Sharmaine O'KeefeBACP

Sharmaine O'Keefe welcomes people who are facing stress, anxiety, parenting pressures, relationship strain, fertility concerns, or issues around pregnancy and childbirth. She also supports those coping with grief, trauma, eating and body image worries, workplace stress and life transitions. Sharmaine aims to create a calm space where people feel heard and understood.

Sharmaine works in an integrative way and draws on a small number of proven approaches. She uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy and mindfulness techniques to tailor sessions to each person. Sessions focus on practical steps, new ways of thinking and everyday tools people can use between meetings.

She holds a Master’s-level counselling qualification and is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, BACP. Sharmaine has four years of counselling experience in private practice, senior school settings and charity work. Before training as a counsellor she worked as a lawyer, teacher and lecturer.

Having lived and worked in several countries, she is sensitive to cultural and social differences and aims to meet people where they are. Her style is warm and non-judgemental, with an emphasis on listening and helping people set manageable goals.

People who come to Sharmaine can expect practical strategies, gentle challenge and an emphasis on building hope and meaning. She encourages realistic steps that fit into busy lives and supports people as they work towards clearer choices and improved coping.

Online approaches and how they can help

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, focuses on helping people notice thoughts and feelings without getting overwhelmed by them, while encouraging action toward what matters. It can help with anxiety, avoidance and finding direction during life changes. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, looks at links between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and uses practical exercises to reduce anxiety, panic or unhelpful patterns. Mindfulness techniques teach simple ways to ground attention and reduce reactivity to stress.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Sharmaine will discuss different methods and try things collaboratively to see what fits the client's needs, goals and preferences. The emphasis is on tailoring sessions so people can practise skills between meetings and notice small changes over time.

Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm the current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit counselling into a busy day, reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when life is hectic. It also lets people use tools such as guided mindfulness exercises and worksheets during sessions. Registered or accredited professionals can offer similar benefits online, and Sharmaine will help decide practical arrangements that suit each person's routine and goals.