Hello and welcome! My name is Sharmaine O'Keefe and I commend you for taking this step to make positive changes in your life. I understand that opening up to someone you don't know can feel daunting but with the right therapist, you will feel a sense of safety and trust and most importantly feel heard and understood. Having time and space dedicated just to you with a trained therapist can truly be life changing.
I am a Masters level qualified counsellor and licensed in the UK as a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. I am qualified to counsel clients of all ages and have experience in helping clients with many complex and diverse challenges including (but not limited to) stress and anxiety, family conflicts, parenting issues, depression, trauma, PTSD, grief, narcissistic abuse, eating disorders, study stress, learning difficulties, work related issues & coping with life changes.
My practice is integrative which means that I draw upon many counselling theories as each client is unique and not one approach meets all client needs. I use a holistic approach to different therapeutic models but mostly use Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT) and Mindfulness Techniques.
I have 3 years experience counselling clients in private practice, senior school settings and charities. Prior to qualifying as a therapist I worked as a lawyer, teacher and lecturer, careers which have added an invaluable proficiency to my work. I have lived and worked in several countries over many years which has developed a great awareness of the needs of clients from diverse cultural and social backgrounds.
I strive to create a warm and safe environment for my clients where thoughts and feelings can be shared openly without fear of judgment. My aim is to support my clients with empathy and kindness and I hope that together we can instil hope, achieve goals and enhance the meaning and value of your life.
Additional areas of focus: Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Eating disorders, Career difficulties, Depression, Body image, Eating and Food-Related Issues, Expats, Family of Origin Issues, Fertility Issues, Jealousy, Midlife crisis, Multicultural Concerns, Narcissism, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Phobias, Post-traumatic stress, Pregnancy and childbirth, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy
BACP Therapist - Registered Member MBACP #393053
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Sharmaine O'Keefe. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Amazing and supportive therapist
Written on Apr 18, 2024 after therapy with Sharmaine for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, self esteem, and anger management
Sharmaine is awesome, first therapist I’ve had that’s made me feel listened to and heard!
Written on Apr 16, 2024 after therapy with Sharmaine for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes
I can not recommend Sharmaine highly enough. She has helped me completely transform negative though processes, and has given me a pathway to coping on a particularly traumatic time in my life. Her expertise and empathy are second to none, and she provides excellent practical strategies that I adopt between sessions. I really look forward to our sessions each week, and feel so fortunate that I was matched with her.
Written on Oct 01, 2023 after therapy with Sharmaine for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, self esteem, and coping with life changes
I've been fortunate to have been in sessions with Sharmaine for a few months now, and I genuinely cannot express how highly I recommend her. Having worked with various therapists previously, I never experienced such a positive connection before. Sharmaine exudes an extraordinary level of support and understanding that truly makes me feel seen and heard. Her empathetic approach has been crucial in helping me navigate and overcome my challenges, particularly in relation to my ED issues. I am grateful for her compassionate guidance and unwavering support.
Written on Sep 28, 2023 after therapy with Sharmaine for 5 months on issues concerning depression, eating disorders, and self esteem
I have absolutely loved the time that Sharmaine and I have spent together in therapy.
She is extremely professional yet personable. I have issues opening up but her demeanour is welcoming and warm that it felt easy for me, her initial warm greetings always made me feel safe and secure.
Thank you for all that you do Sharmaine! x
Written on Sep 23, 2023 after therapy with Sharmaine for 3 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and coaching
I have only had 1 session but was very impressed with the session and her thoughts and suggestions aftwards. She is kind, thoughtful and professional. Thanks for your help
Written on Feb 20, 2023 after therapy with Sharmaine for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and relationship issues