Joonas is a well experienced Registered Practitioner Member of BACP and Advanced Practitioner Member of Addiction Professionals. Originally from Finland, Joonas has lived in Thailand, the USA, and the United Kingdom, where he has spent most of his life. Growing up he was always fascinated by how the mind and brain work. So, when it was time to choose his career path, psychology was a natural choice.
In 2014 he completed his undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of York, exploring various fields like social psychology, mental health disorders, and addiction. His passion for understanding human behaviour led him to pursue a Master’s degree in neuroscience at King’s College London in 2015, focusing on the behaviour behind addiction and mental health.
From 2016 to 2019 he was a healthcare assistant in a mental health unit and a recovery worker in supported accommodations for those dealing with mental health and addiction issues. Witnessing the challenges his clients faced inspired him to further his education.
In 2019 Joonas began a Master’s degree in Addiction Psychology and Counselling at London South Bank University (LSBU). While studying, he also worked part-time as a counsellor for the NHS, Humankind, and WDP from 2019 to 2021. These first two years as a counsellor solidified his understanding of supporting clients by analysing their issues, teaching coping skills, emphasising psychoeducation, and providing much-needed emotional support.
Joonas’ hard work paid off in 2021 when he became a certified member of the British Association of Counselling Practitioners (BACP) and Addiction Professionals. Shortly after this, he started his own practice which he continued while working from March 2023 to November 2024 as an addiction therapist at Castle Craig Hospital in Scotland.
Based on feedback he has received from clients over the years, the words which are most frequently used to describe Joonas are “reliable”, “attentive” and “considerate”. He will aim to support you by creating a space that feels safe, calm and caring enough for you to begin your journey to recovery.