The current state of rehabilitative psychotherapy was investigated − Finland’s system is exceptional

Finnish Institute of Occupational Health press release 4 October 2024  

Kela’s rehabilitation psychotherapy aims to support individuals in maintaining their ability to work and study. However, there are differences among various demographic groups in terms of access to, utilization of, and benefits from rehabilitative psychotherapy. Highly educated individuals, women, younger age groups and students are typically more likely to use rehabilitative psychotherapy.  

The study, funded by Kela, compiled data from statistics, registries, and research to assess the current usage of rehabilitation psychotherapy. Statutory rehabilitative psychotherapy is Kela’s most common form of rehabilitation. It aims to support the ability to work and study if they are at risk due to a mental health disorder.  

In Finland, the duration of rehabilitative psychotherapy is similar across different therapeutic approaches.  

"This means that therapies that are typically intended to be short-term are also provided as long-term therapies. The duration seems to be more aligned with the funding framework than the typical length associated with a particular therapeutic approach," says Sanna Selinheimo, Chief Researcher at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.  

No comparable system elsewhere  

The survey examined the role of psychotherapy in public health care in the other Nordic countries, Germany and the UK.  

The provision of psychotherapy varies significantly between countries. In Finland, the training of psychotherapists is more strictly regulated than in many other countries, which generally do not have a publicly funded long-term, rehabilitative psychotherapy system. Publicly funded treatments are typically shorter in other countries. In addition, psychotherapy provided separately from other health services, as in Finland, is an exception.  

"In Finland, the training system for psychotherapists is specified in detail. This contributes to patient safety, but on the other hand, one could question whether it limits meaningful mental health work. However, we did not investigate how the practice affects psychotherapy's availability or effectiveness," says Sanna Selinheimo.  

In publicly funded psychotherapy, patients in Finland face higher out-of-pocket costs than in the countries studied. However, significant differences in the organisation of healthcare and mental health services make comparisons challenging.  

Mental health services are a human rights issue  

The study identified areas for improvement with regard to referral to rehabilitative psychotherapy, its provision and monitoring. The assessment of the effects of rehabilitative psychotherapy on the client should be improved systematically as part of the process and the efficiency of other workability support measures should be investigated. The study also emphasises the need for promoting equality between different population groups. Access to high-quality, non-discriminatory and affordable mental health services is a human right.  

"A human rights-based approach requires consideration of individual differences and experiences, as well as strengthening self-determination and social inclusion. These factors should be considered in the development of Kela-supported rehabilitation psychotherapy," Sanna Selinheimo adds.  

In future, it would also be important to assess the effects of rehabilitative psychotherapy on the use of other health services and its integration with other mental health support measures.  

The report is part of the rehabilitative psychotherapy development project (in Finnish), which produces information to support the development of rehabilitative psychotherapy and develops Kela’s service provider search for rehabilitative psychotherapy.  

See also

• Report (in Finnish): Kuntoutuspsykoterapian toteutuminen  
• Learn more on the project page.  
• The presentations of the report’s publication seminar will be available as recordings on Kela’s website within two weeks
  
  

Further information  

• Chief Researcher Sanna Selinheimo, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, tel. +358 43 825 0397, sanna.selinheimo@ttl.fi  
• Benefits Manager Seija Sukula, Kela, tel. +358 20 634 1747, seija.sukula@kela.fi