Counsellor profile
Sharmaine O'Keefe, BACP
BACP counsellor - Family and parenting concerns
Continue with SharmaineAbout
- Stress and anxiety
- Parenting support
- CBT and ACT
About Sharmaine
Sharmaine O'Keefe is a BACP counsellor in the United Kingdom with four years' experience. She works with adults on issues such as stress, anxiety, parenting, relationships, family concerns, trauma and grief. She also supports people with eating and body image concerns, self-esteem, workplace pressures and life changes.
Sharmaine trained to master's level in counselling and is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Before qualifying she worked as a lawyer, teacher and lecturer, and she has practised in private settings, senior schools and charities. That range of experience informs how she talks with people about practical problems and everyday pressures.
Her approach is integrative. She commonly uses cognitive behavioural techniques, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and solution-focused steps, alongside mindfulness practices. Sessions aim to identify unhelpful patterns, try small changes and build skills for coping with stress and emotional pain.
When parenting is causing strain she helps parents sort through immediate problems and longer term patterns. For family of origin issues and relationship tension she focuses on what can be changed in day-to-day interactions. For eating and body image concerns she works on thoughts and behaviours around food and self-image.
Sharmaine speaks English and has worked with people from varied cultural backgrounds. She asks people to choose an online therapy option and complete a short matching questionnaire before booking a first session. Costs vary by location and use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How sessions work
Therapeutic approaches and online sessions
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on noticing thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them and choosing actions that reflect personal values. It can help with anxiety, depression and life changes by building psychological flexibility.Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviours. It helps people test unhelpful thoughts and try small behavioural changes to reduce anxiety, panic and low mood.
She will work with clients to find which approach fits best. That choice is collaborative and may change over time as goals and circumstances become clearer. The therapist uses feedback from sessions to adjust techniques and priorities so the work stays relevant to daily life.
Session arrangements should be confirmed before booking, as the profile does not list specific formats. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy around school runs, work breaks or other commitments, and it can allow shorter check-ins when a full session is not needed. When you use the service, follow the steps to complete the matching questionnaire and then schedule a first appointment to discuss practical arrangements.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
4+ years
Listed in
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of family and parenting concerns does she address?
She helps people with parenting stress, family conflict and issues coming from family of origin. She also supports parents facing pressures around pregnancy, childbirth and fertility.
How would she describe her therapeutic style?
Her work is integrative and practical, drawing on cognitive behavioural methods, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and solution-focused techniques. Mindfulness exercises are also used to help with stress and emotional regulation.
How much experience does she have?
She has four years' experience counselling in private practice, senior school settings and charities. Prior work as a lawyer, teacher and lecturer informs her practical approach.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and works from the United Kingdom.
Can I have sessions in another language or from another country?
Sessions are offered in English. She is not currently accepting international clients outside the United Kingdom.
What session formats are offered?
Please confirm current session options before booking by using the online therapy options button and the matching questionnaire. The profile does not list explicit session formats.
How much do sessions cost?
Costs vary with location and are provided through a subscription that can be cancelled at any time. Specific fees are given when you follow the booking steps.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule a first session through the system.
Details come from information the counsellor supplied to BetterHelp. A registration can be checked with the body that issued it.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.