Joanna Ridgeway, ACA
14 years in practice
Joanna Ridgeway is an ACA counsellor who helps people manage stress, anxiety, relationship strains, trauma and low self-esteem.
License and registration
- ACA
- 15551 · expires January 2027
- Years in practice
- 14
- Languages
- English
Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check the registration with the body that granted it.
About Joanna
Joanna Ridgeway is an ACA counsellor who helps people manage stress, anxiety, relationship strains, trauma and low self-esteem. She aims to make the first step easier by offering a calm, non-judgemental space where people can say what they feel and be heard. Joanna uses clear, straightforward conversation to understand what matters most to each person.
She listens for patterns that keep problems active and works with clients to try new ways of responding.
Background and approach
Sessions focus on what is realistic for daily life and on small, practical steps that build confidence over time. Her approach draws on Emotionally-Focused Therapy and attachment-based ideas to look at how emotions and close relationships shape difficulties. She also uses client-centred techniques to follow each person’s pace, and cognitive behavioural strategies when unhelpful thoughts and behaviours need changing.
Joanna has 14 years of experience in clinical and community settings across Australia. She can help people dealing with depression, chronic health challenges, caregiver stress, communication problems, and life changes like separation or bereavement. People who prefer a collaborative, down-to-earth style may find her helpful.
Joanna aims to support clients to notice what they want to change and to build practical tools for coping and connection.
Focus areas and approaches
Everything Joanna lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
- Self esteem
- Depression
- Abandonment
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Attachment issues
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Blended family issues
- Body image
- Cancer
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Money and financial issues
- Narcissism
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-love
- Smoking / vaping cessation
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Somatization
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Joanna names
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Attachment-Based Therapy
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Gottman Method
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Somatic Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
- Internal Family Systems
- Systemic Therapy
Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist lists and does not check training records.
Online support
How Joanna uses emotionally focused and practical approaches online
Joanna commonly draws on Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) to help people notice and name their core emotions. EFT looks at how feelings influence reactions and helps people find new ways to respond when emotions feel overwhelming. Attachment-Based Therapy is used to explore how early and current relationship patterns shape stress and closeness, which can be useful for improving communication and trust.She combines these with client-centred work that follows each person’s lead and with cognitive behavioural tools when changing unhelpful thoughts is needed. Joanna treats finding the right approach as a team effort - she works with clients to test what fits best, adjusts methods over time, and sets goals together based on needs and preferences.
Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging to suit different circumstances. Video sessions allow face-to-face conversation and emotional attunement. Phone sessions can be a good option when bandwidth is limited or for brief check-ins. Live chat and messaging work well for people who prefer writing or need flexible timing. These formats make it easier to fit therapy around work, caregiving and daily life.
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Questions people ask
What kinds of concerns does Joanna support?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem and depression. She also focuses on related issues such as attachment concerns, body image, caregiver stress and chronic illness.
What is her therapeutic style?
Her style is collaborative and down-to-earth. Joanna blends emotionally-focused and attachment-based approaches with client-centred listening and cognitive behavioural techniques.
How much experience does she have?
Joanna brings 14 years of professional experience in clinical and community work in Australia.
What credentials and location apply to this therapist?
She is an ACA counsellor and practises in Australia.
Which languages are supported and can international clients join?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
Joanna offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging for flexibility in how people connect.
How much do sessions cost?
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 her?
Choose the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
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