Simi Valecha Johnson

Therapy that goes with you, wherever you are in the world

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Online Vegan Therapist

Moving from place to place, adjusting to new places and cultures, and coming back to a place that no longer feels like ‘home’ … the life of the globally mobile creates its own particular challenges. As a cross-culture person having lived in more than one place myself, I know this from personal experience.

This is the life I lead each and every day. Which is precisely  why I offer online therapy  and counselling services specifically designed for expats, ATCKs (adult third-culture adults kids), and the globally mobile community.

Using my integrative approach to therapy supported by the remarkable power of integrative arts therapy, I help people of all backgrounds overcome a variety of conditions.

People just like you.

Get to know your fellow global nomad

I’m  Simi Valecha Johnson, a qualified Integrative Arts Psychotherapist (IAP) accredited by the HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council), UK.

Born in Africa and raised between Accra and London, I understand the challenges that a cross-cultured and nomadic lifes entails. Today, both the life I lead and the therapy I offer are 100% location-independent, allowing me to serve the global community.

More importantly, I understand what it feels like to move around frequently and never quite belong. Constantly being asked where you’re from, which can be a difficult question, or where your accent is from… it can feel like you’re a tourist in your own city.

You are not alone. And I am here to help.

Therapy and counselling where you are: here’s how it works

As the world becomes increasingly global, the community of global nomads grows with it. So too does the demand for online therapy. For some people, meeting regularly for therapy in person just isn’t possible. Others prefer to attend their sessions from the comfort of their own home for personal reasons.

Being a globally mobile person is not always as great as it may sound. People often think that being globally mobile means constantly travelling the world, seeing new places which is an envious adventure. But there are downsides to this lifestyle too and specific mental health challenges that come with it.

Online therapy is particularly well suited to give global nomads access to quality care no matter where they’re located nor their circumstances. It’s a way to get instant access to therapy without the waiting lists. In fact, studies have shown the particular effectiveness of online therapy in reducing stress and anxiety.

Here is exactly what you can expect when you work with me:

Step 1

Contact me for a free consultation

Fill out the contact form and I will respond by email to set up a free 20-minute Skype consultation. During this time, you can tell me more about what’s bringing you to therapy, ask questions, and get to know me better. You’ll also get a sense of what it’s like to talk with me.

It’s very important that the therapist you choose is right for you. This is our opportunity to make sure we are a good fit so that you get the most of the therapeutic experience. Once we’ve decided to work together, we’ll commit to the next step together: a one-hour assessment.

Step 2

Complete a one-hour assessment

The one-hour, face-to-face video assessment session is a chance to tell me more about you and your story.

At a comfortable pace, we can discuss where you’re at right now, what’s been causing you difficulties, and the conditions, feelings, and issues that have led you to seek therapy.

In addition, I’ll tell you more about how I work, explain more details about confidentiality, and give you plenty of space to ask questions. From there, we can co-create a treatment plan that works for you.

Step 3

Create your plan moving forward

After we decide to work together, we’ll set up regular 50-minute sessions. These sessions will be scheduled at a time and frequency that make sense for you based on my recommendations, your current situation, and what will be most effective to see the benefits of committing to regular therapy.

Throughout our time together, we will think together about your progress, communicate transparently, and adjust the frequency and timeline of our sessions as needed.

It’s a co-created process, through and through.

Integrative arts therapy centered around you

Like your background and lifestyle, your path to wellness and improved mental health is unique. So, rather than take a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy, I first seek to understand the experiences, background, and current way of life that make you … well, you. From there, we’ll create a tailored therapy plan focussed on what works for you.

What is integrative arts therapy?

Sometimes, it can be hard to find the right words to express our thoughts, feelings, and issues. I’m professionally trained to use 7 different forms of art which I’ve adapted to working online as part of the therapeutic process. These are safe and effective therapy methods—backed by neuroscience—that tap into the tremendous power of your own creative self-expression.

Online art therapy … how does that work?

The fact is, we think and feel in more than just words. For that reason, online arts therapy can be just as effective as in-person sessions, if not more so. Together, we can leverage the digital medium to explore creative self-expression, symbols, and metaphors in engaging and effective ways.

Do you need to be artistic? Not at all. This is all ‘process lead’ so no skills are required. Working with the arts provides countless ways to engage creativity and expression you might not have known you had. And given the online setting, your location will not be a limitation to the power of your imagination.