Kela-Supported Psychotherapy in 2026: Everything You Need to Know

Psychotherapy is an effective treatment for many mental health challenges, but its costs can feel overwhelming. Kela rehabilitative psychotherapy makes therapy financially possible for thousands of Finns every year. In this article, we go through in detail how Kela support works in 2026.

What Is Kela Rehabilitative Psychotherapy?

Kela rehabilitative psychotherapy is financial support for psychotherapy that Kela grants to support or restore work or study capacity. It is not a healthcare reimbursement but a rehabilitation benefit intended to help you return to functioning.

Kela reimburses both individual and group psychotherapy. Reimbursable therapy forms include all Valvira-approved psychotherapy orientations, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, solution-focused therapy, and many others.

Kela Reimbursements in 2026

Kela's rehabilitative psychotherapy is available to people aged 16 to 67 whose ability to work or study is threatened by a mental health disorder. You must have been in appropriate care for at least 3 months, and a psychiatrist must have written you a B statement (B-lausunto). Kela covers up to 80 sessions per year and up to 200 sessions over three years. The reimbursement for individual therapy is 57.60 euros per session, and you pay the rest yourself. The therapist must be a Kela-approved provider, so check the therapist's eligibility in advance. Current conditions and reimbursement amounts are at kela.fi.

Reimbursement rates for family, couple, and group therapy differ from individual therapy. Check current amounts at kela.fi.

The therapist's fee is often higher than the reimbursement (80–120 euros), so the out-of-pocket cost is typically 20–65 euros per session. The reimbursement is paid directly to you or, depending on the arrangement, directly to the therapist.

Who Can Receive Kela Rehabilitative Psychotherapy?

The requirements for Kela rehabilitative psychotherapy are:

1. Age: 16–67 years old (youth rehabilitative psychotherapy for ages 16–25)
2. Diagnosis: You have a diagnosed mental health disorder that impairs your work or study capacity
3. Treatment relationship: You have been in appropriate psychiatric treatment for at least 3 months before applying
4. Medical certificate: You have a B-certificate written by a psychiatrist recommending psychotherapy
5. Work or study goal: The goal of therapy is to support your work or study capacity

It is important to note that a diagnosis alone is not enough. You must have been in psychiatric treatment first so the treating physician can assess the need for psychotherapy.

Application Process Step by Step

Step 1: Visit a doctor

Contact your health center, occupational healthcare, or a private doctor. Explain that you need an assessment of your mental health and potential psychotherapy needs.

Step 2: Psychiatric assessment

You receive a referral to a psychiatrist (or visit a private psychiatrist). The psychiatrist assesses your situation, sets a diagnosis, and writes a B-certificate. The certificate should include a recommendation for psychotherapy, the recommended therapy form, and duration.

Step 3: Find a therapist

Step 4: Apply to Kela

Fill out Kela's application form and attach the B-certificate. The application can be submitted electronically through Kela's online service. Processing time is usually 2–4 weeks.

Step 5: Start therapy

After Kela's decision, you can begin therapy. Kela typically grants support for one year at a time, renewable for up to three years total.

Tips for the Application Process

• Start early. Getting a psychiatrist's statement and finding a therapist can take weeks or months.
• You can start looking for a therapist before Kela's decision. Many therapists agree to begin treatment once the Kela application has been submitted.
• Ask the therapist about direct billing. Many therapists bill Kela directly, so you do not need to pay the full price yourself and wait for reimbursement.
• Keep records of all visits. You need them for Kela reimbursements.
• Changing therapists is possible. If the therapeutic relationship does not work, you can change therapists during the support period.

What If I Cannot Get Kela Support?

Kela rehabilitative psychotherapy is not granted to everyone. If you do not meet the requirements, there are other options:

• Through occupational healthcare: Many employers offer brief therapy
• Municipal mental health services: Therapy is also available in the public sector
• Health insurance: Some insurance companies reimburse psychotherapy
• Student healthcare: FSHS offers brief therapy for students
• Self-funding: Although the price is 80–120 euros per session, brief therapy can be an affordable option
• Supported services from organizations: For example, MIELI Mental Health Finland offers free crisis support

Frequently Asked Questions About Kela Therapy Support

Can Kela-supported therapy be received as remote therapy? Yes, remote therapy (online therapy) is reimbursable.

Can I freely choose the therapy language? Yes, you can attend therapy in Finnish, Swedish, or another language.

What if I cannot work or study? Kela can also grant rehabilitative psychotherapy to someone on disability pension if the goal is to return to working life.

How long does Kela support last? Kela rehabilitative psychotherapy is granted one year at a time, for a maximum of three years. In total, support can be received for up to 200 sessions over three years.

Kela-supported psychotherapy is a valuable opportunity that makes long-term therapy financially possible for many Finns. If you are considering seeking therapy, do not let costs scare you: first explore the possibility of Kela support. It can make therapy significantly more affordable than you think.

Where to find a therapist

You can look for a therapist in several places:

• Search services run by the Finnish Psychological Association (Psykologiliitto) and professional bodies.
• Kela's service provider search, if you are applying for rehabilitative psychotherapy (only Kela-approved therapists qualify for reimbursement).
• The Valitse Terapia service and other directories.
• Your own health centre, occupational health service or student health service (YTHS), which can refer you onward.

You can contact several therapists and see with whom the collaboration feels natural.

Sources

• Kela: Rehabilitative psychotherapy
• Kela: How to apply for rehabilitative psychotherapy
• Valvira: JulkiTerhikki register of licensed professionals
• Mielenterveystalo (Mental Health Hub)