This article is one in a series of interviews with expats in Stavanger. Its purpose is to share with everyone what your fellow expats are doing and also to help advertise the businesses/services/events that these expats are involved in. If you would like to or know of a business/enterprise to be interviewed, feel free to contact us!
Interview with Anthony Hawke, a local psychologist fluent in both English and Norwegian.
Where are you from?
I moved to Oslo from Cape Town, South Africa, in 1987. I have since lived in Gjøvik and Trondheim.
How long have you lived in Stavanger?
I moved to Stavanger in October 2009 after having completed a period of service as crisis counsellor in The United Nations.
What do you think of Stavanger?
Stavanger is a really wonderful city. The combination of old style architecture and modern international business is really unique in Norway. The people of Stavanger are generally very friendly and welcoming to foreigners. A significant proportion of the city’s population are international expats so that most Norwegians living in Stavanger speak English.
Do you have any advice for people who are new to Stavanger?
A stroll down to the city’s harbour and water front is a must. During the tourist season, one can see huge passenger ships docked right in the city centre. At times there are tourists everywhere making for a very festive atmosphere.
After living here for 2 years, do you feel like you have integrated into the lifestyle and culture here?
I certainly feel that I have integrated into the lifestyle and culture of Norway. However,I am South African and will always be South African. I find that Norwegians respectthis and many of my Norwegian friends have travelled with me to South Africa. Norwegian weather is terrible and I will never get used to it!
Can you tell us more about yourself, your work experience and your qualifications?
I studied psychology at the University of Cape Town, then later at the University of Port Elizabeth in South Africa. I never worked as a psychologist in South Africa because I left the country immediately after completing my Masters degree. I had to complete a number of courses at The University of Oslo in order to be registered as a clinical psychologist in Norway. Of course, language is vital to my profession so I had to study Norwegian and work very hard to learn to speak the language fluently.
In 1994 I completed a five year education through the Norwegian Psychological Association allowing me to register with the association as a specialist in adult clinical psychology.
I have worked as a psychologist for 25 years and have therefore accumulated a great deal of experience in fields related to psychiatry and family counseling. I am now in the process of establishing a small private practice at my home in the centre of Stavanger. I am particularly interested in working with problems related to anxiety, stress and depression.
What got you into psychology?
I love working with people and have always found relating to others something I am good at. Later, as I grew older, I became more interested in understanding what makes people the way they are.
What kind of services do you offer and are they in English or Norwegian, or both?
I am offer short term and long term therapy to individuals needing professional help. People in our modern western society do not always have the time or energy to help others. Many of my clients speak to me of how lonely they sometimes feel. Having a professional person to speak to allows for one to identify problems and find workable solutions in a secure and friendly environment.
English is my first language. However, I also speak fluent Norwegian.
How can you be contacted?
I can be contacted on my cell phone. My number is 91172653. For reasons related to security, psychologists are not allowed to communicate with clients by email. Important therefore that persons contact me by phone. At present, clients can expect to wait approximately two weeks before their first session. A therapy session will typically last 90 minutes and cost kr 1000,00.
Thank you for your time Anthony, we wish you and your practice all the best!
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About Fonda LaShay
Fonda is an American who has been living in Stavanger since July of 2008 with her Norwegian samboer. She enjoys tea, visiting with friends, music, taking photos and traveling. She loves the rain, but really dislikes when her feet get wet - this is always challenging since it rains so often in Stavanger. Follow Fonda LaShay on Google+ Fonda is a design blogger - blogging about design, architecture, photography, and music. Check out her blog!
