Maria Kjellgren

Maria Kjellgren is an Associate Professor at the Department of Social Work and the Unit of Police Work at Umeå University, Sweden. She holds a PhD in Social Work and is a licensed psychotherapist, healthcare counselor, and supervisor. Her work focuses on school social workers' counseling practices with children and adolescents in Swedish elementary schools, emphasizing professional challenges, policy implications, and mental health support systems.

Her research explores topics such as individual counseling protocols, qualitative analysis of professional roles, and the intersection of education and social work. Key studies include investigations into adolescent perspectives on counseling effectiveness and the organizational dynamics shaping school social workers' identities.

Teaching responsibilities include courses on professional encounters in social work, healthcare roles, and counseling methodologies. She contributes to research groups focusing on health professions, educational social perspectives, and organizational collaboration. Recent publications highlight her commitment to advancing understanding of child welfare systems and social work practices in institutional settings.