Tommy Hellsten

“Courage to surrender.”

in English

Our ideology

Our ideology can be summarised in one sentence: “In order for me to be able to truly encounter another person, I must face myself and confront my shadow.”

Tommy Hellsten’s book

If you seek safety, live dangerously. Read more about profound truths to discover a more fulfilling experience of life itself. Tommy Hellsten: Courage to Surrender – 8 Contradictions on the Spiritual Path.

Our story

“Through my own experiences I want to encourage others to believe that it is possible to be set free from one’s past and be born as oneself to live one’s own life!” – Tommy Hellsten

Our therapists who serve in english


  • Veli-Matti Anttila

    City
    online therapy, Turku
    Language
    English, Finnish
  • Jukka Erätuli

    Process Communication Model -Coach
    City
    Helsinki
    Language
    English, Finnish
  • Olivia Fränti

    City
    Helsinki
    Language
    English, Finnish
  • Aku Hentilä

    City
    Helsinki
    Language
    English, Finnish
    Book an appointment
    +358 (0)50 584 4099 or aku@mindfaculty.fi
  • Ruusa Hentilä

    City
    Helsinki, Lahti
    Language
    English, Estonian, Finnish
  • Ulla Hukka

    City
    online therapy, Raasepori (Karjaa)
    Language
    English, Finnish
  • Reeta Itävirta

    City
    Helsinki
    Language
    English, Finnish
  • Taina Junttila

    City
    online therapy, Oulu
    Language
    Finnish, German
  • Marjo Juutilainen

    City
    Hämeenlinna, Hattula, online therapy
    Language
    English, Finnish
  • Maria Kalaniemi

    City
    Espoo, Helsinki, online therapy
    Language
    English, Finnish, Swedish
  • Sami Kangas

    City
    Helsinki
    Language
    English, Finnish, Swedish
  • Linda Larsen

    City
    Helsinki, Porvoo
    Language
    English, Finnish, Swedish
  • Nanna Lehtiniemi

    City
    Espoo, online therapy
    Language
    English, Finnish
    Book an appointment
    nanna@healing.fi
  • Heidi Masalin

    City
    Hämeenlinna, Helsinki, online therapy
    Language
    English, Finnish
  • Siiri McDonagh

    City
    Kotka, online therapy
    Language
    English, Finnish
    Book an appointment
    siiri.mcdonagh@gmail.com
  • Niina Mustonen

    City
    Helsinki
    Language
    English, Finnish, Italy
  • Henrik Nymalm

    City
    Helsinki, Porvoo
    Language
    Finnish, Swedish
    Book an appointment
    +358 (0)40 051 2643 or h.nymalm@gmail.com
  • Tanja Onduto

    City
    online therapy, Turku
    Language
    English, Finnish, Russian
  • Laura Petterson

    City
    Helsinki
    Language
    English, Finnish
  • Sirpa Sallanko

    City
    Etävastaanotto, Oulu
    Language
    English, Finnish
  • Hannele Snickars

    City
    Helsinki
    Language
    English, Finnish, Swedish
  • Tuulia Syvänen

    City
    Helsinki, online therapy, Vantaa
    Language
    English, Finnish
  • Jaana Toikkanen

    City
    Helsinki, online therapy
    Language
    English, Finnish
  • Anton Tulikoura

    City
    Helsinki, Porvoo
    Language
    English, Finnish, Swedish
  • Tarja Vasiza

    City
    Lohja, online therapy
    Language
    English, Finnish
  • Hanna Vettenniemi

    Theologian (MTh), priest

    As a therapist, I offer you strong professional expertise, holistic support, and a warm presence. I am both observant and conversational.

    Together, it is possible to face even the most difficult matters.

    Some of the themes we might work with include: anxiety, burnout, emptiness in life, challenges at work, depression, shame, guilt, developmental trauma, addictions, relationship difficulties, narcissism, losses, transgenerational/community-borne burdens, violence—including spiritual abuse.

    I bring long experience of meeting people in their deepest humanity. My background is in business, after which I served as a pastor. Especially the years as a prison chaplain taught me a great deal about humanity and about myself.

    What is your time in life right now?

    City
    Helsinki, online therapy
    Language
    English, Finnish
  • Micaela Vilhunen

    I offer human-centred therapy in Kallio, Helsinki. As a therapist, I want to be a safe and accepting person for you, with whom you can be exactly who you are. I want to be present when you, at your own pace, encounter the things that currently challenge your everyday life, cause conflicts, or perhaps prevent you from being who you really are.

    The therapy process is never straightforward or easy, and it is good to approach this with humility. However, as a person, I always believe in the good, and that everything will work out. That is why I also believe in you.

    On my own growth path, I have had to encounter eating disorders, codependency and themes related to a loved one’s drinking and depression. The challenges of relationships and blended families are also familiar themes to me and I have learned a lot from them, for example about setting boundaries. Issues related to sexual minorities are also close to my heart. I have written my thesis on the topic: The process of coming out of the rainbow population – effects on mental well-being and growth into who you are.

    Please contact me if you would like to book an appointment. We will get to know each other and make a preliminary plan for possible future therapy, based on which you can decide how you want to proceed. Swedish is my mother tongue so we can also work in Swedish if you wish. I am also fluent in Finnish.

    City
    Helsinki
    Language
    English, Finnish, Swedish
  • Anne Volmari

    City
    Helsinki, Kerava
    Language
    English, Finnish

Trainee therapists


  • Jari Hellstén

    Ihminen tavattavissa –therapist trainee

    City
    Helsinki, Tampere
    Language
    English, Finnish
  • Päivi Ropilo

    Ihminen tavattavissa – therapist trainee


    Welcome – A Space for You to Be Heard and Understood

    Do you long to discover new perspectives on life, lighten your mind, or unlock your true potential? Here, you will find a compassionate listener who walks alongside you as you explore the questions that matter most. I meet you exactly as you are – unique, valuable, and worthy of care. Together, we can uncover inner resources and create space for strength and clarity in everyday life.

    My clients often describe me as being present, attentive, and empathetic – a steady companion on their journey.

    Areas I Work With:
    Experiences of abandonment
    Codependency
    Exhaustion and grief
    The impact of alcoholism and instability on relationships

    My Approach and Background:
    Life has been my greatest teacher. I have gained deep insight into the human experience through my roles as a mother, grandmother, and coach in Finland and abroad. In addition to completing the Human Encounter (Ihminen tavattavissa) training, I have studied Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Empowering Photography. These approaches, combined with my life experience, allow me to meet each person as a whole – with respect, curiosity, and care.

    Working languages:
    Finnish, English

    Reception locations:
    Helsinki, Töölö and Mikkeli, city center

    City
    Helsinki, Mikkeli
    Language
    English, Finnish
  • Leena Rouhiainen

    Ihminen tavattavissa – therapist trainee


    I am an empathetic therapist-in-training, committed to attuned interaction and integrating a body-oriented approach. In my professional career, I have worked in the fields of art, artist education, and art research, and I have also studied somatic methods and body psychotherapy. In our work together, you can strengthen your connection to your body and explore themes that are meaningful for your well-being and personal growth.

    City
    Helsinki
    Language
    English, Finnish
    Book an appointment
    lrouhiai@gmail.com
  • Heini Väänänen

    Ihminen tavattavissa – therapist trainee
, Psychodrama facilitator student

    You are welcome just as you are to pause together with your life. I hope you will find a space where you can be met at your own pace, with everything you wish to share.

    Working languages:

    Finnish, English

    City
    Helsinki
    Language
    English, Finnish
    Book an appointment
    +358 (0)40 812 0017

What is Ihminen tavattavissa?

Ihminen tavattavissa -training program is basicly established to rise individual consciousness. The deepest longing of humanity and of all individual persons is to be known – to be seen and to feel true connection.

In order for me to be able to truly encounter another person, I must face myself and confront my shadow. If I neglect this work, I won’t able to really be in contact with another person. Instead, I will see the other as though distorted through my own unconscious shadow. In this sort of meeting, the other isn’t seen as him- or herself, but is “hijacked” into my own inner drama which is played out without my knowing. 

The solution is consciousness – I need to become conscious of my shadow.  By becoming more conscious, I am set free to live a life of my own choosing – in freedom and creativity!

It was for this purpose that the four year training program called Ihminen Tavattavissa was founded. The first class met in 2007 and to this date, about 580 people from around Finland have participated or are participating.

Please note that this training program is held only in finnish.