Sharon McHugh, BACP

Sharon McHugh is a United Kingdom based counsellor who focuses on helping people recover from anxiety and trauma rooted in difficult childhoods, teenage years, or early adulthood. She brings seven years of practice experience and a client-led, empathetic style that encourages individuals to explore their thoughts and feelings at their own pace. Sessions are guided by the client, creating a space where concerns can be raised openly without pressure or judgement. At the first meeting Sharon and the client agree goals and outline a plan to work toward them, with later sessions exploring issues more deeply through thoughtful questioning that aims to understand the client’s life from their perspective.

Her background includes work in both private practice and external agencies, supporting people who developed coping strategies to survive environments where being themselves was not possible. Over time those survival strategies can contribute to low self-esteem, people-pleasing, a sense of not knowing one’s true self, and a desire for change without a clear starting point. Sharon’s training is integrative and varied: she is a Level 4 Integrative Counsellor, a Level 5 Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, and holds a diploma in Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy. She is also affiliated with the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists - commonly known as BACP - which reflects adherence to the association’s professional guidelines and ethical standards. Sharon aims to support growth and healing so clients can move toward the life they want to lead, and she looks forward to working with people ready to begin that process.