Sharon McHugh, BACP

Sharon McHugh is a counsellor who specialises in supporting people to heal from anxiety and trauma rooted in difficult childhoods, teenage years, or early adulthood. She works with individuals who grew up in environments where being themselves was not possible, and who developed coping strategies that later contribute to low self-esteem, people pleasing, or a sense of emptiness. Sharon offers a client-led approach so that each session belongs to the person seeking help and focuses on what they want to bring to the room.

Her style is open and empathetic. In an initial meeting she and the client discuss goals and make a plan for how counselling can help reach them. During sessions she asks thoughtful questions to explore experiences in depth and to understand life from the client’s perspective, enabling a clearer sense of what is happening and what might change.

Sharon has worked in both private practice and external agencies, bringing practical experience supporting people with anxiety and trauma. She holds qualifications as an Integrative Counsellor at Level 4, meaning she is trained in multiple counselling approaches; she is a Cognitive Behaviour Therapist at Level 5, indicating advanced training in CBT techniques; and she holds a diploma in Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy. She follows the guidelines and ethics of the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists and continues professional development through additional training. Sharon looks forward to working collaboratively with clients as they heal and grow.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

Sharon integrates client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and hypnotherapy into her online practice. Client-centered therapy focuses on creating a space where the client directs the conversation and explores their own thoughts and feelings; it is useful for building self-awareness, trust, and emotional clarity. CBT is a practical, skills-based approach that helps identify unhelpful thought and behaviour patterns and develop alternative ways of coping, often used for anxiety, depression, and trauma-related symptoms. Hypnotherapy involves guided relaxation and focused attention to support therapeutic change and can be helpful for issues like sleep problems, stress, and breaking unhelpful habits.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Sharon works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adapts techniques as therapy progresses to find the most effective combination.

Online therapy with Sharon is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility to fit different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to access regular support from registered professionals without needing to travel, and they allow clients to continue work between sessions in ways that suit their daily life.