Joonas Vehvilainen, BACP

Joonas Vehvilainen is a counsellor based in the United Kingdom who supports people facing stress, anxiety, addiction, eating concerns, self-esteem problems, ADHD, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, anger and depression. He also works with related struggles such as attachment issues, body image, codependency and difficulties with fatherhood. Joonas speaks English and Finnish and draws on a range of therapy styles to match what each person needs.

He trained first in psychology at the University of York and then studied neuroscience at King’s College London, where he focused on behaviours linked to addiction and mental health. That research interest led him into hands-on roles in mental health services, including work as a healthcare assistant and as a recovery worker in supported accommodation settings.

From 2019 he combined further academic study in addiction psychology and counselling with part-time counselling roles for the NHS and charities. Those early counselling years emphasised practical skills work, psychoeducation, emotional support and collaborative problem solving.

In 2021 he became a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - BACP - and has since accumulated over 1,000 hours of counselling practice. He opened his own practice in 2022 and has also worked within addiction treatment services in Scotland.

In sessions he tends to be practical and straightforward. He helps people identify what matters to them, learn coping skills, and build small changes that make daily life easier. He encourages a calm, open conversation where clients set the pace and direction of their work together.

Approaches that translate well to online sessions

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people clarify what matters to them and take small, value-driven steps despite difficult thoughts or feelings. It is often useful for anxiety, stress and motivation problems. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at patterns in close relationships and how early bonds shape current reactions; it can help with intimacy issues, attachment difficulties and some relationship patterns. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviours and testing simpler, practical ways of responding to problems like anxiety, depression and compulsive patterns.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with the client about their goals and preferences, and together they will try methods that suit the person's needs. This collaborative process helps shape the plan and can mix elements from different approaches as needed.

The biography does not list specific session formats, so please check which online options are available before booking. Online work can make sessions easier to fit into a busy day, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. It also lets people keep therapy going if they live far from services or are abroad. Registered or accredited professionals, including therapists who use ACT, attachment work and CBT, commonly adapt exercises and skills training so they work well in remote sessions.