I am a psychotherapist, specialist psychologist, and professor of psychotherapy.
My research has focused on the processes, mechanisms, and effects of psychotherapy. In short: What are the factors related to the patient, therapist, and therapeutic relationship that influence psychotherapy outcomes? I am interested in both common and specific processes within and between different therapeutic approaches.
I carried out my dissertation at the Helsinki Psychotherapy Study of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (www.thl.fi/hps), a study which I now lead. My dissertation research focused on the individual characteristics of successful psychotherapists. I completed part of my dissertation as a Fulbright scholar at the University of Chicago in 2010-2012. The training and development of psychotherapists have continued to be my focus of interest in various research projects. I also train and supervise therapists. My postdoctoral research has increasingly focused on how various patient-related factors predict psychotherapy outcomes. This research has examined the connection between childhood experiences, personality traits, and patients’ various other resources and vulnerability factors and psychotherapy outcomes. In my work in specialized healthcare, I developed evidence-based practices for patient assessment.
My main areas of interest have also included emotions and social interaction, especially within the context of therapy. From 2017 to 2019, as a postdoctoral researcher at York University, I studied and trained in emotion-focused psychotherapy under the guidance of Prof. Leslie Greenberg.
CV:
Work experience:
Professor, University of Oslo, 2023-
Research Manager, THL, 2020-2025 (visiting researcher 2026-)
Associate Professor, University of Oslo, 2019-
Visiting Researcher, York University, 2017-2019
Visiting researcher, Fulbright scholar, University of Chicago, 2010-2012
Psychologist, Helsinki University Central Hospital 2008-2010, 2013-2016
Lecturer, University of Helsinki, 2008-
Education
Psychotherapist Trainer (upcoming 2/2026)
Certified Emotion-Focused Therapist (2019), Supervisor (2024), Trainer (2025)
Psychotherapist, 2022
Specialist in Clinical Mental Health Psychology, 2022
Docent in Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Helsinki, 2019
Doctor of Psychology, 2014
Master of Psychology, 2008
Editorial boards of scientific journals:
2016- Advisory editor, Psychotherapy Research
2024- Columnist, Psychotherapy
2025- Associate editor, Journal of Psychotherapy Integration
2025- Editorial board, Synkordia
Scientific recognitions:
2014 European Psychiatric Association (EPA) Research Prize: 2013 best publication
in the category “Epidemiological psychiatry, social psychiatry and psychotherapeutic
interventions in mental health disorders”
2012 American Psychological Association (APA) Division 29: Jeffrey E. Barnett
Research Paper Award: 2012 best publication on psychotherapeutic factors
2012 Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration (SEPI) Dissertation
Award
My website:
University of Oslo: https://www.sv.uio.no/psi/personer/vit/erkkih/
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Erkki-Heinonen
National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL):
https://thl.fi/thl/organisaatio/osastot-ja-yksikot/sote/edistava-ja-ehkaiseva-tyo/mielenterveys/henkilosto/erkki-heinonen