Sharmaine O'Keefe , BACP

Sharmaine O'Keefe is a master's level qualified counsellor who welcomes people taking steps toward positive change. She recognises that reaching out to someone new can feel daunting and aims to build a therapeutic relationship in which clients feel heard, understood and supported. Sharmaine emphasises the value of having dedicated time and space with a trained professional to explore thoughts, feelings and life challenges.

She is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), which reflects her standing within the UK counselling profession. Sharmaine is qualified to counsel clients of all ages and has helped people with a wide range of difficulties, including stress and anxiety, family conflicts, parenting concerns, depression, trauma and post-traumatic stress, grief, eating disorders, study and workplace stress, and coping with life changes. Her additional focus areas include body image, fertility and pregnancy-related issues, relationship problems, social anxiety, and workplace matters.

Her practice is integrative, drawing on several therapeutic models so that work is tailored to each person rather than relying on a single approach. She most often uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy and mindfulness techniques, combining these to meet individual needs.

With four years of counselling experience across private practice, senior school settings and charities, Sharmaine brings a breadth of experience to her work. Previous careers as a lawyer, teacher and lecturer contribute additional skills to her therapeutic approach, and living and working in multiple countries has informed her sensitivity to diverse cultural and social backgrounds. She strives to create a warm, nonjudgmental space where clients can explore issues with empathy and kindness, and she aims to support people in building hope, achieving goals and enhancing the meaning and value of their lives.