Gustav Been, MSc

Therapeutic Counsellor

Verified

“Relational and integrative counselling for adults experiencing difficulties in their relationships, emotional lives, or sense of identity and direction. Some come with a particular challenge or significant life change; others come with something that's been troubling them for some time, even if they can't quite put it into words.”

About me

My interest is in understanding people as individuals, rather than through a particular diagnosis or psychological theory. I take the knowledge and methods of psychotherapy seriously, but I also recognise their limitations. People are complicated, and what makes sense in one person's life may make very little sense in another's. I approach this work with curiosity, care, and a willingness to question my own assumptions as readily as anyone else's. I don't believe a therapist needs to have all the answers, but I do think they should bring more to the conversation than a sympathetic ear. I offer individual counselling in English and Swedish, online internationally and in person in Málaga by arrangement. You can book a free 20-minute introductory call through my website.

Approach

My approach is relational and integrative, informed by contemporary psychology and therapeutic frameworks, particularly Internal Family Systems (IFS). I tend to look at people's difficulties in the wider context of their lives. Our emotions, relationships, experiences, and ways of coping are interconnected, and even patterns that cause us problems may have developed for understandable reasons. We can have conflicting feelings and needs, or find ourselves doing things that seem at odds with what we consciously want. Exploring these different aspects of ourselves can help us understand not only why we struggle, but also what might need to change. The work isn't confined to talking things through. There is room to engage directly with difficult emotions, explore unfamiliar aspects of ourselves, and try different ways of responding to situations. I bring structure or direction when it is useful, while allowing the work to develop in ways that reflect the person and what emerges between us.

Contact Gustav

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic information

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Languages:

English, Swedish

Fees:

Direct payment

Málaga, Spain

In-person & Online

Services

Services Offered:

Counselling
A form of talk therapy providing a safe, confidential space to explore feelings, thoughts, and behaviours with a trained professional.
Learn more about Counselling
Online Counselling
Counselling conducted via video, phone, or secure messaging, providing professional support remotely.
Learn more about Online Counselling
Relationship Counselling
Counselling for couples or partners focused on improving communication, rebuilding trust, and strengthening emotional connection.
Internal Family Systems
A therapy model that views the mind as made up of distinct sub-personalities or 'parts', each with its own role, and works to help these parts communicate and heal under the leadership of a core Self.
Individual Therapy
One-on-one therapy sessions between a client and a therapist, focused on that person's specific concerns and goals.
Learn more about Individual Therapy
Online Therapy
Therapy sessions conducted over video call, phone, or secure messaging, using the same professional methods delivered remotely.
Learn more about Online Therapy
Integrative Psychotherapy
An approach that draws on multiple therapeutic models, tailored to the individual, rather than following a single method.
Humanistic Therapy
A therapeutic approach grounded in the belief that people are inherently capable of growth and self-understanding, focusing on present experience, personal meaning, and the therapeutic relationship.

Works With:

Adults
Couples
Individuals

Area of expertise

Scope of Practice:

Cross-Cultural
The psychological challenges of living between two or more cultures, including identity conflicts, acculturation stress, and difficulties with belonging.
Identity & Self-Image
A person's sense of who they are, including their values, beliefs, roles, and self-perception, and the distress that arises when this sense is unclear, fragmented, or negative.
LGBTQI+ Support
The unique psychological experiences of LGBTQI+ individuals, including identity exploration, coming out, discrimination, minority stress, and relationship dynamics.
Life Transitions
Major life changes, such as relocation, retirement, parenthood, or career shifts, that disrupt routine and require psychological adjustment.
Learn more about Life Transitions
Relationship Issues
Difficulties in romantic relationships, including communication problems, trust breakdowns, conflict patterns, or uncertainty about the relationship's future.
Learn more about Relationship Issues
Relocation / Expat
The psychological challenges of moving to a new country or city, including loneliness, culture shock, identity shifts, and loss of social support.
Learn more about Relocation / Expat
Anxiety
Persistent worry, nervousness, or fear that is disproportionate to the situation and interferes with daily functioning.
Learn more about Anxiety
Personal Development
The ongoing process of self-awareness, self-improvement, and reaching one's potential, pursued not because something is wrong but to live more fully.
Depression
A mood disorder marked by persistent low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, and changes in energy, sleep, or appetite that impair daily functioning.
Learn more about Depression
Stress / Burnout
The body and mind's response to prolonged or excessive demands. When sustained, it can lead to emotional exhaustion, detachment, and reduced functioning (burnout).
Learn more about Stress / Burnout