Ive been in therapy with Sharmaine for a year now and I cannot express the impact she has had on my life. I started therapy with paralysing anxiety. Never once did she make me feel wrong, isolated or guilty during this period. From the minute I spoke with Sharmaine she had full faith in me and my strength to overcome what I was going through even when I didn’t. She has fully helped me transform my life and I am beyond happy to say that I am the happiest I have ever been and now live a life that I never thought would be possible again, with new people, trying new things, allowing the anxiety that once paralysed me to push me towards new and better things. She continues to support, uplift and believe in me. Sharmaine has a way with people that I would never doubt her work and the affect she has on lives. She’s planted a version of myself that I never knew I could be and am so happy and proud of.
Sharmaine O'Keefe, BACP
Experienced mental health professional
Provides online counseling through BetterHelp
At a glance
Sharmaine is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.
- 4.5 stars
- Clients are very satisfied with Sharmaine. View 9 reviews
- Speaks English
- Offers Telehealth visits
- Licensed in United Kingdom
Recent reviews
As someone who hated therapy/talking, Sharmaine has made me love therapy. Instead of feeling stressed about going I now can’t wait. Very respectful and offers great convo without feeling forced or one way.
More about Sharmaine
- 4 years' experience
- Female
- BACP
Hello and welcome! My name is Sharmaine O'Keefe and I commend you for taking this step to make positive changes in your life. I understand that opening up to someone you don't know can feel daunting but with the right therapist, you will feel a sense of safety and trust and most importantly feel heard and understood. Having time and space dedicated just to you with a trained therapist can truly be life changing.
I am a Masters level qualified counsellor and licensed in the UK as a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. I am qualified to counsel clients of all ages and have experience in helping clients with many complex and diverse challenges including (but not limited to) stress and anxiety, family conflicts, parenting issues, depression, trauma, PTSD, grief, narcissistic abuse, eating disorders, study stress, learning difficulties, work related issues & coping with life changes.
My practice is integrative which means that I draw upon many counselling theories as each client is unique and not one approach meets all client needs. I use a holistic approach to different therapeutic models but mostly use Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT) and Mindfulness Techniques.
I have 4 years experience counselling clients in private practice, senior school settings and charities. Prior to qualifying as a therapist I worked as a lawyer, teacher and lecturer, careers which have added an invaluable proficiency to my work. I have lived and worked in several countries over many years which has developed a great awareness of the needs of clients from diverse cultural and social backgrounds.
I strive to create a warm and safe environment for my clients where thoughts and feelings can be shared openly without fear of judgment. My aim is to support my clients with empathy and kindness and I hope that together we can instil hope, achieve goals and enhance the meaning and value of your life.
Specialties
Treatment Approaches
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
Licenses
- BACP · United Kingdom · 393053 · Expires October 2025
About online counseling
- Affordable.
- Pay a low flat fee.
- Convenient.
- Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
- Available now.
- There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.
Online counseling allows you to receive care from a mental health practitioner via phone, video chat, or instant messaging. It is convenient for those who may have trouble getting to or would prefer not to have in-person therapy appointments. Starting at $65 per week, online counseling is generally more affordable than in-person counseling. A study by researchers at University of California, Berkeley found that online counseling can be just as effective as face-to-face therapy while being more convenient, affordable, and accessible.
Reviews for Sharmaine O'Keefe
All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.
Overall rating:
Ive been in therapy with Sharmaine for a year now and I cannot express the impact she has had on my life. I started therapy with paralysing anxiety. Never once did she make me feel wrong, isolated or guilty during this period. From the minute I spoke with Sharmaine she had full faith in me and my strength to overcome what I was going through even when I didn’t. She has fully helped me transform my life and I am beyond happy to say that I am the happiest I have ever been and now live a life that I never thought would be possible again, with new people, trying new things, allowing the anxiety that once paralysed me to push me towards new and better things. She continues to support, uplift and believe in me. Sharmaine has a way with people that I would never doubt her work and the affect she has on lives. She’s planted a version of myself that I never knew I could be and am so happy and proud of.
As someone who hated therapy/talking, Sharmaine has made me love therapy. Instead of feeling stressed about going I now can’t wait. Very respectful and offers great convo without feeling forced or one way.
Amazing and supportive therapist
Sharmaine is awesome, first therapist I’ve had that’s made me feel listened to and heard!
I can not recommend Sharmaine highly enough. She has helped me completely transform negative though processes, and has given me a pathway to coping on a particularly traumatic time in my life. Her expertise and empathy are second to none, and she provides excellent practical strategies that I adopt between sessions. I really look forward to our sessions each week, and feel so fortunate that I was matched with her.
I've been fortunate to have been in sessions with Sharmaine for a few months now, and I genuinely cannot express how highly I recommend her. Having worked with various therapists previously, I never experienced such a positive connection before. Sharmaine exudes an extraordinary level of support and understanding that truly makes me feel seen and heard. Her empathetic approach has been crucial in helping me navigate and overcome my challenges, particularly in relation to my ED issues. I am grateful for her compassionate guidance and unwavering support.
I have absolutely loved the time that Sharmaine and I have spent together in therapy. She is extremely professional yet personable. I have issues opening up but her demeanour is welcoming and warm that it felt easy for me, her initial warm greetings always made me feel safe and secure. Thank you for all that you do Sharmaine! x
I have only had 1 session but was very impressed with the session and her thoughts and suggestions aftwards. She is kind, thoughtful and professional. Thanks for your help
Sharmine has been extremely helpful to me in improving my mental health. She is very empathetic and provides insightful feedback and practical techniques that are really helpful.
Frequently asked questions
Does Sharmaine O'Keefe offer telehealth visits?
Yes. Sharmaine O'Keefe works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.
What language(s) does Sharmaine O'Keefe speak?
Sharmaine O'Keefe speaks English.
How many years of experience does Sharmaine O'Keefe have?
Sharmaine O'Keefe has 4 years of experience.
Where is Sharmaine O'Keefe licensed to practice?
Sharmaine O'Keefe is licensed to practice in the United Kingdom.
Does Sharmaine O'Keefe accept clients outside of the United Kingdom?
No, Sharmaine O'Keefe does not accept clients outside of the United Kingdom.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."
What treatment approaches does Sharmaine O'Keefe offer?
Sharmaine O'Keefe offers clients Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy.
How can I communicate with Sharmaine O'Keefe?
Sharmaine O'Keefe can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.
How do I get started with Sharmaine O'Keefe?
Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.
Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.
And recovery is possible.
When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.