Sharmaine O'Keefe

Sharmaine O'Keefe offers support for stress, anxiety, parenting concerns, self-esteem problems and relationship or family difficulties. She helps people dealing with trauma, grief, eating and body image issues, workplace strain, and struggling with life changes. Sharmaine lists Narcissism among her focus areas and also works with panic, phobias and post-traumatic stress.

Sharmaine is a BACP-registered counsellor with four years of practice experience. She describes her work as integrative, drawing on different therapy models so each session can match a person’s needs. Sessions aim to be calm and practical, with time to talk things through and set small, realistic goals.

Her usual approaches include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy and mindfulness techniques. These methods are used to help people notice unhelpful patterns, build coping skills and try new ways of responding to difficult situations. Sessions are collaborative and paced to the person’s comfort.

Sharmaine’s background includes work in private practice, schools and charities. Before qualifying she worked as a lawyer, teacher and lecturer, experience she says helps with organisation and clear communication. She has lived and worked in several countries and brings an awareness of multicultural concerns to her practice.

People can expect a warm, non-judgemental space where feelings are listened to and practical steps are explored. Sharmaine aims to support clients with kindness while they work towards clearer values, improved coping and more manageable day-to-day life.

Therapeutic approaches that translate online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values and take small actions that matter to them. It focuses on noticing thoughts without getting stuck and building a meaningful direction for life. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) looks at links between thoughts, feelings and behaviour and offers practical strategies to change unhelpful patterns. CBT can be useful for anxiety, panic and low mood.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss your goals and preferences and try methods that fit your needs. Sessions are collaborative, with short-term goals reviewed and adapted as you progress.

The biography does not specify which online formats are offered, so please confirm session options before booking. Online therapy can help fit counselling into a busy life by reducing travel time, making it easier to attend between commitments and offering flexible scheduling. It can also allow for shorter check-ins when needed or sessions that avoid being on camera if that helps you engage. Registered or accredited professionals use therapy tools that adapt well to remote work and aim to keep sessions focused and practical.