- Stress and anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Attachment work
About Joanna
Joanna Ridgeway is an ACA counsellor in Australia with 14 years of professional experience. She works with adults who feel stuck after changes in work, relationships or health. Common concerns she helps with include stress, anxiety, relationship strain, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem and depression.
Joanna uses clear, direct conversation to help people name what feels off and find small next steps. Sessions focus on practical thinking patterns and on how attachment and emotion shape close relationships. She draws on cognitive behavioural techniques alongside attachment-based and emotionally focused ideas to help clients notice what repeats and try different responses.
People often come when motivation has dipped or when a relationship change leaves them unsure what matters next. Joanna also works with issues linked to abandonment, body image, chronic illness and caregiver stress. She talks through communication problems, commitment worries and the effects of past abuse in ways that link feeling, thought and behaviour.
Her approach is client-centred and straightforward. Conversations aim to be honest and respectful, with clear goals and tangible strategies. Joanna explains techniques, practices them in session and checks how they fit into everyday life.
To begin, she asks about where the difficulty shows up and what a preferable next step would look like. That helps set short-term priorities and a practical plan for moving forward.
Therapeutic approaches used in online sessions
Joanna commonly integrates cognitive behavioural therapy and attachment-based ideas in her online work. Cognitive behavioural therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and testing new ways of responding, which can help with anxiety, low mood and motivation. Attachment-based therapy looks at how early and current relationship patterns shape reactions and expectations, and it can be useful for relationship strain and repeated emotional cycles.Finding the right approach is part of the process. Joanna works collaboratively to decide which methods fit a person's goals and preferences. She checks in after early sessions and adjusts the focus based on what works for the client in practice.
Please confirm the exact session formats before booking, as the profile does not list them. Online options can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when needed. Joanna will help match session length and frequency to everyday routines so therapeutic work can be managed alongside other responsibilities.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
14+ years
Listed in
Australia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she commonly work with?
She helps with stress, anxiety, relationship problems, trauma and abuse, self-esteem and depression, plus related issues such as abandonment and caregiver stress.
How does she approach someone who feels stuck?
Her style is client-centred and practical, using conversation to identify repeating patterns and test small changes. She combines cognitive techniques with attachment and emotion-focused ideas.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 14 years of professional work experience in Australia supporting people with the concerns listed on her profile.
What credentials and location should I know about?
She is an ACA counsellor based in Australia and practices using that credential as listed.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients book with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
What are the session formats and cost structure?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time. Please confirm current session formats before booking.
How do I begin work with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.