About behavioral problems
Tantrums, defiance or aggressive behaviour that are frequent and intense can strain family life. Interventions usually involve the parents, with practical strategies for routines, limits and communication, and work with the child adapted to their age.
Therapist is the everyday word for a professional who offers talking therapy: depending on the country it can be a psychologist, a psychotherapist, a licensed counsellor, a marriage and family therapist or a clinical social worker. Profiles show each therapist’s actual title, training and registration.
Getting mental health care in Finland
Public health system · Public health services of the wellbeing services counties, with Kela reimbursement
Public mental health care is organised by the wellbeing services counties and is usually accessed through primary health care. Kela, the Social Insurance Institution, separately reimburses rehabilitative psychotherapy for people aged 16 to 67 whose ability to work or study is threatened by a mental disorder. An application needs a psychiatrist's statement that is no more than one year old. More information
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Finnish Supervisory Agency (Lupa- ja valvontavirasto), which replaced Valvira on 1 January 2026. Psychologist is a licensed health profession and psychotherapist is a separately protected occupational title. Check that the person is listed in the public JulkiTerhikki register of health care professionals. Search the official register
- Finnish Supervisory Agency (Lupa- ja valvontavirasto). Doctors, including specialists in psychiatry, are licensed health care professionals. You can check their right to practise in the JulkiTerhikki register. Search the official register
Insurance and coverage
Kela pays up to 57.60 EUR per individual rehabilitative psychotherapy session. Cover is for up to 80 sessions a year and 200 sessions in total, over a maximum of 3 years, and Kela decides one year at a time.
Urgent help in Finland
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 112 · Emergencias
- 09 2525 0111 · MIELI Kriisipuhelin
- 09 2525 0112 · MIELI Kristelefon
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: kela.fi, valtioneuvosto.fi
Signs to look out for
All children test limits and have tantrums at times. It may be worth seeking help when defiance, aggression, intense tantrums, lying, breaking rules or destructive behaviour are frequent, last for months, happen in several settings such as home and school, and cause problems with family life, learning or friendships. Sudden changes in behaviour can also signal stress, anxiety or difficulties elsewhere.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Parent training programmes based on behavioural principles have strong evidence for children’s behaviour problems. Family therapy and cognitive-behavioural approaches for the child or teenager, including emotional regulation and problem-solving skills, also help. Child and adolescent psychologists, clinical psychologists, family therapists and educational psychologists usually lead the work. An assessment can identify contributing factors such as ADHD, learning difficulties or anxiety.
When to seek urgent help
Contact your local emergency services if a child or teenager is seriously hurting themselves or others, has a weapon, is missing, or talks about suicide. Seek urgent help too if you suspect drug use with signs of intoxication. If you feel you might lose control and harm your child, step away safely and seek support immediately; asking for help is responsible.
What you can do in the meantime
Notice and praise specific good behaviour, and spend a little one-to-one time each day doing something your child enjoys. Keep rules few, clear and consistent between adults, with calm, predictable consequences. Avoid shouting and physical punishment, which tend to worsen behaviour. Look after your own stress and sleep, and talk to the school to work together.
What does a therapist do?
A therapist helps you talk through what is worrying you and find practical ways to feel and cope better. In sessions they listen, ask questions, help you notice patterns in your thoughts, emotions and relationships, and agree goals with you. Depending on their training they may use cognitive-behavioural, humanistic, systemic, psychodynamic or other evidence-based approaches, with individuals, couples, families or groups.
When to see a therapist
It makes sense to look for a therapist when stress, anxiety, low mood, grief, relationship problems, a difficult change or the effects of past experiences start to weigh on your daily life, or when you simply want space to understand yourself better. If symptoms are severe, you may need medication or there are signs of a medical cause, involve your doctor or a psychiatrist as well.
How to choose
When choosing, check the licence and training, the approach they use and whether they have experience with what you need. Consider practical aspects too: language, price, location or online sessions and availability. The relationship with the professional matters a great deal; if after a few sessions it does not feel right, it is fine to change.
Frequently asked questions
Does the public health system in Finland cover psychological care?
Public mental health care is organised by the wellbeing services counties and is usually accessed through primary health care. Kela, the Social Insurance Institution, separately reimburses rehabilitative psychotherapy for people aged 16 to 67 whose ability to work or study is threatened by a mental disorder. An application needs a psychiatrist's statement that is no more than one year old.
How do I check that a therapist is licensed in Finland?
Finnish Supervisory Agency (Lupa- ja valvontavirasto), which replaced Valvira on 1 January 2026: Psychologist is a licensed health profession and psychotherapist is a separately protected occupational title. Check that the person is listed in the public JulkiTerhikki register of health care professionals.