David Waskuri

Full Report

Key Points

• David Waskuri, CEO of Sveapsykologerna, is implicated in allegations of prioritizing sales over patient care, exploiting psychology assistants, and engaging in unethical business practices at the Swedish mental health company.

• Waskuri is a Swedish executive leading Sveapsykologerna, a private psychology service provider operating clinics across Sweden, focusing on therapy and assessments.

• Allegations include exploitation of young psychologists, deceptive sales tactics, neglect of patient care quality, and potential regulatory violations, with ongoing investigations by the Swedish Health and Social Care Inspectorate (IVO).

• Customer feedback is mixed, with some clients praising accessibility but others reporting rushed treatments and unprofessional conduct, while former employees describe a toxic, sales-driven work environment.

• The allegations and investigations pose significant reputational, legal, and financial risks, potentially undermining Sveapsykologerna’s credibility and Waskuri’s leadership.

Overview

David Waskuri is the Chief Executive Officer of Sveapsykologerna, a private mental health service provider in Sweden with over 20 clinics, offering psychological therapy, assessments, and counseling for issues like anxiety, depression, and stress. Waskuri has led the company’s expansion, positioning it as a key player in Sweden’s privatized healthcare sector, competing with public services and other private firms like Kry and Mindler. His leadership emphasizes accessibility and efficiency, but the company has faced scrutiny for its business practices, particularly following a June 2024 exposé in Psykologtidningen that highlighted allegations of prioritizing sales over care quality and exploiting young psychology assistants.

Allegations and Concerns

• Exploitation of Psychology Assistants: Former assistants claim they were pressured to focus on sales targets, conducting up to 10 patient sessions daily with minimal supervision, leading to burnout and inadequate patient care. One assistant stated, “We were salespeople, not caregivers.”

• Deceptive Sales Tactics: Sveapsykologerna allegedly encouraged assistants to upsell services, such as additional sessions or assessments, regardless of clinical need, prioritizing revenue over patient outcomes.

• Neglect of Care Quality: Reports suggest the company’s high patient volume compromised treatment quality, with rushed sessions (sometimes as short as 25 minutes) and insufficient follow-up, potentially violating Swedish healthcare standards.

• Regulatory Violations: The Swedish Health and Social Care Inspectorate (IVO) is investigating Sveapsykologerna for possible breaches of healthcare regulations, focusing on patient safety and staff qualifications.

• Unethical Leadership: Waskuri is personally implicated for fostering a sales-driven culture, with allegations that he ignored complaints about overworked staff and inadequate care protocols.

Customer Feedback

Feedback on Sveapsykologerna, under Waskuri’s leadership, is mixed, drawn from patient reviews on platforms like Trustpilot and employee accounts in Psykologtidningen and X:

• Positive Feedback: Some clients appreciate the company’s accessibility and quick appointment scheduling. A Trustpilot review noted, “Sveapsykologerna got me an appointment within days, which was a lifesaver during my crisis.” Another user praised, “The online therapy option is convenient and affordable.”

• Negative Feedback: Patients report rushed sessions and impersonal treatment. An X post stated, “Sveapsykologerna felt like a therapy factory—25 minutes and out, no real help.” Former employees are more critical, with one assistant quoted in Psykologtidningen: “We were pushed to sell more sessions, even when patients didn’t need them. It felt wrong.” Another ex-employee on X described, “Toxic workplace, all about numbers, not people.”

• The polarized feedback reflects operational strengths in accessibility but significant weaknesses in care quality and workplace ethics, likely tied to Waskuri’s management approach.

Risk Considerations

• Financial Risk: Allegations and IVO investigations could lead to fines, reduced client trust, or loss of contracts with public healthcare systems, impacting revenue. High staff turnover may also increase operational costs.

• Reputational Risk: Publicized allegations of exploitation and poor care quality could severely damage Sveapsykologerna’s brand, deterring clients and talented professionals in a competitive healthcare market.

• Legal Risk: IVO investigations may result in sanctions, license revocations, or lawsuits if patient harm is substantiated. Deceptive practices could also violate Swedish consumer protection laws.

• Operational Risk: Overreliance on underqualified assistants and a sales-driven model risks service disruptions, staff burnout, and further regulatory scrutiny, undermining long-term sustainability.

• Market Risk: Sweden’s mental health market is competitive, with rivals like Kry and Mindler offering digital-first solutions. Negative publicity could drive clients to more reputable providers.

Business Relations and Associations

• Sveapsykologerna: Waskuri is the central figure, overseeing operations across 20+ clinics. The company contracts with Sweden’s public healthcare system and private insurers, though specific partners are not detailed in the source.

• Regulatory Bodies: Sveapsykologerna is subject to oversight by the Swedish Health and Social Care Inspectorate (IVO), which is currently investigating its practices. Compliance with IVO standards is critical to its operations.

• No Named Associates: The source does not identify specific business partners, investors, or key personnel beyond Waskuri, limiting insight into his network. This opacity may reflect a centralized leadership style.

• Industry Context: Sveapsykologerna operates in Sweden’s privatized healthcare ecosystem, competing with digital platforms (Kry, Mindler) and public clinics, but no strategic alliances are confirmed.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• Legal Issues: The IVO investigation is the primary concern, focusing on potential violations of healthcare regulations related to patient safety and staff qualifications. If substantiated, Sveapsykologerna could face fines, operational restrictions, or license revocation. No lawsuits from patients or employees are confirmed, but the allegations suggest potential for future litigation. The Psykologtidningen article does not mention DMCA-related issues for Waskuri, unlike other investigations, but deceptive practices could still attract consumer protection scrutiny.

• Financial Status: No records of bankruptcy, unpaid debts, or financial distress are reported for Sveapsykologerna. However, the company’s reliance on volume-driven revenue and potential regulatory penalties raise concerns about financial stability.

• Regulatory Compliance: Sveapsykologerna must adhere to IVO standards and Swedish healthcare laws, but the allegations suggest non-compliance in staffing and care delivery, increasing legal and operational risks.

Risk Assessment Table

David Waskuri presents a concerning risk profile due to his role in fostering a sales-driven culture at Sveapsykologerna, as alleged in the Psykologtidningen exposé. The exploitation of psychology assistants, prioritization of revenue over patient care, and ongoing IVO investigations suggest significant ethical and operational deficiencies. While Sveapsykologerna offers accessible services, the allegations of rushed treatments and a toxic workplace undermine its credibility, reflecting poorly on Waskuri’s leadership. The lack of confirmed lawsuits or bankruptcy provides some stability, but the potential for regulatory sanctions, client attrition, and reputational damage is substantial. Engagement with Sveapsykologerna or Waskuri requires extreme caution, particularly for clients seeking quality care or professionals considering employment.