CV

Norwegian Psychologists Specializing in Children Affected by War, Immigration, and Poverty I am a PhD holder and Clinical Psychologist experienced in initiating, creating, implementing, evaluating, and leading social and behavioral protection and change programs for children and adolescents. I have a proven track record in delivering positive mental health and well-being outcomes in fragile contexts and across economic divides.

Clinical Psychologist (PhD) – Mental Health, Education, and Social Impact

I am a clinical psychologist and researcher with extensive experience developing, implementing, and evaluating mental health and psychosocial programs across education, humanitarian, and community settings. I have led multi-country projects in collaboration with universities, NGOs, and public services, with a focus on scalable interventions, training, and applied research. My work combines clinical expertise, program design, capacity building, and evaluation, with documented outcomes in diverse and resource-constrained contexts. I am particularly interested in collaborating with universities on research, teaching, supervision, and externally funded projects related to mental health, resilience, and inclusive education.

Languages: Norwegian and English (fluent). Conversational Swahili and Arabic; intermediate French.

WORK EXPERIENCE

2022–present: Magic Mitten 

Founder and lead developer of a digital and analogue toolbox promoting mental health, learning, and resilience among children affected by war (initially Ukraine, ages 8–12). Responsible for development, evaluation, and international implementation. Currently used in Ukraine, Syria, Gaza, the USA, Norway, and Hungary. Promoted by UNESCO. https://magicmitten.org

2025
Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), Ukraine – Mental Health Activity Manager
Led and supervised a team of psychologists providing trauma-focused care for veterans and civilians. Strengthened clinical systems, staff training, and supervision structures, and supported development of sustainable MHPSS services during the war.

2023–present
Uhuru Mama Collective, Tanzania
Founder and facilitator of a handcraft and advocacy collective for 33 mothers of children with disabilities at Uhuru Mchanganyiko Primary School, Dar es Salaam. Led registration as a Tanzanian NGO and now support sustainability, partnerships, and scale-up. https://www.uhurumamacollective.or.tz/

2025–present
Adaptation of the Helping Hand for Traumatized Youth in the United States
Consultant on the adaptation of the Helping Hand intervention for traumatized children in the U.S., in collaboration with Temple University.

2020–present
Helping Hand – Lebanon & Jordan (SAMS)
Consultant, overseeing the implementation and cultural adaptation of a blended-learning psychosocial program for adolescents and their parents. Led training of facilitators, research and evaluation, and development of a trainer-of-trainers manual enabling regional scale-up.

2022 - 2023: Staff Exchange Researcher and Consultant (Norec) – Children with Disabilities and UN Rights Conventions. Collaboration between Molde University College, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, and The Open University of Tanzania. Responsible for developing a health-literacy course for implementation at The Open University of Tanzania.

2023–2024
Helping Hand for Ukrainian Adolescents
Led cultural adaptation, staff training, and evaluation support for a psychosocial program delivered by Norwegian Church Aid and HEKS/EPER in Ukraine and Romania during the war.

2017–present
Happy Helping Hand App
Co-initiated and led development of a game-based digital mental health intervention for adolescents. Implemented in five languages across seven countries. Secured NORAD funding (via Innovation Norway) and coordinated partners including Gyldendal, Attensi, The Syrian American Medical Society, and Multiaid Programs. https://attensi.com/helping-hand/

2007–present
Helping Hand (Psykologisk Førstehjelp), Norway
Initiator and lead developer of a widely used school-based program to promote well-being and prevent mental health problems among children and adolescents. Secured funding, led implementation, and supported national dissemination.

https://www.gyldendal.no/faglitteratur/psykologi/serier-i-psykologi/psykologisk-foerstehjelp/c-832607/

2004–2020
Training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – Norwegian Association for Cognitive Therapy (NFKT)
Developed and delivered professional workshops and supervision for CBT practitioners all around Norway. Designed and led two week-long professional writing seminars. Active member of the NFKT board for many years, contributing to the development and growth of the association and its policy, growth, and training programmes.
https://kognitiv.no

2014–2017
Researcher II, NORCE (Norwegian Research Centre)
Employed as researcher while completing my PhD, contributing to research on mental health, prevention, and applied psychological interventions.

2000–2013
Clinical Psychologist, Voss Hospital, Norway

1999–2000
Clinical Psychologist, Sør-Trøndelag Psychiatric Hospital, Norway

EDUCATION AND FORMAL TRAINING
2014 – 2018	PhD, University of Bergen and University of Michigan
2000 – 2004	Specialist Training for Clinical Psychologists, Norwegian Psychologist Association.
2000 – 2004	Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Training and Supervision, The Norwegian Association for Cognitive Therapy, Norway.
1999 – 1992	Clinical Study of Psychology, University of Tromsø, Norway.

SELECTED HONORS AND GRANTS

2024 - 2025	Grant from Deep Challenge Tanzania
2018 – 2022	Grant from Innovation Norway and NORAD
2022	Youth Mental Health Challenge-reward by Uplink, World Economic Forum & UNICEF
2020 – 2022	Grant from Great Canada Challenges, with SAMS
2018 – 2019	Grant from The Norwegian Health Directory, with Bærum
2014 – 2017	PhD grant, The Norwegian Research Council
2014 – 2015	Personal grant from Extrastiftelsen
2014	Personal grant from Kavlifondet
2013	The Norwegian Psychology Association´ Aasa Gruda Skard´s grant
2012	Bergen University Hospital´s prize for Innovation

SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS

Raknes, S., Sæbjørnsen, S.E.N., Aarlie H.C., Bromstad, T.M.N., Makuu M.J., Yamala, C., Hean, S. (2024). Starting a cultural collective for mothers of children with disabilities: A case study. African Journal of Disability,13, a1367. https://doi.org/10.4102/ajod.v13i0.1367

Raknes, S., Townsend, D., Ghostine, C., Hammoud, M. (2024). Expanding access to mental health: Evaluating the potential of a severe mental health game for adolescents. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2023.0688

Raknes, S., Al-Khayat, A., & Schuler, B. (2024). Digitalized social and emotional learning and better well-being among displaced Syrian adolescents in Lebanon. International Journal of Mental Health, 53(3), 288–315. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207411.2024.2377825

Raknes, S., & Chorna, T. (2024). The Helping Hand in Ukraine: feasibility and potential impact.Pilot and Feasibility Studies 10, 96. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-024-01520-5

Wergeland, G.J.H., Haaland, A.T., Fjermestad, K.W., Öst, L.G., Gjestad, R., Bjaastad, J.F., Hoffart, A., Husabo, E., Raknes, S. & Haugland, B.S.M. (2023). Predictors of school-based cognitive behavior therapy outcome for youth with anxiety, Behaviour Research and Therapy,https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0005796723001481

Schuler, B.R., & Raknes, S. (2022). Does group size and blending matter? Impact of a digital mental health game implemented with refugees in various settings. International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, 18, 83-94. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMHSC-07-2021-0060

Townsend, D., Raknes, S., & Hammoud, M. (2022). Psychosocial support for Syrian refugee youth: Comparing delivery modes of a digital mental health game. In S. Moeschberger & L. Miller-Graff (Eds.), Psychological Research on Violence Against Children: Towards Building Cultures of Peace. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Nordgreen, T., & Raknes, S. (2021). Veiledet selvhjelp og internettbehandling for barn og ungdom. In Martinsen & Hagen (Eds.), Håndbok i kognitiv atferdsterapi i behandling av barn og unge (kap. 17, s. 459-474). Oslo: Gyldendal.

Raknes, S., & Gjertsen, O.B. (2020). Kognitive tiltak - tilpasning til kultur og kontekst. In Berg & Holt (Eds.), Kultur og kontekst i praktisk psykologarbeid (kap. 12, s. 230-250). Oslo: Gyldendal.

S., Marki, Å., Leborg, S., & Næss, J. (2020). Jeg tør! Utprøving av et kort Psykologisk førstehjelps-basert kurs for engstelige skolebarn. Retrieved from http://www.forebygging.no/Artikler/2020/Jeg-tor/

Haugland, B., Håland, Å., Baste, V., Himle, J.A., Bjåstad, J.F., Hoffart, A., Rapee, R.M., Raknes, S., Husabø, E., & Wergeland, G.J (2020). Effectiveness of brief and standard school-based cognitive behavioral interventions for adolescents with anxiety: A randomized non-inferiority study. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.

Raknes, S., Dyregrov, K., Pallesen, S., Hoffart, A., Stormyren, S., Haugland, B.S.M. (2017). A pilot study of a low threshold, low-intensity CBT intervention for traumatized adolescents. Scandinavian Psychologist. 4, e8. https://doi.org/10.15714/scandpsychol.4.e8

Raknes, S., Pallesen, S., Bjaastad, J., Wergeland, G.J., Hoffart, A., Dyregrov, K., Håland, Å., Haugland, B.S.M. (2017). Negative Life Events, Social Support and Self-Efficacy in Anxious Adolescents. Psychological Reports. doi:10.1177/0033294117699820">doi:10.1177/0033294117699820

Raknes, S., Pallesen, S., Himle, J., Bjaastad, J.F., Wergeland, G.J., Hoffart, A., ... Haugland, B.S.M. (2017). Quality of life in anxious adolescents. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, 11(33), 1-11.

Raknes, Hansen, Cederkvist, Nordgaard (2017).Psykologisk førstehjelp i skole og skolehelsetjeneste. I Kvarme (red). Sårbare skolebarn. Bergen: Fagbokforlaget.

Raknes S, Johansen KW, Tørnes H, Håvardstun T (2016).Psykologisk kunnskap for barnehagebarn. Psykologi i kommunen,1, 45-53.

Raknes S (2007). Åtferdseksperiment som metode i behandling av sosial fobi. Tidsskrift for norsk psykologforening, 2, 139-147.

SELECTED LECTURES AND WORKSHOPS

2009--present	Lectured extensively in all parts of the health, support, and school system in Norway; more than 300 workshops for clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, GPs, school health nurses, psychiatric nurses, social workers, and teachers.
April 22, 2026	Invited guest speaker at Kairuki University, Tanzania. How Thoughts Influence Health.
March 11 - 17, 2026	Training PSS workers in Lebanon and Jordan to implement the Helping Hand Caregiver Program
March - June 2025	Developed and delivered training for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) psychologists in Ukraine on implementing the Magic Mitten intervention with war-affected children.
May - June 2024	Developed and delivered a course in clear, precise English writing for Tanzanian staff at the Norwegian Embassy in Tanzania, with emphasis on cross-cultural communication and professional clarity.
Sept 19, 2024	Exploring the economic, social, and emotional impact of a cultural collective for caretakers of children with disabilities in Dar es Salaam. Conference presentation, UNICEF, Zanzibar, Tanzania ”Building brighter futures for children”
2017 - 2022	Lectured extensively in several NGOs in Lebanon.
2023	Speech at UNICEF Tanzania: Young Tanzanians Gaming for Mental Health?
2023	Training and supervising MHPSS workers to use the Helping Hand program in Romania and Ukraine.
2022	Keynote speaker at Women´s International League for Peace and Freedom, webinar, Stop War. The Helping Hand for the Social and Emotional, Washington DC.
2021	Keynote speaker at Universidade dos Valores, Portugal. Overcoming Exclusion and Trauma: Rooting learning activities in fundamental values.
2020	The Importance of Play for children in the times of crises. Bangkok International Children’s Theatre Fest.
2017	Lecture for The Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs. “Edutainment: Entertainment in education”
2017	Helping Hands – Happy Kids. Workshop, School of Social Work, University of Michigan, USA.
2011	Psychological First Aid Kit as prevention: Low-threshold cognitive self-help approach for children, adolescents, and families. EABCT congress in Reykjavik, Iceland.