Psychotherapy usage surges in Finland as mental health support grows

The popularity of psychotherapy has significantly increased over the past decade in Finland. In 2014, approximately 20,000 individuals accessed rehabilitation psychotherapy supported by Kela, Finland’s social insurance institution. By 2023, this number had risen to 64,511. According to the Finnish Mental Health Association, the primary goal of psychotherapy is to alleviate mental health challenges and associated suffering.

During psychotherapy sessions, individuals have the opportunity to discuss issues that led them to seek help, either one-on-one with a psychotherapist or in a group setting. We are currently exploring how attending psychotherapy can influence personal relationships.

We invite you to share your experiences. We are collecting stories from people to contribute to this piece and seeking potential interviewees. Responses can be submitted through a provided form or by directly contacting the reporter via email.

Have you noticed any changes in your relationships with parents or other close individuals due to psychotherapy? If so, we would like to hear whether these changes have been positive or negative. Additionally, when did you notice these changes occurred—during therapy or afterward? Have you taken any steps to address these changes? Would you be open to a follow-up interview to discuss this topic further?

Please include your name and contact information; rest assured that responses will be kept confidential and will only be used for this article.