Joonas Vehvilainen , BACP

Joonas Vehvilainen is a UK-based therapist originally from Finland who has also lived in Thailand and the United States. His early fascination with the mind led him to study psychology at the University of York, where he completed his undergraduate degree in 2014, and to pursue a master’s in neuroscience at King’s College London in 2015 with a focus on behaviour related to addiction and mental health.

He gained frontline experience working in mental health settings from 2016 onward, including roles as a healthcare assistant and as a recovery worker supporting people with addiction and mental health difficulties. While training further in addiction psychology and counselling at London South Bank University beginning in 2019, he worked part-time as a counsellor for the NHS, Humankind, and WDP, developing skills in assessment, coping-skill teaching, psychoeducation, and emotional support.

In 2021 he became a member of the BACP, a recognised UK professional association for counsellors, and in 2022 he launched his own practice while also working as an addiction therapist at Castle Craig Hospital in Scotland. He offers support for a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, addictions, eating and body-image difficulties, ADHD, family and attachment issues, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related problems, anger, depression, and related areas such as codependency, impulsivity, and life-purpose questions. He provides therapy in English and Finnish and accepts clients in the United Kingdom and internationally.

Therapeutic approaches for online work with Joonas

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps clients clarify what matters most to them and learn practical ways to respond to difficult thoughts and feelings so they can move toward a meaningful life. It is useful for anxiety, stress, low motivation, and problems that persist despite attempts to avoid unpleasant internal experiences.

Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on patterns that developed in early relationships and how those patterns affect current connections. It helps people understand relational wounds, improve emotional bonds, and address issues such as intimacy struggles, attachment difficulties, and family problems.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours and teaches skills to change unhelpful thinking and coping strategies. It is often used for depression, anxiety, anger, and many day-to-day challenges.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Joonas works with each person to identify goals and preferences, and he tailors methods from these therapies to suit individual needs rather than using a one-size-fits-all model.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can be arranged as video calls, phone appointments, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit schedules, time zones, and comfort levels. These options make it easier to access consistent therapeutic support from licensed professionals regardless of location.