Sharon McHugh, BACP

Sharon McHugh is a counsellor who focuses on helping people recover from anxiety and trauma rooted in difficult upbringing experiences. She aims to create a calm space where clients lead the session and bring what matters to them. Sharon uses an open, empathetic style to support people as they heal and grow into the person they want to be.

Her practice begins with a first session that looks at goals and what the client wants to gain from counselling. From there she and the client make a practical plan to move forward. Sharon asks questions to help understand the client’s life from their perspective and to make sense of recurring patterns and feelings.

Sharon has worked in private practice and in external agencies over seven years. She has supported people dealing with anxiety and trauma that grew from environments where they could not be themselves. These experiences can lead to low self-esteem, people-pleasing and a sense of not knowing who you are. Her work focuses on helping people notice those patterns and find starting points for change.

Her training includes an Integrative Counsellor qualification to Level 4, a Cognitive Behaviour Therapist qualification at Level 5, and a diploma in Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy. Sharon keeps learning through ongoing courses that broaden how she works and add tools for sessions.

She works with issues such as stress, grief, addictions, ADHD, relationship and intimacy-related difficulties, sleep problems, career concerns and compassion fatigue. Sharon practises in the United Kingdom and conducts sessions in English.

How Sharon’s approaches work for online counselling

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening and understanding the person at the centre of the work. The therapist follows your lead and helps you explore thoughts and feelings without judgement, which can help with low self-esteem, people-pleasing and identity concerns.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings and behaviours interact and offers practical tools to change unhelpful patterns. It is often used for anxiety, panic, phobias, low mood and some sleep problems.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) brings skills for managing strong emotions, tolerating distress and improving relationships. It can be helpful when impulsivity, intense emotions or interpersonal difficulties are causing problems.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. Sharon will discuss which methods might suit your goals and needs, and she adapts sessions in collaboration with you. That way the plan reflects what feels workable and relevant to everyday life.

If you are considering online therapy, check the current session options before booking so you know what formats are offered. Online sessions can make it easier to fit counselling into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. Many people find these practical benefits help them maintain regular contact with a therapist while they work on stress, trauma and life changes.