Study psychologist and university chaplain

Published 30.5.2022 | Updated 10.10.2024

Uniarts Helsinki’s study psychologists

The study psychologist supports the learning, studies and student wellbeing of degree and exchange students.  

The study psychologist is a licensed psychologist. At the university, the study psychologist works in the interface between study counselling and mental health work. The purpose of the work is to support and promote student learning, studies and wellbeing.  

The study psychologist works at both the individual and community level: For students, the study psychologist provides counselling for individuals and, if possible, for groups. The study psychologist supports staff guidance duties by providing training and consultation support. The study psychologist also works with the development of multidisciplinary student wellbeing in cooperation with Uniarts Helsinki staff and partners outside the university.  

Common topics addressed at the study psychologist’s office include challenges related to the successful completion of studies, coping, tension, motivation, time management, accomplishment, learning difficulties, artistic identity, graduation and working life.  

Before contacting us, you can familiarize yourself with the self-study material on studying and well-being compiled by study psychologists. You can find it here:

How do I book an appointment with the study psychologist?

Sanna Vuorinen and Volkan Topal (Outi Rämö’s substitute during family leave) are the study psychologist at Uniarts Helsinki.

Send an SMS: “Appointment + your first and last name” to +358 (0)50 526 3617.  

Study psychologist will call you as soon as a time for individual counselling becomes available (no later than two weeks after being contacted) and agree on a session.  

If you cannot make the session, please cancel or postpone your appointment well in advance so that it will be available to someone else who needs it. Appointments which have not been cancelled are counted as completed counselling sessions.  

Reception and remote counselling sessions

The study psychologist receives students on the Töölö campus at Nervanderinkatu 13, 5th floor (N-530) and on the Sörnäinen campus at Haapaniemenkatu 6, 5th floor (KO-501).  

Remote counselling sessions are held using the secure Nordhealth Connect video call functionality. When arriving for remote individual counselling session, make sure that your browser updates are up to date. It is also important that you find a quiet place for your remote session. It should have sufficient sound insulation and be in a place where you can be alone. Using headphones improves sound quality. More detailed instructions on how to use the video call you will get from the study psychologist.  

Visits to the study psychologist are confidential, voluntary and free of charge. The length of a session is 45-60 minutes. Students may have 1-5 sessions an academic year depending on the need.   

If necessary, the study psychologist will refer the student for other/further support.  

Urgent mental health matters

In urgent mental health matters that require treatment, please contact the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) (tel. + 358 (0)46 710 1073) or the health centre.  Mental health services and other support can be found at the links below:

Students in youth educations, Kuopio and Seinäjoki

Youth education and students with a seperate right to study

The study psychologist services at Uniarts Helsinki do not apply to students in youth education whose corresponding support provider can be found in their main place of study, such as student welfare in general upper secondary schools. Other students with a separate right to study are also excluded from the scope of the service. 

Church music degree students at Sibelius Academy in Kuopio

The study psychologists Outi Rämö and Sanna Vuorinen also serve the church music students at Sibelius Academy in Kuopio. Outi’s substitute during family leave is Volkan Topal. Note, that appointments are held remotely. Please, check the instructions for booking appointment under “How do I book an appointment with the study psychologist?“

Cultural study of music degree students at Sibelius Academy in Seinäjoki 

The study psychologists Outi Rämö and Sanna Vuorinen also serve the students of cultural study of music at Sibelius Academy in Seinäjoki. Outi’s substitute during family leave is Volkan Topal. Note, that appointments are held remotely. Please, check the instructions for booking appointment under “How do I book an appointment with the study psychologist?“

Privacy measures

Secure privacy measures are taken in all study psychologist activities at Uniarts Helsinki. More detailed information can be found in the privacy statement.

Individual study arrangements

If you have a challenge, disability or obstacle affecting the completion of your studies, you may be granted individual study arrangements to help you progress your studies. More information on individual study arrangements and how to apply them can be found at the link below:

Support and services related to learning challenges are also offered by The Rehabilitation Foundation.

Study psychologist services for staff

The study psychologist cooperates with Uniarts Helsinki staff in matters related to student learning, studies and wellbeing. The study psychologist offers training and consultation related to the above-mentioned topics and participates in multidisciplinary development work related to student wellbeing.  

Please contact us well in advance about organizing various events. When contacting the study psychologist, including the information below will help them respond as quickly as possible and assess the opportunity for participation in the event:  

• What/what kind of event is involved?  
• What is the target group of the event?  
• What is the purpose of the event?  
• When will the event be held? (If the event will be held between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. it is more likely that we will be able to participate.)  
• Where will the event be held?  
• In what language will the event be held?  

University chaplain for Helsinki campuses

The Uniarts Helsinki chaplain is available to everyone, both students and staff. In the chaplain’s office, you can discuss everything between heaven and earth. The most common topics of discussion are related to coping, life situation, interpersonal and relationship problems as well as different mental and spiritual issues.  

The university chaplain serves as a kind of companion when struggling with questions about life as well as a shoulder to lean on in the process of becoming an artist. If necessary, you can also discuss theological and philosophical topics as well as various matters related to making a living, community and multiculturalism with the university chaplain.  

You can contact the chaplain regardless of your beliefs, convictions or whether you are a member of the church or not. Conversations are confidential and take place with respect for your convictions, whatever they may be.  

How do I book an appointment with the university chaplain?

In Helsinki, Lisa Enckell serves as the chaplain for Uniarts Helsinki  
+358 (0)50 533 1562  
lisa.enckell@evl.fi  
IG: UniArts_pappi_Lisa  

The priest works full-time on both campuses of the university. In-person meetings can be arranged either on the campuses or outside the university. Video conversations are also possible. It is a good idea to book a discussion appointment (45-60 min.) by email. You can also give the chaplain a call or just tug their sleeve.  

P.S. I am also available for christenings, funerals, weddings and consecrations of civil unions (including same-sex couples) as well as home blessings. I am the chaplain for both students and staff.  

Appoitment times and places on Sörnäinen and Töölö Campuses

• On Tuesdays from 1 pm to 5.30 pm at Kookos building, Silent room KO-506, 5th floor, Haapaniemenkatu 6
• On Wednesdays from 1 pm to 4.30 pm at Music Centre, room S4107, 4th floor, Töölönlahdenkatu 16
• On Thursdays from 1 pm to 5.30 pm at N-Building, Silent room N134, 1st floor, Nervanderinkatu 13

The university chaplain also provides support to staff

The university chaplain supports staff with their guidance and teaching duties by providing training and consultation support in cooperation with other wellbeing actors. The university chaplain also works with the development of multidisciplinary student wellbeing in cooperation with Uniarts Helsinki staff and partners outside the university.   

University chaplain at the Kuopio campus

Satu Karjalainen, the university chaplain for the Kuopio campus of Sibelius Academy, is also available for discussions. Contact information: satu.karjalainen@evl.fi tel. 040 484 8276

University chaplain at the Seinäjoki campus

The university chaplain for Seinäjoki campus is Aila Jaakkola. Contact information: tel. 044 580 6651 (phone calls or Whatsapp contact requests), aila.jaakkola@seamk.fi. Office Frami A, 310.8 (Kampusranta 9), Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences