Ministry of Education, Helsinki Replies to the questionnaire on psychotherapists

A. Structure of the Profession

Question n°1.
The Finnish/Schwedish name of the profession is psykoterapeutti/psykoterapeut.

Question n°2.
The profession is regulated.

Question n°3.
According to Article 1 of the Decree concerning Health Care Professionals (564/94) the title of psykoterapeutti/ psykoterapeut is regulated. The activities of psychotherapist are not regulated. Persons with adequate training, experience and professional skills are entitled to engage in the activities of psychotherapist even if they have not been given the right to use the professional title. The right to use the professional title can be given to a person who fulfils the training requirements which are defined in Article 2 of the Decree concerning Health Care Professionals (See point B of the questionnaire). The right to use the professional title is achieved through two main training alternatives: special psychotherapy training and advanced special psychotherapy training.

Question n°4.
The psychotherapist is a professional who is specialised in the use of the methods of psychotherapy in the treatment of patients. The profession of a psychologist and a profession of a psychotherapist are separate professions.

Question n°5.
The psychotherapeutic treatment given by a psychiatrist or a doctor who is authorised to use the title of a psychotherapist is reimbursed under the social security scheme. A prescription of a psychiatrist is a prerequisite for the reimbursement of the treatment in all other cases.

Question n°6.
No professional body represents the whole profession. There are several professional associations: Suomen Lasten ja Nuorisopsykoterapiayhdistys ry, Suomen Mielenterveysseura ry, Suomen Nuorisopsykoterapiasaatio ry, Suomen Oppimisterapiayhdistys ry, Suomen Psykoanalyyttinen yhdistys ry, Suomen Ryhmapsykoterapiayhdistys ry and Therapeia.satio ry.

Question n°7.
The competent authority which grants the right to use the title of psykoterapeuttí/psykoterapeut is Terveydenhuollon oikeusturvakeskus (The National Board of Medicolegal Affairs).

B. Structure of Education and Training

Question n°1.
The National Board of Medicolegal Affairs can give the right to use the title of psychotherapist to a person who has completed one of the following training alternatives: special psychotherapy training, advanced special psychotherapy training or similar training (Decree 564194, Article 2).

Question n°2.
The training in psychotherapy is post.graduate training. The length of the special psychotherapy training is at least three years. The advanced special psychotherapy training takes 4 . 6 years.

Question n°3.
The training in psychotherapy is given by professional organisations, or in a few cases by universities. It is base.d on different psychotherapic theories. such as psychoanalysis or behavioural therapy. The training can focus on group psychotherapy, psychotherapy for children and adolescence., family psychotherapy or adult psychotherapy.

Entry requirement for the advanced psychotherapy training is a university degree (Master or equivalent for the special psychotherapy training a higher education degree (of at least 3 years duration) in an applicable field. Entrants to the advanced special psychotherapy training often have a degree or a specialists” degree in medicine or in psychology . There is an aptitude test for the applicants. Work experience within the heath care is a requirement. Previous experience within the field of psychotherapy might be required.

The training aims at independent work as psychotherapist and especially the advanced special psychotherapy training also to work as employee counsellor and teacher within the respective psychotherapeutic field. The training comprises theoretical studies, the trainees’ own psychotherapy and psychotherapeutic treatment of patients under the supervision of senior psychotherapists. According to Article 2 of the Decree concerning Health Care Professionals the special psychotherapy training involves at least 200 hours of theoretical education and adequate amount of employee counselling and personal psychotherapy. The amount of theoretical studies in the advanced special psychotherapy training is not defined in the legislation, but normally it is about 400 hours. The amount and methods of psychotherapeutic work varies depending on the psychotherapeutic field.