Sharmaine O'Keefe, BACP

Sharmaine O'Keefe is a BACP-registered counsellor who helps people deal with stress, anxiety, parenting strain, relationship worries and jealousy. She works with problems such as depression, grief, trauma and eating and body image issues. Sharmaine aims to make starting therapy feel straightforward and reassuring for someone who is worried or unsure.

She describes her practice as integrative, drawing on different counselling models to suit each person. Sessions tend to focus on practical ways to manage difficult feelings and on small steps that make daily life easier. Sharmaine often uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and solution-focused ideas alongside mindfulness techniques.

Sharmaine trained to master’s level and is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, with four years' experience. Before qualifying she worked as a lawyer, teacher and lecturer, which shaped her problem-solving style and clear communication. She has also lived and worked in several countries, bringing awareness of diverse cultural backgrounds.

In sessions she aims to create a warm, non-judgemental space where people can talk through what is worrying them. She encourages practical goals and small experiments to test new ways of coping. The focus is on what the person wants to change and on building hope and momentum.

If you are thinking about starting, Sharmaine supports people through life changes, family of origin issues, workplace stress, fertility and pregnancy concerns, panic and phobias, and midlife transitions. She invites people to take one small step towards clearer thinking and kinder self-care.

How Sharmaine uses therapy approaches online

Sharmaine commonly uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and actions and helps with anxiety, panic and low mood. She also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which focuses on what matters to you and on building small committed actions even when feelings are hard.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. She will talk with you about your goals, try methods and adjust what she does so it fits your needs and preferences. That makes the process collaborative and tailored rather than one-size-fits-all.

If you prefer online sessions, please confirm the exact session options before booking as formats are not listed in the biography. Many people find remote therapy easier to fit into busy days, to keep appointments when travel is difficult, or to have shorter check-ins during a work break. Others appreciate being able to use mindfulness exercises and CBT homework between meetings to reinforce what they work on in sessions. Registered or accredited professionals can adapt these approaches to online work and help you find a rhythm that fits everyday life.