Joonas Vehvilainen , BACP

Joonas Vehvilainen is a UK-based therapist originally from Finland who has also lived in Thailand and the United States. An early curiosity about how the mind and brain work guided his educational and professional path toward psychology and mental health care.

He completed an undergraduate degree in psychology at the University of York in 2014 and went on to earn a master’s degree in neuroscience from King’s College London in 2015, focusing on behaviour related to addiction and mental health. To build practical experience, he worked in London in a range of mental health roles, including as a healthcare assistant in a mental health unit and as a recovery worker supporting people in residential services between 2016 and 2019.

In 2019 he began further study in addiction psychology and counselling at London South Bank University while working part-time as a counsellor for the NHS, Humankind, and WDP from 2019 to 2021. He became a certified member of the British Association of Counselling Practitioners (BACP) in 2021. In 2022 he launched his private practice and also provided addiction therapy at Castle Craig Hospital in Scotland.

Joonas draws on several clinical approaches, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). He works with a wide range of concerns such as stress, anxiety, addictions, eating and body image issues, ADHD, family and relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, grief, anger, depression, and related areas. He offers therapy in English and Finnish, is based in the United Kingdom, accepts clients now, and is able to work with international clients. He has four years of clinical experience.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Joonas commonly draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which helps people clarify their values and develop practical strategies to act in ways that matter to them even when difficult thoughts or feelings arise. He also uses Attachment-Based Therapy to explore how early relationships influence current patterns in intimate and family relationships, helping clients address attachment-related concerns and improve connection. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is another tool in his work - it focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and related problems.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Joonas works collaboratively with each person to determine what fits best for their needs, goals, and preferences. He tailors interventions and adapts methods over time so therapy remains aligned with the client’s priorities.

Online therapy with Joonas is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, providing flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care when travel, work, or life commitments make in-person sessions difficult, and they allow clients and licensed professionals to focus on progress in ways that suit each client’s life.