Joonas Vehvilainen

Joonas Vehvilainen is a counsellor who supports people facing stress, anxiety, anger and addictive behaviours. He also helps with depression, trauma, self-esteem and relationship-related struggles. He works in English and Finnish and is based in the United Kingdom.

He studied psychology at the University of York and completed a master’s degree in neuroscience at King’s College London. Later he trained in addiction psychology and counselling at London South Bank University. He is a BACP member, which is recorded as BACP.

Joonas spent several years working in mental health roles across London, including as a healthcare assistant and a recovery worker. He then practised as a counsellor within NHS and charity settings. Those frontline roles shaped how he talks with people and the kinds of tools he offers in sessions.

His work is practical and grounded. He aims to help people understand patterns behind their reactions, learn skills for managing urges and strong emotions, and build clearer goals for change. He uses evidence-informed ways of working to teach coping skills and provide emotional support.

Over time he developed experience with addiction, eating concerns, anger, grief and attachment difficulties. He has provided more than 1,000 hours of counselling and now runs his own practice while continuing to work in addiction services. Joonas focuses on helping people take manageable steps towards better daily functioning and improved relationships.

How therapeutic approaches shape online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice painful thoughts without being driven by them. It focuses on values and small steps towards a meaningful life, which can help with anxiety, depression and anger. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings and behaviours interact. It teaches practical strategies to change unhelpful thinking and reduce distress, useful for anxiety, low mood and compulsive behaviours.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, preferences and what has helped before, then try approaches that suit the person. This is collaborative, so adjustments can be made as needs change.

The biography does not list specific online session formats, so please confirm which options are offered before booking. In general, online work can make it easier to fit therapy around daily life, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. It also enables access for people living further away or in different countries, and lets sessions focus on practical skill-building and emotion regulation in real-world settings.