Sigurður Smári takes charge of Hlaðgerðarkot treatment centre

Sigurður Smári Fossdal has been appointed director of Hlaðgerðarkot, a treatment centre in Mosfellsdal, mbl.is reports. He succeeds Signý Guðbjartsdóttir, who led the centre for the past two years.

Fossdal has worked at Hlaðgerðarkot since October 2015, including as a counsellor and supervisor. Since 2021, he has also served as programme director while continuing his counselling work.

“I am grateful for the trust that has been placed in me,” Fossdal said in a statement from Samhjálp.

He has completed undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the Icelandic School of Counselling, as well as two diploma programmes in alcohol and drug counselling. Last December, he completed 300 hours of addiction counselling studies through SÁÁ.

Fossdal said his work at Hlaðgerðarkot had been a major part of his life for the past 11 years. Seeing people find new hope and take steps towards changing their lives was among the reasons he had stayed, he said.

He said he was optimistic about the future and would focus on supporting the work already established, backing his colleagues and developing services around clients’ needs.