Psychotherapist, family counselor, trainer
Iiris Koskinen
My education
- Therapy in sexuality, gender and diversity of relationships.
- Integrative individual psychotherapy
- Integrative trainer psychotherapist
- Family counseling
- Group psychoanalyst
- Clinical supervisor
- Expressive art therapist
- Masters in Theology
My areas of expertise as a psychotherapist
Good psychotherapy is based on trust, authenticity, and collaboration.
As a therapist, I am present and listen deeply, meeting my clients with respect and without hurry. Strong professional expertise is combined with a humane and supportive approach – even when life feels heavy or full of conflict.
During my long career, I have worked with very different clients and life situations – from depression to mania, from loneliness to relationship conflicts. All the most typical psychological disorders and so-called “standard psychotherapy work” are my strongest areas of expertise.
Through long experience, I have developed particular expertise in the following areas:
Intimate partner violence issues
I have worked in collaboration with Espoo’s LyömätönLinja with victims, perpetrators, and couples who experience violence in their relationships.
Questions of diversity in sexuality, gender, relationships, and sex (SGRS)
I view SGRS (sexuality, gender, relationships, and sex) matters as part of the whole of a person’s life. In my work I am sex-positive, and with me it is possible to talk about polyamory, kink and BDSM, as well as living with HIV-positive status. I am also happy to discuss sexuality and sex in aging, menopause, and questions related to desire.
For me, sex is either creative or formulaic. The most unusual kink can be entirely formulaic and distant, while the shyest vanilla can be creative and intimate. My aim is to help people achieve as rich and satisfying an erotic life as is possible for them.
Relationship issues are a common part of my work. I have worked as a family counselor for about 20 years, and viewing people as part of a network of relationships is natural for me. I work with couples on my own, but I meet with polycules together with a co-therapist.
If necessary, therapy can also include visits to carefully selected gynecologist Helena Creutz or psychiatrist, MD Tanja Svirskis.
Finances
Financial worries are, according to research, the greatest source of stress for people. I do not provide financial advice, but I understand the importance of financial issues in a person’s life and can discuss them as part of overall well-being.
Me as a therapist
As a therapist, I am warm, present, space giving, thoughtful, direct and open. I do not pressure or rush, instead moving at the client’s pace. When needed, I challenge the client’s thinking and share my own perspective. My work emphasizes conversation, but when the situation calls for it, I also use other methods such as homework, forms, or creative techniques. I strive to respect each individual’s individuality and to treat the whole person. I usually aim to look behind the symptoms at the causes and processes that generate them.
Psychotherapy
The work is based on an exchange of thoughts. Sessions can be done face-to-face or online. The client defines the topic, and at the beginning of the treatment, we set goals together.
I hope you feel free to talk about anything on your mind – including finances, sexuality, gender, or relationships. The work requires mutual trust and open interaction; in case of misunderstandings, I hope you will correct me.
If needed, other parties such as family members or authorities may be included by separate agreement. No form of violence or weapons is permitted in sessions. A confidential and safe atmosphere is the foundation of all our work.
Working
All meetings are confidential. I have a legal obligation to file a child protection report if I suspect that a child’s growth and development are at risk. In addition, I am required to report if I become aware of a serious crime being planned. By law, I must keep a record of my client’s personal details. Brief notes are made about eachsession. The client has the right to record the meetings if they wish. However, I hope you will discuss the recording with me.
The length of psychotherapy is defined during the first visit. Each session lasts 45 minutes.
Working method:
The work is carried out through conversation. However, if necessary, we can use artistic- and other functional methods. Sessions can take place either face-to-face or online. Normally the client defines what we talk about and begins with the topic of their choice.
At the start of therapy, we aim to set a goal or goals for the work. Think about what you would like to change as a result of the therapy. Be as concrete as you can and think about how you could notice that the change has taken place.
When we meet, I hope you can speak as freely as possible about everything that is on your mind. Bring up your own feelings and experiences.
Since I strive to understand what you share, there will be moments when I may misunderstand or interpret you wrong. I ask that you correct me in those situations; otherwise, our work may be derailed. I am accustomed to discussing issues related to finances, sexuality, sex, gender, and relationships as well.
All violence (mental or physical) is prohibited during sessions, and violations may lead to the termination of therapy or a change in the method. Weapons are not allowed in the office.
If needed, other parties involved in the problem – such as family members, children, relatives, friends, colleagues, or authorities – may be included in the work. If you would like to involve someone new in the process, we can discuss it together. The participation of a new person in the therapy requires a written agreement.
Therapeutic relationship:
A confidential and safe atmosphere is the cornerstone of psychotherapeutic work. It is important that you let me know in some way if you feel you cannot trust me, if I have hurt you, or if I have otherwise caused you discomfort. We can try to resolve the situation together.
My services
For couples
I have about 20 years of experience working as a family counselor. I meet couples in all kinds of situations.
My special areas of expertise in couple work are multicultural relationships, violence, and issues related to sex and sexuality.
For individuals
Short- and long-term psychotherapy. Available with Kela reimbursement, covered by insurance, or self-funded.
1–5 session consultations on a single topic.
1-time guidance session.
In long-term therapy, we address the whole of a person’s life to the extent the client wishes. In short-term therapy, the focus needs to be more specific and in consultations we concentrate only on one clearly defined topic.
Although all topics are possible in psychotherapy, my special areas of expertise are:
- Intimate partner violence
- Financial issues (I do not give financial advice, but I understand the significance of finances in people’s lives)
- Sex
- Sexuality
- Sexual orientation
- Gender
- Relationships
- Polyamory
- Separation and divorce
- Parenting questions when a child is “coming out”
- Living with HIV-positive status
- Desire and lack of desire
- Menopause
- BDSM and kink
- Sexuality of the aging person
- Loneliness
For people in polyamorous relationships
You can come alone or with one of your partners to discuss your situation. You are also welcome to come as a group, but in that case, I work together with a co-therapist. Co-therapy is effective and provides higher-quality therapy.
Trainings
I mainly provide training on questions related to sex, sexuality, gender and relationship diversity, as well as caregiving. As a trainer, I receive feedback above all about my expertise.
Supervision
I have provided supervision for about 20 years. My supervision work has broadly focused on supporting patient work, guiding change processes in work communities and individuals, special issues in intimate partner violence work, and supporting middle management. My approach is dialogical, explorative, and practical, and I strive to create a space where clients can examine their work safely, deeply, and in a developmental way.
My philosophy
My work is grounded in my beliefs about life.
Behind my work is an understanding of life that guides both my professional direction and my view of humanity.
I see life as an extraordinary phenomenon – in a vast, mostly cold and silent universe, life is a brightlight in the darkness. It is rare, miraculous, and irreplaceable. Every individual life is unique and valuable – existence itself is already a gift.
As a psychotherapist, my task is to support my clients so that they can be as free as possible to be themselves – to live their own kind of life as fully and as unburdened as possible. I want to achieve as much self-acceptance as possible with the smallest possible changes.
Often, however, I meet people with deeply rooted beliefs or habits that prevent them from living a life true to themselves. That is why I approach my work holistically – not merely alleviating symptoms, but striving to understand the person as a whole, through their experiences and life history.
Kela reimbursement
- Art therapy for youth and adults
- Individual therapy for adults
- Group therapy for adults
Each client applies for Kela reimbursement themselves, as well as for continued Kela funding. For this, the client must complete and send the application and provide Kela with the required doctor’s statement. It is advisable to book a doctor’s appointment about five weeks before the Kela funding period ends.
As a rule, I invoice the full cost of therapy directly from the client, who then applies for reimbursement with form KU 204. For unemployed clients, students, etc., other arrangements may be considered.
More information about applying for Kela reimbursement
The up-to-date text can be found on Kela’s website via this link.
Psychotherapy invoices
You will usually receive reimbursement for rehabilitation psychotherapy already at the time of the session. If you did not receive it, you can apply for reimbursement afterwards from Kela. To apply, proceed as follows:
- Save the completed Kuntoutuslasku KU 204 (pdf) to your device.
– Save the blank form to your device. Do not fill it directly in your browser, as some information may not be saved.
– Open the form in Adobe Reader and fill it out.
– Save the completed form to your device. It must be in pdf format.
– Log into OmaKela. Go to Submit an application(Tee hakemus.)
– Select Illness and rehabilitation(sairastaminen ja kuntoutus.)
– Select Rehabilitation (kuntoutus) – submit an application.
– Select Rehabilitation invoice (kuntoutuslasku.)
– Upload the rehabilitation invoice from your device and press Send.
- Send the attachments in OmaKela after you have submitted the rehabilitation invoice. If the attachments are on paper, you may take a photo or scan them.
– Go to Send attachment (lähetäliite.)
– Select the topic as rehabilitation (kuntoutus) and the attachment as rehabilitation invoice.
– Select the files from your device and press Send.
Alternatively, you can send the rehabilitation invoice by post:
Sign the application and post it with the attachments to Kela, PL 10, 00056 Kela.
In the online service you can see when your application has been processed and when the money will be in your account.
Billing
For long-term psychotherapy, I invoice my clients once a month. As a rule, the client applies for the Kela reimbursement themselves using form KU 204. A €7 office fee is added to the invoice.
For short-term therapy and consultations, payment is collected either at each session or otherwise as agreed separately.
The interview session is always paid either in cash or via MobilePay at the time of the interview.
Unpaid invoices are subject to enforcement and may result in treatment being discontinued until payments have been made.