Sharon Hastings

Hello, I'm Sharon.

Are you finding life stressful or challenging just now? Do you feel 'stuck', anxious or overwhelmed, unhappy with how things are, but unsure what to do or how to change things for the better? I know from experience that talking to a counsellor can help you to make sense of it all. I like to think that having counselling is like giving yourself a gift – a gift that says ‘yes’ to you and to the hope that your life can get better. Counselling can help you to let go of the 'stuff' that may have been holding you back for years, to work through things life has thrown at you and to finally be happy in yourself, in who you are and to be the best 'you' that you can be.

Change is never easy but there is hope, and it is possible for life to change in a way that has meaning for you. And you don't have to do it alone. This is where I come in with ‘Iremia Counselling’. 'Iremia' is a Greek word that means peace or tranquillity. Peace is a treasure that we all need in our lives. If your peace seems shaken by life's challenges, I invite you to let me help you find and reclaim it.

I can offer you a safe space where you can explore your feelings and the issues that are causing you anxiety or emotional distress. I will journey with you, as you explore what is going on in your life and support you to make the changes that may be needed to help you move towards personal growth, greater inner strength and resilience.

How I work

As an experienced integrative counsellor, I combine complementary counselling approaches and tailor them to your needs. For example, I consider how your early attachments impact your adult life, I use aspects of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, to help you to identify unhelpful thinking patterns and how they can be challenged and I use aspects of Transactional Analysis, to help you to understand how you relate to others and to see if these patterns of relating work for you, or against you. I also integrate creative approaches, as they can help to give you a unique insight into yourself and your situation.

When working with couples, I look to see how the emotional disconnection that has brought you to counselling, can be restored.

When working with children and young people I look to give them the space to explore how they feel about themselves, their lives and the issues they are facing in a way that makes sense to them. This can include using play, stories, clay, games, creativity and ‘just’ talking!

I usually work face to face but also provide counselling online via Instant Messaging (IM), telephone and video - especially during this COVID-19 period. Online counselling gives you the opportunity to access counselling support at a time and in a place which is convenient to you and can provide support for a broad range of personal difficulties. I can give you more information on having online counselling; contact me to find out more.

Take that first step

Exploring the difficulties you are facing can be painful and challenging, but it can also be empowering and liberating. You owe it to yourself to give it a go – to give yourself the opportunity to rediscover (and may be reclaim) who you are and the life you want to live. It takes courage to change and you have already taken that first step by being here. Take the next step and contact me to have an initial chat to see how counselling can help you. Decide today not to be reduced by your situation. Come to counselling as you are and leave the way you want to be.

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” Maya Angelou

Individual counselling: £50 per session

Couples Counselling: £60 per session

Student counsellors: £40 per session