Silja Berg Kårstad
Foto:
Kai T. Dragland / NTNU
About
Current Position
I work as an Associate Professor at RKBU. My research has focused on young children’s understanding of emotions in the Tidlig Trygg study in Trondheim. I am particularly interested in infant and early childhood mental health, as well as how to support parental mental health and parenting skills. I also work as a Specialist Psychologist in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) unit at St. Olavs Hospital.
Research Groups
- Communication, Interaction, and Early Intervention from a Life Course Perspective
- Cerebral Palsy
Background
Cand.psychol. (equivalent to MSc in Psychology), 2002, NTNU
Specialist certification in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 2012
PhD, 2016, NTNU
Young children’s emotion understanding: The impact of parent and child factors, socioeconomic status, and culture
Previous positions include Lecturer at the Department of Psychology, NTNU, and Psychologist at a parent–child center in Trondheim.
Research Interests
- Developmental psychology
- Children’s emotional competence
- Parent–child interaction
- Parental mental health during pregnancy and the postnatal period
- Infant and early childhood mental health
- Young children with congenital severe heart disease
- Young children with cerebral palsy (CP)
Ongoing Projects
- Small Step – An early intervention program for infants at high risk of cerebral palsy
- Emotion Talk – A study of children aged 4–8 focusing on emotion understanding, parent–child conversations about emotions, and parental mentalization capacity
- Supporting the Development of Behaviour and Emotion Regulation in Children Aged 12–42 Months: A Single-Case Experimental Design of Parent–Child Interaction Therapy
Teaching
Teaching in the Master’s program in Mental Health, the Medical Program, the Bachelor’s program in Intellectual Disability Nursing, the Midwifery Program, the Occupational Therapy Program, and the Ultrasound Program for Midwives at NTNU.
Responsible for teaching on mental health during pregnancy and the postpartum period as part of Tidlig inn. Provides training courses in various intervention methods.
Professional Service
Member of the Norwegian Psychological Association (NPA) and board member of the Nordic Association for Infant Mental Health (NAIMH) / Nordic Association for Infant Development (NFSU).
Publications
2025
-
O, Olga V Lehmann;
Ansar, Nadia;
Markova, Valeria;
Ness, Ottar;
Kårstad, Silja Berg.
(2025)
Facilitating Emotion Focused Skills Training for parents online (EFST-O): Insights about self-disclosure, group dynamics and culture.
European Journal for Qualitative Research in Psychotherapy (EJQRP)
Academic article
2024
-
Høivik, Magnhild Singstad;
Drozd, Filip;
Kårstad, Silja Berg.
(2024)
Marte Meo.
Non-fiction chapter
-
Elvrum, Ann-Kristin Gunnes;
Kårstad, Silja Berg;
Hansen, Gry;
Bjørkøy, Ingrid Randby;
Lydersen, Stian;
Hermansen Grunewaldt, Kristine;
Eliasson, Ann-Christin.
(2024)
The Small Step Early Intervention Program for Infants at High Risk of Cerebral Palsy: A Single-Subject Research Design Study.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Academic article
-
Elvrum, Ann-Kristin Gunnes;
Eliasson, Ann-Christin;
Kårstad, Silja Berg;
Sæther, Rannei;
Søderstrøm, Sylvia.
(2024)
Parents’ experiences of participating in the Small Step early intervention program for infants at high risk of cerebral palsy: essential components and potential dilemmas.
Disability and Rehabilitation
Academic article
2023
-
Laugen, Nina Jakhelln;
Kårstad, Silja Berg;
Reinfjell, Trude;
Wichstrøm, Lars.
(2023)
The Development of Emotion Understanding in Children: The Importance of Parents, Teachers, and Peers.
Developmental Psychology
Academic article
-
Sandnes, Kjersti;
Kårstad, Silja Berg;
Lydersen, Stian;
Berg-Nielsen, Turid Suzanne.
(2023)
Are changes in mothers’ representations of their infants related to changes in observed mother–infant interaction quality?.
Infant Behavior and Development
Academic article
-
Sandnes, Kjersti;
Berg-Nielsen, Turid Suzanne;
Lydersen, Stian;
Kårstad, Silja Berg.
(2023)
Can mothers' representations of their infants be improved in primary care? A randomized controlled trial of a parenting intervention using video feedback in a predominantly low- to moderate- risk sample.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
Academic article
-
Hagen, Anne Hilde Vassbø;
Ansar, Nadia;
Autsbø, Bente;
Kårstad, Silja Berg;
O, Olga V Lehmann.
(2023)
Guidelines for an Online & Cultural Inclusive Version of Emotion Focused Skills Training for Parents (EFST-O).
Empty Chair Publisher
Research report
2022
-
Rimehaug, Tormod;
Kårstad, Silja Berg.
(2022)
Communication and Emotional Vocabulary; Relevance for Mental Health Among School-Age Youths.
Frontiers in Psychology
Academic article
-
Kårstad, Silja Berg;
Laugen, Nina Jakhelln.
(2022)
Sosioemosjonell utvikling.
Non-fiction chapter
-
Kårstad, Silja Berg;
Bjørseth, Åse Gresseth;
Lindstedt, Johanna;
Brenne, Anne Synnøve;
Steihaug, Helene;
Elvrum, Ann-Kristin Gunnes.
(2022)
Parental Coping, Representations, and Interactions with Their Infants at High Risk of Cerebral Palsy.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Academic article
2021
-
Sandnes, Kjersti;
Lydersen, Stian;
Kårstad, Silja Berg;
Berg-Nielsen, Turid Suzanne.
(2021)
Measuring mothers' representations of their infants: Psychometric properties of the clinical scales of the working model of the child interview in a low- to moderate-risk sample.
Infant Mental Health Journal
Academic article
2019
-
Skalicka, Vera;
Hygen, Beate Wold;
Stenseng, Frode;
Kårstad, Silja Berg;
Wichstrøm, Lars.
(2019)
Screen time and the development of emotion understanding from age 4 to age 8: A community study.
British Journal of Developmental Psychology
Academic article
2016
-
Kårstad, Silja Berg;
Vikan, Arne;
Berg-Nielsen, Turid Suzanne;
Moreira, Polyana* de Lucena;
Abreu, Eloa Losano de;
Rique, Julio.
(2016)
Young Brazilian Children’s Emotion Understanding: A Comparison within and across Cultures.
Journal of Educational and Developmental Psychology
Academic article
-
Reinfjell, Trude;
Kårstad, Silja Berg;
Berg-Nielsen, Turid Suzanne;
Luby, J. L.;
Wichstrøm, Lars.
(2016)
Predictors of change in depressive symptoms from preschool to first grade.
Development and Psychopathology
Academic article
2015
-
Kårstad, Silja Berg;
Wichstrøm, Lars;
Reinfjell, Trude;
Belsky, Jay;
Berg-Nielsen, Turid Suzanne.
(2015)
What enhances the development of emotion understanding in young children? A longitudinal study of interpersonal predictors.
British Journal of Developmental Psychology
Academic article
2014
-
Kårstad, Silja Berg;
Kvello, Øyvind;
Wichstrøm, Lars;
Berg-Nielsen, Turid Suzanne.
(2014)
What do parents know about their children's comprehension of emotions? Accuracy of parental estimates in a community sample of pre-schoolers.
Child: Care, Health and Development
Academic article
2013
-
Vikan, Arne;
Kårstad, Silja Berg;
Dias, Maria.
(2013)
Young Brazilian and Norwegian children’s concepts of strategies and goals for emotion regulation.
Journal of Early Childhood Research
Academic article
Journal publications
-
O, Olga V Lehmann;
Ansar, Nadia;
Markova, Valeria;
Ness, Ottar;
Kårstad, Silja Berg.
(2025)
Facilitating Emotion Focused Skills Training for parents online (EFST-O): Insights about self-disclosure, group dynamics and culture.
European Journal for Qualitative Research in Psychotherapy (EJQRP)
Academic article
-
Kårstad, Silja Berg;
Wichstrøm, Lars;
Reinfjell, Trude;
Belsky, Jay;
Berg-Nielsen, Turid Suzanne.
(2015)
What enhances the development of emotion understanding in young children? A longitudinal study of interpersonal predictors.
British Journal of Developmental Psychology
Academic article
-
Laugen, Nina Jakhelln;
Kårstad, Silja Berg;
Reinfjell, Trude;
Wichstrøm, Lars.
(2023)
The Development of Emotion Understanding in Children: The Importance of Parents, Teachers, and Peers.
Developmental Psychology
Academic article
-
Skalicka, Vera;
Hygen, Beate Wold;
Stenseng, Frode;
Kårstad, Silja Berg;
Wichstrøm, Lars.
(2019)
Screen time and the development of emotion understanding from age 4 to age 8: A community study.
British Journal of Developmental Psychology
Academic article
-
Kårstad, Silja Berg;
Vikan, Arne;
Berg-Nielsen, Turid Suzanne;
Moreira, Polyana* de Lucena;
Abreu, Eloa Losano de;
Rique, Julio.
(2016)
Young Brazilian Children’s Emotion Understanding: A Comparison within and across Cultures.
Journal of Educational and Developmental Psychology
Academic article
-
Elvrum, Ann-Kristin Gunnes;
Kårstad, Silja Berg;
Hansen, Gry;
Bjørkøy, Ingrid Randby;
Lydersen, Stian;
Hermansen Grunewaldt, Kristine;
Eliasson, Ann-Christin.
(2024)
The Small Step Early Intervention Program for Infants at High Risk of Cerebral Palsy: A Single-Subject Research Design Study.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Academic article
-
Rimehaug, Tormod;
Kårstad, Silja Berg.
(2022)
Communication and Emotional Vocabulary; Relevance for Mental Health Among School-Age Youths.
Frontiers in Psychology
Academic article
-
Sandnes, Kjersti;
Kårstad, Silja Berg;
Lydersen, Stian;
Berg-Nielsen, Turid Suzanne.
(2023)
Are changes in mothers’ representations of their infants related to changes in observed mother–infant interaction quality?.
Infant Behavior and Development
Academic article
-
Sandnes, Kjersti;
Berg-Nielsen, Turid Suzanne;
Lydersen, Stian;
Kårstad, Silja Berg.
(2023)
Can mothers' representations of their infants be improved in primary care? A randomized controlled trial of a parenting intervention using video feedback in a predominantly low- to moderate- risk sample.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
Academic article
-
Elvrum, Ann-Kristin Gunnes;
Eliasson, Ann-Christin;
Kårstad, Silja Berg;
Sæther, Rannei;
Søderstrøm, Sylvia.
(2024)
Parents’ experiences of participating in the Small Step early intervention program for infants at high risk of cerebral palsy: essential components and potential dilemmas.
Disability and Rehabilitation
Academic article
-
Sandnes, Kjersti;
Lydersen, Stian;
Kårstad, Silja Berg;
Berg-Nielsen, Turid Suzanne.
(2021)
Measuring mothers' representations of their infants: Psychometric properties of the clinical scales of the working model of the child interview in a low- to moderate-risk sample.
Infant Mental Health Journal
Academic article
-
Reinfjell, Trude;
Kårstad, Silja Berg;
Berg-Nielsen, Turid Suzanne;
Luby, J. L.;
Wichstrøm, Lars.
(2016)
Predictors of change in depressive symptoms from preschool to first grade.
Development and Psychopathology
Academic article
-
Kårstad, Silja Berg;
Kvello, Øyvind;
Wichstrøm, Lars;
Berg-Nielsen, Turid Suzanne.
(2014)
What do parents know about their children's comprehension of emotions? Accuracy of parental estimates in a community sample of pre-schoolers.
Child: Care, Health and Development
Academic article
-
Vikan, Arne;
Kårstad, Silja Berg;
Dias, Maria.
(2013)
Young Brazilian and Norwegian children’s concepts of strategies and goals for emotion regulation.
Journal of Early Childhood Research
Academic article
-
Kårstad, Silja Berg;
Bjørseth, Åse Gresseth;
Lindstedt, Johanna;
Brenne, Anne Synnøve;
Steihaug, Helene;
Elvrum, Ann-Kristin Gunnes.
(2022)
Parental Coping, Representations, and Interactions with Their Infants at High Risk of Cerebral Palsy.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Academic article
Part of book/report
-
Høivik, Magnhild Singstad;
Drozd, Filip;
Kårstad, Silja Berg.
(2024)
Marte Meo.
Non-fiction chapter
-
Kårstad, Silja Berg;
Laugen, Nina Jakhelln.
(2022)
Sosioemosjonell utvikling.
Non-fiction chapter
Report
-
Hagen, Anne Hilde Vassbø;
Ansar, Nadia;
Autsbø, Bente;
Kårstad, Silja Berg;
O, Olga V Lehmann.
(2023)
Guidelines for an Online & Cultural Inclusive Version of Emotion Focused Skills Training for Parents (EFST-O).
Empty Chair Publisher
Research report
Teaching
Courses
Outreach
2025
-
InterviewKarlsen, Mariann Schjølberg; Aasheim, Merete; Slinning, Kari; Røsand, Gun-Mette Brandsnes; Hella, Randi Træland; Kårstad, Silja Berg. (2025) Tar sats for de minste.
-
Feature article
-
LectureKårstad, Silja Berg. (2025) Far på helsestasjonen og fødselsdepresjon hos far. Far på helsestasjonen og fødselsdepresjon hos far
-
Lecture
-
LectureKårstad, Silja Berg. (2025) Opplæringsprogrammet Tidlig Inn, koordinator- og veiledersamling. Bonding med baby i svangerskap og etter fødsel. "Hjelp meg å bli glad i babyen min!"
-
LectureKårstad, Silja Berg. (2025) Opplæringsprogrammet Tidlig Inn, dag 3 med fokus på psykiske reaksjoner i svangerskap og barseltid. Opplæringsprogrammet Tidlig Inn, dag 3 med fokus på psykiske reaksjoner i svangerskap og barseltid
-
LectureKårstad, Silja Berg; Bjørseth, Åse Gresseth. (2025) Opplæringsprogrammet Tidlig Inn, dag 3 med fokus på psykiske reaksjoner i svangerskap og barseltid. Opplæringsprogrammet Tidlig Inn, dag 3 med fokus på psykiske reaksjoner i svangerskap og barseltid
-
LectureKårstad, Silja Berg; Våge, Kristine Gudmundsen. (2025) Kurs i Edinburgh-metoden (EPDS og støttesamtaler). Kurs i Edinburgh-metoden (EPDS og støttesamtaler)
-
LectureKårstad, Silja Berg. (2025) Kurs i Edinburgh-metoden (EPDS og støttesamtaler). Kurs i Edinburgh-metoden (EPDS og støttesamtaler)
2024
-
LectureKårstad, Silja Berg; Sandnes, Kjersti; Bjørseth, Åse Gresseth. (2024) Kurs i klinisk bruk av WMCI. Kurs i klinisk bruk av WMCI
-
Interview
-
LectureKårstad, Silja Berg. (2024) Fars vei inn i foreldrerollen. Veileder- og koordinatorsamling digitalt Tidlig inn
-
LectureSandnes, Kjersti; Kårstad, Silja Berg. (2024) Kurs i Edinburghmetoden. Kurs for jordmødre og helsesykepleiere
-
LectureKårstad, Silja Berg; Laugen, Nina Jakhelln. (2024) Emosjonell forståelse hos barn. Sped- og småbarnskonferansen - Nå de små
-
Lecture
-
LectureKårstad, Silja Berg. (2024) The child with CHD in a family perspective. 52nd Nordic Pediatric Cardiology Meeting (NPCM2024)
-
LectureSandnes, Kjersti; Kårstad, Silja Berg; Bjørseth, Åse Gresseth. (2024) Kurs i klinisk bruk av WMCI. Kurs
2023
-
Lecture
-
LectureKårstad, Silja Berg. (2023) Små barn med somatiske diagnoser: Et familieperspektiv (webinar). Webinar for kunnskapombarn.no
-
LectureSandnes, Kjersti; Kårstad, Silja Berg; Olavesen, Ellen Solstad. (2023) Early in: A program promoting screening and communication about parental mental health, alcohol use and domestic violence. Muntlig presentasjon
-
Interview
-
LectureKårstad, Silja Berg; Våge, Kristine Gudmundsen. (2023) Kurs i Edinburghmetoden. Kurs i Edinburghmetoden
2022
-
Blog postBjørseth, Åse Gresseth; Kårstad, Silja Berg; Våge, Kristine Gudmundsen; Seim, Astrid Røsland. (2022) God mental helse starter ved unnfangelse – eller før?.
-
Conference lectureElvrum, Ann-Kristin Gunnes; Bjørkøy, Ingrid Randby; Hansen, Gry; Steihaug, Helene; Kårstad, Silja Berg; Eliasson, Ann-Christin. (2022) Small Step - intensiv trening for babyer med høy risiko for cerebral parese. Norsk fagkongress i ergoterapi 2022
-
LectureKårstad, Silja Berg. (2022) Følelsesfokusert tilnærming i arbeid med barn. Seminar i Folkehelseprogrammet «Se meg og jeg ser deg»
-
LectureKårstad, Silja Berg. (2022) Parental coping, representations, and interactions with their infants at high risk of cerebral palsy. Forelesning
-
Conference posterKårstad, Silja Berg; Bjørseth, Åse Gresseth; Lindstedt, Johanna; Brenne, Anne Synnøve; Steihaug, Helene; Elvrum, Ann-Kristin Gunnes. (2022) Parenting infants at high risk of cerebral palsy; parental coping, parent-infant relationship and interaction. The International Marce Society Conference
2021
-
LectureSandnes, Kjersti; Kårstad, Silja Berg. (2021) Psykiske reaksjoner i svangerskap og barseltid. Erfaringsdag EPDS
-
LectureSandnes, Kjersti; Kårstad, Silja Berg; Bjørseth, Åse Gresseth. (2021) Kurs i Edinburghmetoden, dag 2. Kurs i Edinburgmetoden
-
LectureSandnes, Kjersti; Kårstad, Silja Berg; Bjørseth, Åse Gresseth. (2021) Kurs i Edinburghmetoden. Kurs i Edinburgmetoden
-
Lecture
-
LectureKårstad, Silja Berg. (2021) Small Step: Kliniske erfaringer fra arbeid med barn og foreldre. Faglig foredrag
-
LectureKårstad, Silja Berg; Brean, Gro Vatne; Holden, Karianne Framstad; Sanner, Nina. (2021) DC 0-5 Diagnostisk vurdering av sped- og småbarn (0 tom. 5 år) Webinar Introduksjonskurs. Del 1. Kurs
-
LectureKårstad, Silja Berg; Brean, Gro Vatne; Holden, Karianne Framstad; Sanner, Nina. (2021) DC 0-5 Diagnostisk vurdering av sped- og småbarn (0 tom. 5 år) Webinar Introduksjonskurs. Erfaringsdag. Kurs
-
Interview
-
LectureKårstad, Silja Berg. (2021) Tidlig intervensjonsprogram for babyer med høy risiko for CP med fokus på kommunikasjon mellom foreldre og barn. Ser du meg? Fagseminar for professor Turid Suzanne Berg-Nielsen
2020
-
Interview
-
Interview
-
Interview
-
Interview
-
InterviewKårstad, Silja Berg; Bakken, Anne Karen. (2020) BUP PÅ BARNE- OG UNGDOMSKLINIKKEN PÅ ST. OLAVS HOSPITAL: Bygge bro mellom fysisk og psykisk helse.
-
InterviewKårstad, Silja Berg. (2020) Psykososial oppfølging av små barn med alvorlig hjertefeil og deres foreldre.
-
Feature article
-
Lecture
-
LectureSandnes, Kjersti; Kårstad, Silja Berg; Høivik, Magnhild Singstad. (2020) Kurs i Edinburghmetoden. Kurs i Edinburghmetoden
2019
-
LectureKårstad, Silja Berg. (2019) Hvilke konsekvenser kan det ha for små barn når foreldre overvurderer sitt barns evne til å forstå følelser?. Sårbare relasjoner. Forskning, forebygging og behandling
-
LectureKårstad, Silja Berg. (2019) Barn og følelser. styrermøter for private og kommunale barnehager Steinkjer kommune
-
LectureKårstad, Silja Berg. (2019) Følelser.Barn,foreldre og hjelpere. Jubileumsseminar Familieambulatoriet
-
LectureSandnes, Kjersti; Kårstad, Silja Berg; Høivik, Magnhild Singstad. (2019) EPDS og støttesamtaler. Opplæring i Edinburghmetoden. Kurs i Edinburghmetoden
-
LectureKårstad, Silja Berg. (2019) Barns forståelse av følelser. Seminar for professor Turid Suzanne Berg-Nielsen
-
LectureKårstad, Silja Berg; Brenne, Anne Synnøve. (2019) Emosjonell kompetanse hos barn. Fagdag for fagfolk som jobber med barn i alderen 0-6 år
-
Lecture
-
Conference lectureSkalicka, Vera; Hygen, Beate Wold; Stenseng, Frode; Kårstad, Silja Berg; Wichstrøm, Lars. (2019) Screen time and the development of emotion understanding. 19th European conference on developmental psychology
-
LectureKårstad, Silja Berg. (2019) Belastninger for store og små- når barnet har hjertefeil. Folkemøte på Hell – «Livet skal leves»
-
LectureSandnes, Kjersti; Kårstad, Silja Berg. (2019) Psykiske reaksjoner i svangerskap og barseltid- oppfriskning av dag 3 Tidlig inn. Digital forelesning
-
LectureKårstad, Silja Berg; Holden, Karianne Framstad. (2019) Nettverkssamling diagnosesystem DC 0-5. Nettverkssamling diagnosesystem DC 0-5
2018
-
LectureKårstad, Silja Berg. (2018) Emosjonell kompetanse Barn, foreldre og oss hjelpere. Fagdag for BUP Namsos og BUP Levanger
-
Lecture
-
LectureKårstad, Silja Berg. (2018) Somatisk syke småbarn. Nå de små. Sped- og småbarnskonferansen Midt-Norge
-
Lecture
-
Lecture
-
LectureSandnes, Kjersti; Kårstad, Silja Berg; Brenne, Anne Synnøve. (2018) Opplæring i Working Model of the Child Interview. Kurs 7.09.2018 og 7.12.2018
2017
-
Lecture
-
Lecture
-
LectureSandnes, Kjersti; Kårstad, Silja Berg. (2017) Nedstemthet i svangerskap og barseltid. Tidlig Inn, dag 3
-
Conference posterKårstad, Silja Berg; Wichstrøm, Lars; Berg-Nielsen, Turid Suzanne; Kvello, Øyvind. (2017) What do parents know about their children`s understanding of emotions? Accuracy of parental mentalization in a community sample of pre-schoolers. International Attachment Conference
-
Contribution to radio or TV
2014
-
Conference lectureReinfjell, Trude; Kårstad, Silja Berg; Berg-Nielsen, Turid Suzanne; Wichstrøm, Lars. (2014) Preschool predictors of change in symptoms of depression in first grade. The International Association for Child & Adolescent Psychiatry & Allied Professions (IACAPAP)
2007
-
Conference lecture
-
Conference poster
2006
-
Conference lectureKårstad, Silja Berg. (2006) The relationship between parents' attitude towards their preschoolers' emotional expressiveness and their children's level of emotion understanding. The autumn conferences at the Dept. of Developmental and Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology 1. The Brazilian connection
2005
-
Lecture
-
Conference posterKårstad, Silja Berg; Brandt, Anne Elisabeth. (2005) Samspillets muligheter- innspill fra klinisk praksis med risikofamilier. Norsk Psykologikongress