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Sharmaine O'Keefe, BACP

Compassionate UK counsellor for life transitions
  • BACP registered
  • Masters level counsellor
  • Specialist in anxiety

About Sharmaine O'Keefe

Sharmaine O'Keefe is a Masters level qualified counsellor and a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), the professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists in the United Kingdom. She welcomes people who are ready to make positive changes and recognises that starting therapy can feel daunting; with time, a trained therapist can help clients feel heard, understood and supported. Sharmaine emphasises the value of dedicated time and space for personal reflection and growth, and aims to foster a warm, trusting therapeutic relationship where thoughts and feelings can be explored without judgment.

Her practice is integrative, drawing on a range of counselling theories so that interventions are tailored to each person's needs. She most often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy and mindfulness techniques to address a wide array of concerns. Her listed specialties include stress, anxiety, parenting, self-esteem, coping with life changes, relationships, family issues, trauma and abuse, grief, eating concerns, career matters and depression, alongside additional focus areas such as body image, fertility issues, family of origin matters, narcissism, panic disorder, phobias, post-traumatic stress, pregnancy and childbirth, social anxiety, women's issues and workplace difficulties.

With four years of experience working in private practice, senior school settings and charities, Sharmaine brings perspectives informed by earlier careers as a lawyer, teacher and lecturer. She aims to work with empathy and kindness to help clients build hope, clarify goals and enhance the meaning and value of their lives. She is not currently accepting new clients.

Areas of Expertise

Also Specializes In

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefEating disordersCareer difficultiesDepression

Additional Focus Areas

Body imageEating and food-related issuesFamily of origin issuesFertility issuesJealousyMidlife crisisMulticultural concernsNarcissismPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic Approach

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Mindfulness Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy

Frequently Asked Questions

How much experience does Sharmaine O'Keefe have?

Sharmaine O'Keefe has four years of clinical experience, working with clients in private practice, senior school settings and charities.

Is Sharmaine O'Keefe a registered therapist?

Yes. She is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), the professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists in the United Kingdom.

In which languages does Sharmaine O'Keefe provide therapy?

Therapy is provided in English.

Where is Sharmaine O'Keefe located?

She is located in the United Kingdom.

How can I work with Sharmaine O'Keefe as my therapist?

You can work with Sharmaine O'Keefe through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

Does Sharmaine O'Keefe work with international clients?

No. Sharmaine O'Keefe does not currently work with international clients.

How much does therapy with Sharmaine O'Keefe 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, please click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.

How can I get started with therapy?

Getting started is 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, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

Sharmaine commonly draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness techniques. CBT focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns to reduce symptoms associated with anxiety, depression and stress-related issues. ACT encourages acceptance of difficult thoughts and feelings while helping clients clarify personal values and take committed action toward meaningful goals, which can be useful for coping with life changes and persistent worries. Mindfulness techniques build present-moment awareness and self-compassion, supporting regulation of strong emotions and stress and improving everyday wellbeing.

Choosing the right approach is part of the collaborative process. Sharmaine works together with clients to understand their needs, goals and preferences and tailors methods accordingly rather than applying a single model to everyone. This thoughtful collaboration helps determine which techniques will best support each person.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, maintain continuity of care when in-person meetings are difficult, and access registered professionals from different locations within the United Kingdom. The variety of formats also allows clients and therapists to experiment and choose the mode that feels most comfortable and effective for their work together.

Ready to start therapy with Sharmaine O'Keefe?

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