Sharmaine O'Keefe, BACP

Sharmaine O'Keefe welcomes people who are ready to make changes and recognises how daunting it can be to open up to someone new. She aims to build a relationship where clients feel heard, understood and respected, and she values providing dedicated time and space that focuses on the individual's needs.

She is a Masters-level qualified counsellor and a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) - the UK professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists. Sharmaine is qualified to counsel clients of all ages and has practical experience supporting people with a wide range of concerns, including stress, anxiety, parenting challenges, relationship and family issues, self-esteem, trauma and abuse, grief, eating and body image issues, career and workplace matters, and depression.

Her practice is integrative, combining several therapeutic models to suit each person's unique situation. She most often draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy and mindfulness techniques, applying these approaches flexibly to meet individual goals. Over four years she has worked in private practice, senior school settings and with charities, and prior roles as a lawyer, teacher and lecturer contribute to her practical and professional perspective. Having lived and worked in multiple countries, she brings an awareness of multicultural and diverse social backgrounds to her work.

Sharmaine aims to create a warm, nonjudgmental environment where thoughts and feelings can be explored openly. She works with empathy and kindness to help clients identify attainable goals, build coping skills and find greater meaning and value in their lives.