About Joel
Joel Burns, NCPS, is a counsellor based in the United Kingdom who helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, addictions and relationship or intimacy concerns. He also supports people facing issues around parenting, self-esteem, career changes, eating and sleeping problems, and LGBT-related worries.
Joel offers a calm, non-judgemental presence and aims to create a warm space where people can talk through what feels hard. He uses an integrated, pluralistic approach that draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Existential Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.
Background and approach
Sessions focus on understanding past patterns and how they shape present behaviour, while also teaching practical coping skills and problem solving. He works at the client’s pace and pays attention to mindfulness and self-awareness. Joel describes his style as creative and compassionate.
He encourages people to build personal insight and self-direction rather than relying solely on external answers. Therapy aims to increase motivation, teach coping strategies, and support people to make changes they choose. Originally from the United States, Joel has worked and studied in several countries and values multicultural life.
He says his background in counselling, sport, education and social work informs his holistic way of working. He welcomes people of different sexual orientations and identities, and notes his practice is open to LGBT clients. With six years of professional experience, Joel emphasises collaboration in sessions.
The work can include exploring family of origin themes, attachment or codependency patterns, and practical steps for everyday challenges.
What Joel works with
Everything Joel lists, in their own terms. LGBT is the reason Joel is listed here; the rest shows what else Joel works with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Parenting issues
- Depression
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Intimacy-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Sleeping disorders
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- Abandonment
- Attachment issues
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Domestic violence
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Guilt and shame
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Money and financial issues
- Multicultural concerns
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Phobias
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Joel lists
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Client-Centred Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Existential Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each counsellor names and does not check training records.
Therapy approaches and how they work online
Joel uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help people notice difficult thoughts and feelings while focusing on personal values and small committed actions. ACT can be useful for anxiety, depression and finding direction during life changes.He also works with Client-Centred Therapy, which puts the person’s own experience at the centre of sessions. This approach emphasises listening, empathy and building a trusting working relationship to support self-understanding.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) features in his practice as well, offering practical tools to spot unhelpful thought patterns and to try different behaviours that reduce distress over time.
Deciding which approach to use is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss your needs, goals and preferences and try methods that fit you. Sessions can blend techniques so the work feels useful and manageable rather than prescriptive.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so please confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can help fit sessions into everyday life by cutting travel time, allowing quieter surroundings, or enabling shorter check-ins during a busy day. It also makes it easier for people who live far from services or in different countries to connect with a therapist who shares their cultural understanding.
Questions people ask about Joel
What kinds of problems does Joel help with?
He helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, addictions, relationship and intimacy issues, and parenting concerns among other struggles.
How would he describe his therapeutic style?
His approach is calm, compassionate and creative, with an emphasis on collaboration and working at your pace.
What is his professional background?
He has six years of professional experience and a background that includes counselling, sport, education and social work.
Where is he based and what credential does he hold?
He practises in the United Kingdom and lists NCPS as his credential.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the UK work with him?
He accepts international clients.
How are fees and billing arranged?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
What should I do to begin sessions?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, then schedule according to therapist availability.
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