Study Psychologists

• Coping with stress -webinar / Study Psychologist Pauliina Junnikkala. How to cope with stress?
• Study skills -webinar / Study Psychologist Kiia Kilponen. In the webinar you will learn more e.g. from time management, study techniques and learning together.

Conversations with study psychologists are confidential and usually take around 45 minutes. At the first appointment you will agree on further appointments (in case they are needed) and on objectives for the counselling process. The objectives could be some of the following: conceptualizing your situation, developing study skills, enhancing individual agency, and discovering new ways of thinking and acting.

Study psychologists offer help with study-related issues, whereas FSHS (Finnish Student Health Service) psychologists deal with mental health issues. Study psychologists are university employees, whereas FSHS psychologists work in public healthcare. Study psychologist appointments usually occur infrequently, in contrast to the more frequent support offered by FSHS psychologists.

Yes you can, as study psychologist services are available for all students, including postgraduate students and exchange students. Please note that you may need to queue to get an appointment, which means you might not make it during a short-term exchange program.

Individual appointment in the best option when you need one-on-one counselling. Groups and workshops offer the advantage of getting peer support from fellow students. Peer support may help you realize that you are not alone with your problems. Other students may also give you ideas about solving your problems. Groups and workshops are designed so that you can be yourself and participate in conversations in a way that suits you. Groups run for a longer period of time than individual appointments; that is why group participants don’t usually have individual appointments at the same time.

Study psychologist counselling is in high demand, and there is a limited number of appointments available; you will thus have to queue to get an appointment. Queuing usually takes approximately one month, but the situation may vary during the academic year.

Couselling related to career and choosing your field of study is provided by university career counsellors at the Career Centre.

Your tutor teacher or Academic Affairs Service Team staff will assist you with issues such as designing your personal study plan (PSP) or choosing courses and minor subjects.

Study psychologists don’t conduct diagnostic assessments. Diagnostics and treatment always take place in healthcare settings; for diagnostics and treatment you may contact FSHS (Finnish Student Health Service). However, study psychologists can help you find out how to facilitate your studies or what kind of study techniques suit you best.

Study psychologist counselling will benefit you most when you are able to advance your studies, at least to some extent. If, for example, there are no resources for studying due to mental health issues, it is not relevant to see a study psychologist at that moment. Instead, you should contact FSHS (Finnish Student Health Service).

Study psychologists may arrange events and give lectures and speeches on topics related to studying and supporting studying. Please note that study psychologists’ calendars tend to be fully booked several months ahead; that is why you should contact them well in advance, so that there is enough time for preparing.