What is psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is an independent, scientifically grounded profession and clinical practice within the mental health field, aimed at relieving emotional, psychological, psychosomatic, relational and behavioural difficulties, including persistent or developmentally rooted ones.
Psychotherapy is a dynamic, holistic, relationship-centred process built on the therapeutic alliance and guided by the person’s goals, values and social context. Its aim is not only to reduce suffering, but also to strengthen the person’s psychological resources, support the functioning of the personality and improve long-term quality of life.
Psychotherapy encompasses psychodynamic, humanistic, systemic, cognitive-behavioural and integrative approaches, and is characterised by depth, wholeness and clinical responsibility in addressing complex and long-standing difficulties.
A psychotherapist is a mental health professional whose training meets the recognised requirements of the international umbrella organisation of their psychotherapy modality and of the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP) or the EuroPsy psychotherapy specialisation.
Who is a psychotherapist?
A psychotherapist is a specialist whose training meets the recognised requirements of the international umbrella organisation of their psychotherapy modality and of the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP) or the EuroPsy psychotherapy specialisation, and who applies their professional knowledge and skills in professional psychotherapy practice.
Psychotherapy is an evidence-based, clinically responsible and person-centred process that supports a person’s coping, growth and well-being.
Core components of psychotherapy
Scientific foundation
Grounded in contemporary knowledge, reliable research and theories explaining how the psyche works (cognitive-behavioural, psychodynamic, systemic and others).
Professional clinical experience
Practical experience gained through professional work in applying intervention methods and ways of relating, reflecting on outcomes and taking context into account.
The client’s individuality
Taking into account the client’s specific characteristics — personality, developmental history, values, life story, preferences, possibilities and cultural background.
The helping relationship
A therapeutic relationship within a structured collaborative alliance, where trust, a sense of safety and willingness to cooperate play a key role.
Professional and ethical framework
The psychotherapist follows professional ethics and the standards set by their modality or professional organisation.
Supervision and self-development
Regular and structured professional development that maintains professional quality and self-awareness.
Forms of psychotherapy
Individual psychotherapy
One-to-one work with a therapist.
Couple and family therapy
Work with relationship dynamics and systemic patterns within the family.
Group psychotherapy
A collaborative process led by a psychotherapist, in which clients also influence one another in a healing and supportive way.
Psychotherapy in a group
Applying psychotherapy methods in a group where group relationships are not the focus of the intervention.
Qualification requirements for a psychotherapist
A psychotherapist’s competence is based on relevant higher education, modality-specific training, supervised practical work, continuous professional development and adherence to ethical standards.
- 1
Foundational professional education
Knowledge of human development, how the psyche works, mental health and the basics of providing professional help.
- 2
Modality-specific training
Systematic acquisition of a recognised psychotherapy theory, methodology and practical skills.
- 3
Theoretical training: at least 400 contact hours
How the psyche works, human development, relationships, psychopathology, psychological assessment and psychotherapy theories.
- 4
Supervised practical training: at least 500 contact hours
Client work, experiential skills training and other supervised practical learning.
- 5
Supervision: at least 150 hours
Supports professional development, reflection and quality practice.
- 6
Personal professional development: at least 250 hours
Personal therapy, experiential learning or other forms that develop self-awareness.
- 7
Ethical and professional competence
Following professional ethics, working within the limits of one’s competence, continuous self-development, cooperation with other mental health professionals.
Psychotherapists may be mental health professionals with varied professional backgrounds and prior education (including psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers), provided they meet the required educational prerequisites and recognised quality standards.
Estonian Association for Psychotherapy (EPTA)
The Estonian Association for Psychotherapy is a non-profit organisation founded in 2010 that promotes high-quality psychotherapy meeting international standards in Estonia. EPTA is a recognised umbrella organisation (National Awarding Organization) of the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP).
Mission: to contribute to the development of a unified, high-quality and internationally recognised field of psychotherapy in Estonia that supports people’s mental health and values psychotherapy as an independent profession.
Frequently asked questions
What is psychotherapy?
Who is a psychotherapist?
How does a psychotherapist differ from a psychologist?
What are the forms of psychotherapy?
How do I find a suitable psychotherapist?
Sources
- European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP)
- ESCO — psychotherapist (code 2634.2.4)
- Estonian Association for Psychotherapy
*) The definition of psychotherapy draws on the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP) 2026 definition and the principles of the Strasbourg Declaration on Psychotherapy (1990). It is consistent with the aims of the World Health Organization (WHO), the principle of non-discrimination applicable within the European Union (EU) framework and the European Economic Area (EEA), and the principles of free movement of persons and services.