience, well-being, and resources of cancer patients’ families that use the services of Ljósið (cancer service centre). Helga Jóna was employed at the Children‘s Psychiatry Ward and worked in various teams with in-patient and out-patient children and their families as well as a food disorder team and transgender children team. Since 2017, she has worked at Ljósið, a rehabilitation centre for cancer patients and their families. Helga Jóna has further education, both in Iceland and abroad, in Experiential Learning/Adventure Therapy and has given courses in this area for workplaces, institutions and organizations, such as The Grief Centre, The Cancer Society in Akureyri and Rainbow Children. Helga Jóna is a life-long learner and is experienced in interviewing individuals, couples and families.

Director of Nursing

Margrét Ýrr Sigurgeirsdóttir is a registered nurse with an MS in Management of Health Institutions and a diploma in psychological care. For most of her career, she has held the position of Director of Nursing at the Elderly Care Centre in Hella while also working in the emergency rooms at the Landspitali University National Hospital as well as the regional hospital in South Iceland. For three decades, Margrét has been an active member of a Rescue Squad and has completed several courses in psychological first aid and trauma response. Margrét is also trained in relaxation techniques and has a teacher’s certificate in Yoga Nidra relaxation, which has proven to be an effective tool in dealing with stress and trauma. Margrét is currently Director of Nursing in the Public Health Institute in Rangárþing Municipality (South Iceland) and volunteers in the Flight Rescue Squad in Hella and the Early Psychological Response Team of the Red Cross in South Iceland. Margrét is a member of the Soroptimist Club of South Iceland.