What is the difference between a psychotherapist and a psychologist?

A psychotherapist has completed separate psychotherapy training and provides long-term psychotherapy. A psychologist is a university-educated mental health professional whose work includes assessments, brief interventions, and counseling. Some psychologists are also psychotherapists.

Does Kela reimburse psychologist appointments?

There is no Kela reimbursement for a private psychologist visit. Kela rehabilitation psychotherapy is only available from a Kela-approved service provider. In occupational health care, psychologist visits are usually free for the employee; public health care fees vary by region.

Can a psychologist make a diagnosis?

A psychologist can conduct psychological assessments and tests (e.g., neuropsychological testing), but an official medical diagnosis is made by a doctor. However, psychologist assessment results are an important part of diagnostics, and doctors rely on them when making diagnoses.

Do I need a psychotherapist, or is a psychologist enough?

If you need long-term treatment (depression, anxiety, trauma) and want Kela rehabilitation psychotherapy, choose a psychotherapist. If you need an assessment, brief talk support, or neuropsychological testing, a psychologist is the right choice. You can also start with a psychologist and transition to a psychotherapist if needed.

What is the difference between a psychotherapist and a psychologist?

A psychotherapist has completed separate psychotherapy training and provides long-term psychotherapy. A psychologist is a university-educated mental health professional whose work includes assessments, brief interventions, and counseling. Some psychologists are also psychotherapists.

Does Kela reimburse psychologist appointments?

There is no Kela reimbursement for a private psychologist visit. Kela rehabilitation psychotherapy is only available from a Kela-approved service provider. In occupational health care, psychologist visits are usually free for the employee; public health care fees vary by region.

Can a psychologist make a diagnosis?

A psychologist can conduct psychological assessments and tests (e.g., neuropsychological testing), but an official medical diagnosis is made by a doctor. However, psychologist assessment results are an important part of diagnostics, and doctors rely on them when making diagnoses.

Do I need a psychotherapist, or is a psychologist enough?

If you need long-term treatment (depression, anxiety, trauma) and want Kela rehabilitation psychotherapy, choose a psychotherapist. If you need an assessment, brief talk support, or neuropsychological testing, a psychologist is the right choice. You can also start with a psychologist and transition to a psychotherapist if needed.

Psychotherapist vs psychologist – Which one is right for you?

Psychotherapists and psychologists are both mental health professionals, but their education, working methods, and services differ. Many people don't know which one to turn to. This guide clearly compares these professions so you can choose the right help for your situation.

Who is a psychotherapist?

A psychotherapist has completed separate psychotherapist training, which usually takes 3–4 years. The title is protected in Finland, and the right to use it is granted by the Finnish Supervisory Agency (Lupa- ja valvontavirasto, which took over Valvira's tasks on 1 Jan 2026). A psychotherapist's background may be in psychology, medicine, nursing or another profession. The work often focuses on a long-term therapeutic relationship within a specific framework (e.g. CBT, psychodynamic, integrative).

Who is a psychologist?

A psychologist has completed a master's degree in psychology. The psychologist title is a licensed professional title. Psychologists work in a wide range of settings: health centers, occupational health, schools, hospitals, and private practice. A psychologist's work may include assessments, brief interventions, neuropsychological testing, and counseling. Some psychologists are also psychotherapists if they have completed additional psychotherapy training.

Psychotherapist vs. psychologist – Comparison

Feature	Psychotherapist	Psychologist
Education	Psychotherapy training (3–4 yrs) + background degree	Master's degree in psychology
Title	Protected title (Finnish Supervisory Agency)	Licensed professional (Finnish Supervisory Agency)
Typical work	Long-term psychotherapy (CBT, psychodynamic, etc.)	Assessments, brief interventions, counseling, testing
Length of care	Often long-term	Often single visits or a short course
Price	Varies by therapist	Varies by service
Kela reimbursement	If Kela grants rehabilitation psychotherapy: individual €57.60/session	No Kela reimbursement for private visits; public-sector fees vary

When to choose which?

Choose a psychotherapist when you need a long-term, regular therapeutic relationship. Psychotherapy is used, for example, in treating depression, anxiety disorders, trauma and personality disorders. In Kela rehabilitation psychotherapy, the therapist must be a Kela-approved service provider.

Choose a psychologist when you need an assessment (e.g., neuropsychological testing, ADHD evaluation), brief support for a life situation, work capacity evaluation, or low-threshold talk support. Occupational health psychologist visits are often free.

Many professionals are both

Many psychologists have also completed psychotherapist training and work as both. You can check professional rights in the Finnish Supervisory Agency's JulkiTerhikki register (julkiterhikki.lvv.fi).

Costs and Kela reimbursement

Private psychotherapists' and psychologists' prices vary, so check the price in advance. If Kela grants rehabilitation psychotherapy, it reimburses €57.60 per individual session (kela.fi, 1 Oct 2026), and you pay the difference. There is no Kela reimbursement for a private psychologist visit. In occupational health care, psychologist visits are usually free for the employee; public health care fees vary by region.