COGNITIVE PSYCHOTHERAPIST TRAINING. Cross-disciplinary approach to psychotherapy - embracing multiculturalism and diversity (Helsinki 2027-2030)
Koulutuksen kuvaus
Description of training
COGNITIVE PSYCHOTHERAPIST TRAINING. Cross-disciplinary approach to psychotherapy - embracing multiculturalism and diversity begins in spring 2027.
The training is organized by the Psychotherapy Training and Research Centre of the University of Jyväskylä.
COGNITIVE PSYCHOTHERAPIST TRAINING. Cross-disciplinary approach to psychotherapy - embracing multiculturalism and diversity is a psychotherapist training programme referred to in Government Decree 1120/2010, which provides the competence required for working as a psychotherapist and enables applying for the right to use the professional title of psychotherapist. Competence is demonstrated by practical demonstrations. After completing the degree programme, the student is able to carry out psychotherapeutic treatment independently as part of the treatment and rehabilitation processes of mental health services.
This Cognitive Psychotherapist training curriculum is planned to be unique in several ways:
1. The English-speaking program allows foreign/English speaking students to study in their more familiar/own language, as well as Finnish students to work with English speaking clients.
2. The curriculum is based on Cognitive Psychotherapy theory and integrates several frameworks and approaches, such as Cognitive Analytic Theory, mentalization, schema therapy, sensorimotor therapy and creative and body work.
3. The program aims to bring the therapist training programs more to date by including current issues, such as multiculturalism, diversity, societal changes and crises worldwide.
Student selection
To be eligible to apply for psychotherapist training applicant must have a degree leading to a legalised health care profession. Suitable licensed health care professions are the professions of medical doctor, psychologist and nurse (specialization in psychiatry).
The application can be based on a foreign degree equivalent to the above-mentioned degrees. In special cases, based on the applicant's basic degree and work experience, another master's degree or a university of applied sciences degree in social and health care may also be considered a suitable qualification as a basis for application.
The degree applied for must include or be accompanied by a minimum of 30 ECTS credits of psychiatry and/or psychology. If the degree does not include 30 ECTS credits of studies in psychology or psychiatry, the applicant must have completed corresponding complementary studies. Those who have completed a bachelor's degree must always have completed these 30 ECTS credits of complementary studies.
A prerequisite for admission is at least two years of work experience in treating persons with mental health disorders acquired after completing the basic degree and before starting the psychotherapist education. The definition excludes more general interpersonal work (such as teaching, group guidance or parish work). Work experience does not include interruptions due to, for example, family reasons or leave of absence. Suitable work experience may have been accumulated over a longer period of time, for example, in part-time work. If the applicant's basic qualification is other than that of a doctor, psychologist or nurse, at least 12 months of the two year work experience must have been acquired in a public social welfare and/or health care organization or similar organization. The applicant must demonstrate that she/he has experience in the treatment of mental health disorders and knowledge of the public social and/or health care service system.
In addition, a prerequisite for student admission is a proven suitability for the profession of psychotherapist and the opportunity to work with adults or young people during their studies. If the student is not a healthcare professional, the psychotherapeutic work included in the training must be carried out under a health care or social welfare organization. Only a health care professional can work as a private practitioner in patient work during the training.
A prerequisite for student admission is a demonstrated language proficiency by a language test, a certificate or a maturity test in either Finnish or Swedish. The full list/different options for demonstrating language proficiency can be found here: https://lvv.fi/en/healthcare-and-social-welfare/sufficient-language-proficiency
The student must also have sufficient English language skills.
More information about student admissions can be found in the University of Jyväskylä's application guide for psychotherapist education.
Admission criteria
Eligibility requirements and admission criteria are outlined in the application guide for the psychotherapy training programme at the University of Jyväskylä. READ MORE HERE!
Content of the training program
You can read the content of the training programme here!
The application period
The application period for the training programme begins on 17 August 2026 and ends on 15 September at 3:00 pm.
Application brochure
The application brochure opens here!
Further information
Anne Jaskio
Expert (Administration), Psychotherapy Training and Research Centre
Head trainers:
Pauliina Juntunen
pauliina.juntunen@saunalahti.fi
Susann Thylin
Helena Santasalo
Hanne-Leona Luomajoki
leona.luomajoki@prosynthesis.fi
Application form
The application form (Finnish language) will open when the application period begins.
