KELA/FPA's rehabilitative psychotherapy online and in-person in-person
AtKBTterapi.ax, we offer rehabilitative psychotherapy with a focus on CBT. We provide online psychotherapy to clients throughout Finland, from Kokkola in the north to Ekenäs and Helsinki in southern Finland. We also offer in-person sessions at our office in Mariehamn on Åland. The therapy is tailored to your needs and is provided in accordance with current guidelines for psychotherapy covered by FPA/KELA.
Rehabilitative psychotherapy is a form of therapy aimed at people whose ability to study or work is impaired due to mental health issues. The therapy may be covered by KELA and aims to improve functional capacity, prevent long-term sick leave, facilitate a return to work after an extended period of sick leave, or support progress in studies.
What is rehabilitative psychotherapy?
Rehabilitative psychotherapy is a goal-oriented psychotherapeutic treatment supported by FPA / KELA to improve daily functioning, work capacity, and mental well-being. A rehabilitative psychotherapy with a CBT focus involves structured work on thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, with a focus on concrete tools and change over time.
Who is eligible for Kela therapy?
If you are at least 16 years old, are registered as a resident in Finland, and have a valid B-certificate, you may be eligible for rehabilitative psychotherapy. You can obtain a B-certificate after having been in contact with a psychiatrist for at least three months. Psychiatrists in private practice can also issue a B statement for rehabilitative psychotherapy. You must submit the B statement to Kela along with your application KU131r – Rehabilitative Psychotherapy – Neuropsychological Rehabilitation.
To be eligible for rehabilitative psychotherapy through FPA / KELA, the following requirements must be met, among others:
a confirmed psychiatric diagnosis
a recommendation from the attending physician in a B report
Psychotherapy will support one's ability to study or work in the long term
I'd be happy to explain what the process involves and what's required to apply.
FPA/Kela Remote Therapy
Kela now allows you to participate in your rehabilitative psychotherapy online. This makes it possible for you to undergo treatment no matter where you live, and your therapy sessions can take place in your own living room or in your office during your lunch break.
Online therapy at KBT-terapi.ax is especially suitable for you if:
live in Helsinki or other parts of Finland and would like assistance in Swedish
want to avoid travel time
wants continuity and flexibility in your therapy
Here you can read more about digital rehabilitative psychotherapy
How does rehabilitative psychotherapy work?
Once you have been approved for a payment commitment from FPA / KELA, FPA therapy can begin. We will then plan your therapy based on your current needs and challenges. In CBT, we use research-based treatment methods for many psychiatric diagnoses. For example, we use:
Schema Therapy
ACT – Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (Acceptance Therapy)
DBT – Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Compassion-Focused Therapy
In KELA rehabilitation, we strive to listen as carefully as possible to your specific needs and use the methods best suited to your specific diagnoses.
How often do you see your therapist?
How often you meet with your therapist depends entirely on you and your needs. Your therapy is structured entirely according to your preferences and needs. At the beginning, it’s common to have regular sessions—for example, every week or every other week—but over time, the sessions become less frequent, and you’ll apply the techniques on your own in your daily life.
How long does a course of Kela therapy last?
You are entitled to KELA therapy for up to three years and a total of 200 sessions.Read more about the FPA's rehabilitative psychotherapy here.
What is expected of me as a client in rehabilitative psychotherapy?
As a client in rehabilitative psychotherapy, you are expected to be willing to work and think about solutions to your challenges.
What happens if I need to take a break from therapy?
In that case, contact Kela and let them know that you need to take a break from therapy and when you plan to resume it. Kela has rules regarding how long you’re entitled to take a break from therapy, so it’s always best to submit your notification through their own online system.
Psychotherapy for Swedish speakers from all over Finland
We offer psychotherapy to clients throughout Swedish-speaking Finland. Our in-person practice is located in Mariehamn on Åland, but we work remotely with clients from Nykarleby and Malax in the north to Turku and Lovisa in the south. We provide services in Swedish and English.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Yes, rehabilitative psychotherapy is the form of therapy that FPA/Kela reimburses in accordance with its guidelines.
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Yes, remote psychotherapy is approved and common, especially if you live in a major city or have trouble finding a Swedish-speaking psychotherapist where you live.
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Yes, KELA allows the therapy to be conducted remotely.
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No, Kela approves digital therapy, and in that case, geographic location doesn't matter.
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FPA / KELA has a maximum limit of 200 visits over a three-year period. FPA reimburses 57.60 euros per visit, and you pay the remaining portion yourself. If you are eligible for income support, your copayment is included in the income support, and you do not have to pay the cost yourself.
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To receive FPA therapy, you must be at least 16 years old, be registered as a resident in Finland, and have been in contact with a healthcare provider for at least three months. You can schedule a regular counseling session directly here (link), and you do not need a referral.
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Kela wants to support your ability to study or work in order to prevent long-term sick leave.
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Kela has agreements with psychotherapists specializing in various approaches. At KBTterapi.ax, we use cognitive behavioral therapy, which has a very strong evidence base for a wide range of psychiatric diagnoses.
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Fill out the form KU131r: Application for Rehabilitative Psychotherapy/Neuropsychological Rehabilitation
Please attach the B-statement from your treating physician. The statement must be no more than one year old.
Submit your application through the FPA's website or by mail.
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Yes, your treating physician needs to write a Medical Certificate B recommending the need for rehabilitation.
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After you submit your application along with the B statement from your treating physician, it usually takes the FPA about five to six weeks to reach a decision.
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Rehabilitation is granted for one year at a time. Before the second and third years, you’ll need a new B statement from your treating physician, a statement from your treating psychotherapist, and a new application to Kela.
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If your psychiatrist recommends FPA therapy and you meet the criteria set by the FPA, there is a high likelihood that your application will be approved. If it is denied, we will work with you to determine why it was denied and whether there are any other options for financial assistance.
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Yes! Online psychotherapy can even be more effective because you tend to stay focused on the main thread of the session even better than when you meet in person.
Changing Therapists & Choosing a Therapist
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We offer a free 30-minute initial consultation during which we’ll discuss how to structure the therapy to best suit your needs. BOOK HERE
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Yes, in that case, you'll need to contact Kela and let them know that you'd like to change therapists.
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Yes, in order to be eligible for a tax deduction for therapy, your therapist must be approved by the FPA. We are currently accepting new clients for FPA-approved therapy.
Petra L. Berg
Ab KBTterapi.ax
kbtterapi.ax(@)aland.net *
or secure email
+358 (0) 40 589 6163
Welcome to our place!
We're here to help!
Welcome! We're here to help!
Results & Expectations
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Your psychotherapy is designed to help you start feeling better and cope with your challenges so that it becomes easier to manage your studies and work.
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In CBT, we always assign homework tasks that may involve doing something you would normally avoid, for example. The more you work on your homework, the faster you’ll see results. Since rehabilitative psychotherapy allows you to receive tax deductions for your sessions for up to three years, you don’t need to feel stressed—instead, you can work on your challenges at your own pace.
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You are entitled to rehabilitative psychotherapy for a period of three years. After those three years, you are not entitled to KELA-funded therapy for five years. Once five years have passed since you last received rehabilitative psychotherapy, you are entitled to a new rehabilitation period.