Trainers
Members of DiaSek Training Association are experienced professionals in psychotherapy, research and training who apply Dialogical Sequence Analysis in their work.
Mikael Leiman
Professor Emeritus of Psychology
Over 35 years of experience developing mental health services and psychotherapy. Worked as psychologist at the Ministry of Health in the 1970s, introduced integrative short-term psychotherapy to Finland in the 1980s, and served as professor at the University of Eastern Finland. Since 2011, developed client understanding tools (DiaSek), whose effectiveness was studied in a randomized clinical trial.
Hoivatie Oy
Social enterprise — applying dialogical guidance
Hoivatie has systematically developed dialogical guidance based on Dialogical Sequence Analysis in the context of social services. This development work has been carried out since 2015 in collaboration with Mikael Leiman. The company organises annual basic training in dialogical guidance for its employees in cooperation with the Oulu University of Applied Sciences and maintains continuing education groups for those who have completed the training. Dialogical guidance is a central approach structuring practice in Hoivatie's outpatient services, child protection, and employment services. Hoivatie is a social enterprise and one of Finland's largest domestically owned social services providers. The company is owned by Nuorten Ystävät and the Oulu Deaconess Institute Foundation. Hoivatie provides a wide range of social services to diverse client groups. The company employs nearly a thousand professionals across 17 locations in over 60 units. Hoivatie was established in 2022 when Nuorten Ystävät and ODL merged their service businesses into a joint company.
Sami Kivikkokangas
Specialist psychologist, youth psychotherapist, training psychotherapist, supervisor, doctoral researcher
Teaches and writes about self-observation, Dialogical Sequence Analysis (DSA), adolescent development, psychotherapeutic technique, vulnerability and shame. Serves in multiple roles as teacher, editor, and board member.
Soile Tikkanen
Psychologist, Doctor of Psychology, training psychotherapist (Cognitive-Analytic specialization)
Expertise particularly in training psychotherapists. Individual practice ended 2022; now focuses on training and supervision.
Harri Valkonen
Psychotherapist, integrative training psychotherapist, private practice
Long experience as clinical and senior psychologist in psychiatric care. Special interests include psychotherapy integration. Researches self-observation quality with personality disorder patients.
Enikö Éva Savander
Specialist doctor, MD
General medicine specialization in 2000, psychiatry in 2003. Has pursued a patient-centered approach in her work. Dissertation in 2022. Applies DSA in psychiatric evaluation and patient work.
Juha Savolainen
Social psychologist, training psychotherapist, supervisor, doctoral researcher
Researches psychotherapy suitability assessment and short-term therapy application. Has written on dialogical sequence analysis and therapeutic effectiveness factors.
Ritva Vatjus
Psychotherapist, supervisor, Balint guide, group leader
Provides rehabilitation psychotherapy. Uses DSA-based observation in her therapy work. Dissertation 2014 on relationship-centered practice.
Mikko Inkinen
MA, MSc (Psychology), academic psychologist, psychology work lead (Aalto University)
Develops university psychology services and student wellbeing. Familiar with Dialogical Sequence Analysis since 2018. Works in psychological guidance outside the healthcare system.
Tommi Hartikainen
Psychologist, psychotherapist, training psychotherapist
Private practice in Helsinki providing long-term and short-term psychotherapy. Uses DiaSek as a structuring tool in therapy work.
Eeva Vainio
Theologian (practical theology), teacher, training planner
Developed therapeutic pastoral care training using DSA methods. Authored a therapeutic pastoral care textbook. Worked as pastoral counselor.
Jari Pihlava
Lecturer in wellbeing (occupational therapy), GAS trainer, dialogue guidance trainer
Expertise in building client-centered therapeutic relationships.
Juha Alakulppi
Lecturer (UAS), MEd, psychiatric nurse, family therapist, dialogue guidance trainer
Participated in the trainer group conducting dialogue guidance basic courses (15 credits) for the past three years.
Santeri Lanér
MSocSci, corporate coach, supervisor, solution-focused brief therapist, DiaSek coach & trainer
Combines DiaSek methods with other coaching approaches. Integrates emotion skills, self-compassion, and resource-centered approaches.