Sharon McHugh, BACP

Sharon McHugh is a counsellor registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) with seven years' experience. She works with people carrying anxiety, trauma, grief and a range of life stresses including addiction and issues around self‑esteem. Sharon also lists a focus on guilt and shame among other concerns.She offers a client-led way of working where the person brings what they need to each session. The first meeting is used to clarify goals and make a plan together.Sh aron uses questions to help people explore what they say and to understand their life from their point of view. That process aims to make sense of patterns that developed while growing up in difficult or restrictive environments.She has worked in both private practice and external agencies. This background includes helping people who learned coping strategies in childhood that later leave them feeling empty, people pleasers, or unsure who they are. Sharon describes common outcomes of those histories as low self‑esteem and a sense of not knowing oneself.Sharon trained as an Integrative Counsellor to Level 4 and as a Cognitive Behaviour Therapist at Level 5, and she holds a diploma in Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy. She attends ongoing courses to broaden her methods and to keep skills current. She welcomes exploring changes with people who want to understand and move through old patterns.

How Sharon uses talking therapies online

Sharon draws on Client‑Centered therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in clear, practical ways. Client‑Centered work means the person leads sessions and Sharon listens to understand how life looks from their point of view. CBT involves looking at thoughts, feelings and behaviours and trying small changes to ease distress and improve day to day functioning.

She also uses Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills, which focus on managing strong emotions and building coping strategies for intense moments. DBT skills can help with impulsivity, panic and relationship stress by teaching practical techniques for staying steady during difficult times.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Sharon will discuss goals and preferences and suggest which methods might suit the concern you bring. This is a collaborative process and can be adjusted as you go.

The original biography does not list specific online formats, so please confirm which session types are available before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit counselling around work, family and travel, allow shorter check‑in meetings when useful, and offer options for conversations without needing to travel. Registered or accredited professionals can use different formats to match your needs and routines.