About Sharmaine
Sharmaine O'Keefe is a counsellor who helps people facing stress, anxiety, phobias and depression. She supports those dealing with relationship and family tensions, grief, trauma and abuse, and challenges around eating, body image and self-esteem. She also helps with parenting concerns, workplace issues and major life changes.
Sharmaine trained to master's level and is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). She has four years' experience working in independent practice, senior school settings and charities.
Background and approach
Before qualifying she worked as a lawyer, teacher and lecturer, which she says informs her practical approach. Her sessions are person-centred and tailored to each person. She draws on a mixture of approaches so conversations and activities match what an individual needs in the moment.
Clients can expect direct, clear guidance alongside time to reflect on feelings and experience. Common tools she uses include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and mindfulness techniques. These methods are applied in straightforward ways, such as noticing unhelpful thoughts, practising small behavioural changes and learning skills to manage anxiety or panic.
Sharmaine aims to offer a warm, non-judgemental space where people feel heard. She focuses on practical steps and achievable goals so clients can notice progress between sessions. Her international background has shaped an awareness of multicultural and family of origin issues.
Sessions are offered in English and are available through a range of online formats. She works with adults on personal and life challenges rather than with groups or organisations.
How her approaches work in online therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and choose actions that match their values. It can be useful for anxiety, panic and life changes where avoidance keeps problems stuck. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses on the link between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and offers clear steps to reduce anxiety and manage panic attacks. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce stress and increase calm in daily life.Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss options and try techniques together so the method fits the person's goals and preferences. Sessions are collaborative and flexible, with adjustments made if something isn't helping.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging. Video calls let people use visual cues for a fuller conversation. Phone sessions use less bandwidth and can be easier during busy days. Live chat and messaging suit shorter check-ins, notes between sessions or when someone prefers typed communication. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, childcare or other commitments and to continue progress from wherever a person is based in the United Kingdom.
Questions people ask
What concerns does Sharmaine focus on?
What is her therapeutic style like?
How much clinical experience does she have?
What credentials and region are listed?
Which languages are supported and can she see international clients?
What session formats are available?
How are fees and payments handled?
How do I begin therapy with her?
What this therapist works with
Most often
- Stress, Anxiety
- Parenting issues
- Self esteem
Also listed
- Body image
- Career difficulties
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Eating and food-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Family conflicts
- Family of origin issues
- Fertility issues
- Grief
- Jealousy
- Midlife crisis
- Multicultural concerns
- Narcissism
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Phobias
- Post-traumatic stress
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Relationship issues
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Trauma and abuse
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 4 years
- Licensed
- Languages
- English
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