Short-term psychotherapy (lyhytpsykoterapia)
A time-limited course of treatment given by a psychotherapist, usually up to about 20 sessions, for mild and moderate symptoms. Provided publicly in Finland as an own service or through a voucher.
Short-term psychotherapy (lyhytpsykoterapia) is a pre-defined course of treatment given by a licensed psychotherapist. There are usually up to about 20 sessions with a clear goal, such as relieving symptoms of depression or anxiety. It is the core treatment in the Finnish stepped-care model for mild and moderate disorders.
Where to get it
- Wellbeing services county or Helsinki: as an own service or through a service voucher, after an assessment of care needs. For people under 23 the therapy guarantee applies (treatment starts within 28 days).
- Occupational health: some employers include short-term psychotherapy or brief therapy in their occupational health plan.
- Privately: directly from a psychotherapist at your own cost.
How it differs
- Brief therapy (lyhytterapia): given by a brief therapist, who is not necessarily a Valvira-registered psychotherapist. In short-term psychotherapy the provider is always a psychotherapist.
- Kela rehabilitation psychotherapy: long-term (1–3 years, up to 80 sessions a year), requires a psychiatrist's B-statement and at least three months of prior treatment. Short-term psychotherapy is not a Kela product; it is a public or private course of treatment.