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Shahna Thurston, BACP

Trauma-informed integrative therapist
  • DBT skills and support
  • Person-centred care
  • Trauma and relationship focus

About Shahna Thurston

Shahna Thurston is an accredited therapist based in the United Kingdom who brings five years of professional experience and a Master’s degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy awarded with distinction. As an MBACP (Accred) practitioner, she combines structured training with a compassionate, person-focused attitude to support people through challenging life moments.

Her practice is integrative, blending humanistic and person-centred foundations with existential perspectives and evidence-informed skills such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy - Shahna is DBT certified - alongside psychodynamic and transference-focused techniques. She also uses trauma-informed methods and specific training in Janna Fisher trauma work, and she plans to complete EMDR training later this year, which will add additional tools for working with complex trauma.

Shahna specialises in areas including narcissistic abuse, trauma and complex PTSD, anxiety, stress, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, and major life transitions. She draws on mindfulness, experiential therapy, psychoeducation, and practical skills-based approaches to help people manage emotions, interrupt unhelpful patterns, and strengthen resilience. Her sessions offer attentive, non-judgmental support where individuals can explore past experiences, gain insight, and work toward greater balance and wellbeing. Shahna focuses on empowering people to heal from past wounds and develop clearer ways of relating to themselves and others.

Areas of Expertise

Primary Focus

Also Specializes In

Family conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional Focus Areas

AbandonmentAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationTrichotillomaniaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic Approach

Client-Centered Therapy Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Existential Therapy Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy

Frequently Asked Questions

How much experience does Shahna Thurston have?

Shahna Thurston has five years of professional experience.

Is Shahna Thurston a registered therapist?

Yes. She holds registration with the BACP, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

In which languages does Shahna Thurston provide therapy?

Shahna provides therapy in English.

Where is Shahna Thurston located?

Shahna is located in the United Kingdom.

How can I work with Shahna Thurston as my therapist?

You can work with Shahna Thurston through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

Does Shahna Thurston work with international clients?

No. Shahna Thurston does not currently work with international clients.

How much does therapy with Shahna Thurston cost?

The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be cancelled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.

How can I get started with therapy?

Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.

Integrative Approaches and Online Support

Shahna uses Client-Centred Therapy to create a respectful, empathetic space where the person’s own values and goals guide the work; this approach helps when someone needs support building self-awareness, confidence, or clearer life direction. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, which Shahna is trained in, focuses on practical skills for managing intense emotions, improving relationships, and reducing harmful patterns, often useful for anxiety, mood instability, and difficulties with emotional regulation. Mindfulness Therapy is woven into sessions to help individuals develop present-moment awareness and gentle strategies for coping with stress and recurring thought patterns.

Finding the right combination of methods is part of the therapeutic process. Shahna works collaboratively with each person to identify which approaches best match their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting techniques as progress unfolds. This collaborative stance helps ensure therapy feels relevant and workable for everyday life.

Online therapy offers flexible access to these approaches through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, continue care during life transitions, and maintain regular contact with a registered professional when in-person meetings are not practical.

Ready to start therapy with Shahna Thurston?

Take the first step toward a better you.