Directory entry

Sharmaine O'Keefe, BACP

Credentials: BACP
Experience: 4 years
Practising in: United Kingdom
Languages: English
Sessions: Online only
Client ages: Adults, 18 and over

Works with Stress, AnxietyParenting issuesSelf esteem Coping with life changes

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Sharmaine O'Keefe helps people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression and major life changes. She supports parents coping with parenting pressures, people struggling with relationship or family issues, and those working through trauma, grief or eating and body image concerns. Sharmaine uses a calm, straightforward manner to make it easier to talk about difficult things.

She works in a person-focused way that adapts to each client. That means sessions can include practical exercises, gentle mindfulness practice and clear steps to try between meetings.

Background and approach

Sharmaine draws on her training as a British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy member and four years of counselling experience in independent practice, schools and charities. Before training as a counsellor she worked as a lawyer, teacher and lecturer, and those roles influence how she listens and asks questions.

She has lived and worked in several countries and pays attention to cultural differences that shape people’s lives. In sessions Sharmaine aims to create a warm, non-judgemental space where people can speak honestly. She focuses on what matters most to each person and helps set small attainable goals.

The work is practical and collaborative, with steps to try between sessions to build confidence and coping skills. People often come for help with panic, social anxiety, fertility and pregnancy concerns, workplace stress and family of origin issues. Sharmaine also supports those facing midlife changes, grief, narcissistic abuse issues and career-related uncertainty.

Approach and online therapy options

Sharmaine commonly uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to help people manage distressing thoughts and build more workable daily routines. ACT focuses on accepting difficult feelings while taking actions that match personal values, which can help with anxiety, grief and life transitions. CBT looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviour and gives clear techniques for reducing panic, social anxiety and low mood.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Sharmaine will talk with each person about their goals and what feels most helpful, and then try approaches that match those goals. That means the plan can change as progress is made and new priorities emerge, with the client guiding what feels most useful.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging to fit different needs. Video calls are useful for a fuller conversation, phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited, and messaging offers short check-ins or ongoing support without needing to be on camera. These options make it easier to fit therapy around school, work or caregiving commitments and to keep continuity when life is busy.

What issues does Sharmaine support?

She helps people with stress, anxiety, depression and coping with life changes, plus parenting concerns, relationship and family matters, trauma, grief and eating and body image issues.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Her style is warm and person-focused with practical steps to try between sessions. Sessions mix listening, simple exercises and mindfulness suited to the individual's needs.

What background does she bring to therapy?

She has four years of counselling experience across independent practice, senior school settings and charities, and previous work as a lawyer, teacher and lecturer.

Which credentials and location apply?

She is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and is based in the United Kingdom.

Which languages are sessions offered in?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are available?

Work can take place via video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging depending on the client's preference.

How are costs handled?

Fees vary with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.

How do I start working with her?

Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of focus

What this therapist works with

Most often

Stress, Anxiety
Parenting issues
Self esteem

Also listed

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 4 years
Registered with: BACP
Languages: English

Contacting Sharmaine

Sharmaine takes enquiries through BetterHelp. You answer a few questions about what you are looking for, then arrange sessions if it seems like a fit. Browsing costs nothing and you are not committing to anything by reading this page.

Sharmaine O'Keefe, BACP

Background and approach

Approach and online therapy options

Areas of focus

What this therapist works with

Others working with stress, anxiety