Joonas Vehvilainen
BACP
United Kingdom
Practical counselling for addiction and anxiety
Continue with JoonasAt a glance
- Credentials
- BACP
- Registration
- BACP, United Kingdom / 390418
- Experience
- 4 years
- Languages
- English, Finnish
- Location
- United Kingdom
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp.
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- Motivational support
- Skills and strategy
- English and Finnish
About Joonas
Joonas Vehvilainen is a counsellor who helps people struggling with stress, anxiety, depression and addictions. He also supports those facing relationship strain, grief, low self-esteem, ADHD concerns and problems with intimacy. He speaks English and Finnish and works with people in the United Kingdom and internationally.
Joonas trained in psychology and neuroscience, and later studied addiction psychology and counselling. He has four years of counselling experience and has delivered more than 1,000 hours of sessions. Early roles in mental health units and supported accommodation shaped the way he approaches care in practice.
His style is practical and down-to-earth. He uses motivational discussion to encourage change and draws on approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, attachment-based perspectives, client-centred listening and cognitive techniques. In sessions he focuses on clear steps, skills practice and explaining how behaviours and thoughts connect.
Clients can expect a calm, direct approach that balances gentle challenge with practical tools. He places emphasis on learning coping strategies, understanding patterns such as codependency or impulsivity, and working through past trauma and grief at a pace that suits the individual.
Joonas set up his own practice after roles in the NHS and specialist addiction services. His background includes work as a recovery worker and counselling roles for community organisations, plus clinical work in a hospital setting, which informs his focus on addiction and mental health.
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How his approaches translate to online therapy
Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative way of talking that helps people find their own reasons to change and build motivation. It works well for issues like addictions, ambivalence about treatment and making life changes.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, focuses on values and workable steps. It helps people who struggle with anxiety, depression or avoidance by teaching simple ways to notice thoughts and take meaningful action.
Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationships shape current patterns. It can be useful when intimacy, trust or repeated relationship problems are a concern.
Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about their goals and preferences and try methods that suit their situation. This is a collaborative process and may involve trying different techniques to see what helps most.
If you are considering online therapy, check the available session options before booking since specific formats are not listed in the profile. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions around daily life, save travel time and allow quicker check-ins during busy weeks. It can also make some sessions shorter or audio-only if that better fits a situation, and it supports people connecting from different countries. -
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Attachment issuesAvoidant personalityBody imageCodependencyDependent personalityDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionFatherhood issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameImpulsivityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeNarcissismPost-traumatic stressProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Self-loveSex addictionSexual dysfunctionSmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaTherapeutic approaches
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Existential TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyExperience
4+ years
Listed in
United Kingdom
Languages
English, Finnish
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Frequently asked questions
What concerns does he commonly help with?
He works with people facing stress, anxiety, depression and addictions. He also addresses issues like low self-esteem, grief, ADHD-related challenges and intimacy problems.
What is his therapeutic style?
His style is practical and direct with warm listening. Sessions focus on motivational discussion, skills practice and clear steps to support change.
What is his background in mental health?
He holds a psychology degree and a masters in neuroscience, later studying addiction psychology and counselling. He has worked in mental health units, supported accommodation and as a counsellor in community services.
What credentials and location are listed?
He is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, listed as BACP, and is based in the United Kingdom.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English and Finnish. International clients can also be supported.
What session formats can I expect?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as specific formats are not listed in the profile. The therapist or service will clarify whether sessions are online, phone or in person.
How are fees and payment structured?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to the therapist's availability.
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Online talk therapy is not emergency or medical care. Stopping or cutting down alcohol or other drugs can be unsafe without medical advice. In immediate danger? Crisis numbers