OLGA BERG
The Road to Success Without Fear or Burnout
In a world where gadgets have replaced face-to-face connection and independence is often confused with isolation, the art of building deep, trusting relationships has become important for true happiness. Olga Berg is an integrative psychologist, bestselling author, creator of an innovative psychotherapeutic game, and architect of a thriving educational ecosystem—truly believes in this principle.
In her interview, Olga shows the keys to success, explores psychology’s vital role today, and explains how to unlock your inner potential to reach your goals without burning out along the way.
This profession has no limits.
TELEGRAM: olga_bergpsy
SITE: BERGINSTITUTE.RU
It’s often said that those who become psychologists have walked through their own fire. What’s your reason for being a psychologist?
Many enter psychology to save themselves or loved ones. That wasn’t my story.It all started in school. Girls bought magazines like Cosmo and Lisa to look at celebrity outfits and make up, I grabbed them just for the quizzes on the last page. I’d cut them out, hungry to discover something new about myself, my friends, the world. By graduation, I watched my mom reluctantly earn her third degree,this time in psychology,so I chose hospitality and tourism instead.But over the years, my interest of being a psychologist was getting stronger and stronger. I began attending workshops, group therapies, unraveling the threads. I realized that my job no longer inspires me. So I made a decision of becoming a psychologist.
Psychology is no longer just a trend—it's become a way of life.
The life of a psychologist is often isolating. So, I focus on creating connection at our institute—building a culture of trust, kindness, and collaboration. Here, growth happens without pressure or hierarchy, so every professional, regardless of experience, can evolve in their own way.
How did you build a large-scale psychology business? And how important are your side projects?Which takes priority?
What makes your approach different from other specialists?
I don’t consider my business ‘big’ to me, it’s more like professional art. I run an institute, an international alumni club, write books, create metaphorical cards and psychological games, and lead social projects. For a long time, I saw these endeavors simply as passions that gave me purpose. It took time to realize that I’m running a business. What matters is that everything we create is ethical, high-quality, and aligned with Russian law.
Right now, my priority is the institute,its reputation, and ensuring students feel supported while building their careers. Many come through some recommendations, which tells me we’re doing something right. We guide each student, step by step, toward launching private practices or advancing as professionals. I dream of a physical place where alumni can gather, too. And bigger plans? Breaking geographical barriers,so people worldwide can join us.
Another focus? (Spoiler!) A new book on psychological maturity. It’ll offer simple answers: What does it mean to be ‘grown up’? Where’s the joy in adulthood? How to navigate it without fear? Why do we sometimes stop?
Right now, my priority is the institute,its reputation, and ensuring students feel supported while building their careers. Many come through some recommendations, which tells me we’re doing something right. We guide each student, step by step, toward launching private practices or advancing as professionals. I dream of a physical place where alumni can gather, too. And bigger plans? Breaking geographical barriers,so people worldwide can join us.
Another focus? (Spoiler!) A new book on psychological maturity. It’ll offer simple answers: What does it mean to be ‘grown up’? Where’s the joy in adulthood? How to navigate it without fear? Why do we sometimes stop?
My method is a synthesis of multiple psychological disciplines: psychoanalysis, gestalt and cognitive therapies,psychodrama, and more. I deeply study various schools and techniques, analyze them, then combine and create the most effective tools to share with our institute's students.
But we go beyond just training and certification. We're building a big international community of psychologists. Through free support programs, in-person and online events, we create connections that continue long after the diploma.
But we go beyond just training and certification. We're building a big international community of psychologists. Through free support programs, in-person and online events, we create connections that continue long after the diploma.
The Psychology of Leadership: What Qualities Make a Leader? Can They Be Developed or Are They Innate?
What’s the role of therapy today? What do people seek for?
— Leaders are made, not born. Leaders are diverse. Some seek power to compensate for childhood trauma, while others strive for creation and creative self-realization. Modern leaders are no longer the rigid, emotionally oppressive bosses of the past but instead they are people who unlock their own potential and that of their team.
Key qualities of a leader are openness and resourcefulness.Openness means clarity of mind, personal integrity, and emotional intelligence. It’s the ability to tune into others’ wavelengths, stay flexible, embrace new opportunities and perspectives, and ask for or offer help when needed. Resourcefulness is the ability to creatively adapt to stressful situations, leveraging different strengths and resources to solve problems. It involves curiosity,a desire to learn more, gather information, and integrate it into one’s projects. A resourceful leader consults those who know more, experiments, makes mistakes, but instead of self-criticism, seeks new solutions. They take responsibility for their emotions and outcomes.
There’s an interesting thought: "Compassion without responsibility leads to a dead end. Responsibility without compassion pushes people away. The combination of both is the foundation of leadership."
"In my view, a modern leader is someone who can react emotionally, empathize and stay flexible,yet isn’t afraid of risk or responsibility and keeps his mind open.
Key qualities of a leader are openness and resourcefulness.Openness means clarity of mind, personal integrity, and emotional intelligence. It’s the ability to tune into others’ wavelengths, stay flexible, embrace new opportunities and perspectives, and ask for or offer help when needed. Resourcefulness is the ability to creatively adapt to stressful situations, leveraging different strengths and resources to solve problems. It involves curiosity,a desire to learn more, gather information, and integrate it into one’s projects. A resourceful leader consults those who know more, experiments, makes mistakes, but instead of self-criticism, seeks new solutions. They take responsibility for their emotions and outcomes.
There’s an interesting thought: "Compassion without responsibility leads to a dead end. Responsibility without compassion pushes people away. The combination of both is the foundation of leadership."
"In my view, a modern leader is someone who can react emotionally, empathize and stay flexible,yet isn’t afraid of risk or responsibility and keeps his mind open.
The fears of big money, success, and demand are irrational. We fear what hasn’t happened yet and prevent it from happening. The fear inside us is already about the end goal—the place we want to reach. We need to stop living in fantasies and embrace realism. Ask yourself: "How will this look in my reality?"Break the path to your goal into small steps and move at your own pace. At each stage, look back and analyze: "Am I comfortable? Do I feel safe? If not, what do I need right now?" It’s crucial to move gradually so you don’t burn out.
You’ve probably heard stories of people who launched huge businesses,factories, fleets—only to fall into depression instead of joy. This happens when a person needed support along the way but didn’t ask for it or didn’t take it, relying solely on their inner resources, which eventually ran out. It’s important to watch for this so that the money you earn brings you happiness.
You’ve probably heard stories of people who launched huge businesses,factories, fleets—only to fall into depression instead of joy. This happens when a person needed support along the way but didn’t ask for it or didn’t take it, relying solely on their inner resources, which eventually ran out. It’s important to watch for this so that the money you earn brings you happiness.
People stop halfway for various reasons. The first is burnout. Excessive enthusiasm can be destructive. It’s crucial to move forward mindfully, step by step, allowing yourself time to process the experience.
The second reason is a lack of novelty. Monotony drains motivation. There are many ways to reignite interest, for example, there is learning new things, meeting new people, taking on fresh projects, and so on.
The third is lack of support. No one can do it all alone. Everyone needs to be "held," praised, and heard at the right moments.
When it comes to motivation, it’s important to understand that it comes in two forms: "away from" and "toward." "Away from" is the drive to avoid discomfort—like dependence on others or feelings of worthlessness. It gets results but rarely brings fulfillment."Toward" is the desire to create, gain recognition, or discover new aspects of yourself. It’s more constructive and leads to meaningful growth.
The key is to identify your dominant motivation and use it to move forward, while never neglecting self-care along the way
The second reason is a lack of novelty. Monotony drains motivation. There are many ways to reignite interest, for example, there is learning new things, meeting new people, taking on fresh projects, and so on.
The third is lack of support. No one can do it all alone. Everyone needs to be "held," praised, and heard at the right moments.
When it comes to motivation, it’s important to understand that it comes in two forms: "away from" and "toward." "Away from" is the drive to avoid discomfort—like dependence on others or feelings of worthlessness. It gets results but rarely brings fulfillment."Toward" is the desire to create, gain recognition, or discover new aspects of yourself. It’s more constructive and leads to meaningful growth.
The key is to identify your dominant motivation and use it to move forward, while never neglecting self-care along the way
"I want to be the first" is often an escape from painful emotions. Ask yourself:
"Why do I really want this? What am I trying to prove or avoid?
"Why do I really want this? What am I trying to prove or avoid?
— Therapy has become a norm of modern life, it’s as essential as personal hygiene. People come with various concerns which are anxiety, depression and relationship issues. But one theme is universal which is loneliness. In the age of gadgets and online interactions, we’ve somehow unlearned how to connect with real people, avoiding intimacy. Today, self-sufficiency is glorified, as if we don’t need anyone. Yet needing others' love, support, connection—is perfectly human. Therapy helps us understand our emotions, manage stress, and build healthier relationships. Psychology is now in demand across nearly every field.
The Psychology of Sales becomes crucial when competition grows and purchasing power goes down. Businesses must learn how to engage their audience, choose the right marketing tools, and make people enjoy buying.
At our institute, we offer the "Parallel Psychology" program, which includes an MBA degree with a specialization in business psychology.
One key module focuses on organizational dynamics, helping leaders to understand their teams, manage effectively, unlock potential, foster collaboration and widen their companies, all while avoiding burnout and staying resilient. You can’t escape psychology.
At our institute, we offer the "Parallel Psychology" program, which includes an MBA degree with a specialization in business psychology.
One key module focuses on organizational dynamics, helping leaders to understand their teams, manage effectively, unlock potential, foster collaboration and widen their companies, all while avoiding burnout and staying resilient. You can’t escape psychology.
"Psychology is always about people. Any business boils down to a relationship between two individuals—the buyer and the seller."
No one is born a leader. Leadership is earned.
How can a person grow their income exponentially by using fears for good?
Why Do People Stop Halfway to Success? How to Find Motivation to Go All the Way?
Advice for Someone Who Wants to Be "The First" in Life
To win the competition, you must step out of it. Only then will you discover your authentic path—the one that truly makes you the first.
ТЕКСТ: НАДЕЖДА КВАСОВА
ФОТО: АЛЕКСАНДРА ЖУРНЯ