Sharon McHugh , BACP

Sharon McHugh specialises in supporting people who carry anxiety and trauma from difficult early life experiences, whether those challenges began in childhood, adolescence or early adulthood. She approaches each person with openness and empathy, offering a space led by the client where thoughts and feelings can be explored without pressure or judgement.

Sessions focus on the client's priorities - at the first meeting Sharon discusses goals and collaborates on a plan to work toward them. She uses thoughtful questioning to deepen understanding of each person's experience, aiming to see life through the client's perspective and to make sense of patterns that no longer serve them.

Sharon has worked in both private practice and external agencies with people struggling with anxiety and trauma arising from environments where it was not safe to be oneself. She has supported clients who developed coping strategies that later contributed to low self-esteem, people-pleasing, or a sense of not knowing who they are - moments when a change feels necessary but uncertain.

Her training includes qualification as an Integrative Counsellor to Level 4, certification as a Cognitive Behaviour Therapist to Level 5, and a diploma in Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy. She also holds BACP affiliation and regularly completes further training to broaden her skills and offer a range of approaches to suit individual needs. Sharon looks forward to working with people who are ready to begin that journey.

Approaches for online therapy and practical care

Sharon McHugh draws on Client-Centered Therapy, which places the client at the centre of the therapeutic process and emphasizes empathy, active listening and the individual's own capacity for growth - this approach is often helpful for people working through low self-esteem, identity questions and relational patterns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to identify and adjust unhelpful thoughts and behaviours; it offers structured strategies for managing anxiety, panic, phobias and mood-related concerns. Hypnotherapy is offered as an adjunctive approach that uses guided relaxation and focused attention to address issues such as habit change, stress responses and sleep difficulties.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey rather than a single decision made at the start. Sharon works collaboratively with each person to explore which methods fit their goals, preferences and practical needs, and she adapts the plan as progress unfolds.

Online therapy sessions - by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging - make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives and to access care from different locations. These options offer flexibility in scheduling, allow for continuity of work between sessions, and make it possible for therapists and clients to maintain momentum in a way that suits the individual's routine.