Sharon McHugh

• Anxiety and trauma
• Cognitive behavioural work
• Hypnotherapy and DBT

About Sharon

Sharon McHugh works on anxiety, trauma from a difficult upbringing and related issues using a client-led approach. She is a member of the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) and has seven years' experience.

Sharon begins by asking what the person wants to gain from counselling. Sessions are led by the client and she invites them to bring whatever they wish to discuss. She describes her role as asking questions to help make sense of a person's experience from their point of view.

Her work focuses on problems that can follow growing up where it was not possible to be yourself. These include low self-esteem, people-pleasing, feeling disconnected from who you are, anxiety, and trauma-related difficulties. She also supports people with grief, relationship and intimacy issues, sleeping problems, and work-related strain such as compassion fatigue.

Sharon uses an integrative skill set that includes client-centred ways of working, cognitive behavioural techniques, dialectical behaviour strategies, hypnotherapy, and solution-focused methods. She helps people look at current patterns, try practical strategies, and set short-term goals when appropriate.

Her background includes work in private practice and external agencies. She holds a Level 4 qualification in Integrative Counselling, a Level 5 qualification in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, and a diploma in Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy. Sharon attends ongoing courses in line with BACP guidance to maintain and broaden her therapeutic skills.

How therapeutic approaches are used in online sessions

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on the person at the centre of the work and means the counsellor listens and follows what the client brings to the session. It helps when someone needs space to talk and to be heard without pressure.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) looks at patterns of thinking and behaviour and introduces practical exercises to change unhelpful habits. It is often used for anxiety, low mood and sleeping problems.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) offers skills for managing emotions, improving distress tolerance and handling difficult interactions. It can be useful for impulsivity, intense emotions and self-regulation issues.

Finding the right approach is part of starting work together. The counsellor will discuss goals, try different methods where needed, and agree a plan in collaboration with the client based on needs and preferences.

If you are considering online sessions, confirm which formats are currently offered before booking as the biography does not list them. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and avoid travel time. Registered or accredited professionals and therapists often adapt exercises, homework and skill practice to suit remote sessions so the work remains practical and goal-focused.

Topics Sharon lists

• Stress and anxiety
• Trauma and abuse
• Grief
• Coping with life changes
• ADHD
• Addictions
• Relationship issues
• Intimacy-related issues
• Sleeping disorders
• Self-esteem
• Career difficulties
• Depression
• Compassion fatigue
• Codependency
• Drug and alcohol addiction
• Emptiness
• First responder issues
• Guilt and shame
• Impulsivity
• Life purpose
• Midlife crisis
• Veteran and armed forces issues
• Panic disorder and panic attacks
• Phobias
• Post-traumatic stress
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
• Quitting smoking or vaping
• Social anxiety and phobia
• Women's issues
• Workplace issues
• Young adult issues

Ways of working

• Client-Centred Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
• Hypnotherapy
• Solution-Focused Therapy
• Trauma-Focused Therapy
• Internal Family Systems

Questions about Sharon

Does she work with anxiety?

Yes. Anxiety and related problems such as panic and social anxiety are among the areas she works on.

What kind of counselling does she offer?

She uses client-centred methods alongside cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behaviour techniques, hypnotherapy and solution-focused work.

How long has she practised?

She has seven years of counselling experience in private practice and external agencies.

Is she registered with a professional body?

Yes. She is a member of the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP).

Can I have sessions in another language?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are available?

Please confirm current session options before booking as the biography does not specify formats.

How much do sessions cost?

Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.

How do I start counselling with her?

Select the Talk to a counsellor online button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.