Sharon Lenihan

Life can sometimes feel exhausting when your mind rarely switches off. You might find yourself overthinking, worrying about things that haven't happened yet, replaying conversations, struggling with confidence or feeling emotionally overwhelmed. Perhaps you know you are anxious, or perhaps you just know that something doesn't feel quite right.

I work with adults and young people experiencing anxiety, ADHD and neurodiversity, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, intrusive thoughts and the lasting effects of trauma or difficult experiences. I also support women navigating the emotional and psychological impact of perimenopause and menopause. Whatever has brought you to counselling, you don't need to have everything worked out before you come.

Anxiety can show up in many different ways. It might be constant worry, panic, physical symptoms, difficulty making decisions, fear of getting things wrong or feeling as though you're always waiting for something to happen. Sometimes there is an obvious reason for it; at other times, understanding where it comes from can be part of the counselling process.

For women experiencing perimenopause or menopause, changes during this stage of life can sometimes feel unsettling or overwhelming. Anxiety, changes in mood, reduced confidence, difficulties with concentration, sleep disruption or simply feeling "not quite like yourself" can affect relationships, work and your sense of identity. Counselling can provide space to talk openly about what you're experiencing and explore the emotional impact of this transition alongside other pressures or changes happening in your life.

I also have experience supporting people with ADHD and neurodiversity. Living in a world that hasn't always understood the way you think, feel or respond can affect confidence and self-esteem and can contribute to anxiety, emotional overwhelm and difficulties within relationships. Counselling can offer space to understand yourself rather than continually feeling that you need to change or fit in.

A significant part of my work is supporting people who have experienced trauma, abuse or difficult experiences within childhood, families or relationships. Trauma isn't always one dramatic event. Sometimes it is the accumulation of experiences that have left you feeling unsafe, unheard, responsible for others or unsure of yourself.

You may not think of what happened to you as "trauma" at all, but recognise that experiences from your past continue to affect your relationships, confidence, anxiety or the way you respond to situations today.

Counselling gives you somewhere to slow things down and begin making sense of this. We can explore what you are experiencing now, where certain patterns or beliefs may have developed and what you might need moving forward. There is no expectation to talk about anything before you feel ready.

I am an experienced MBACP Registered Counsellor offering integrative counselling to adults and young people, both in person and online. Integrative therapy allows me to draw on different therapeutic approaches and adapt the way we work to you, rather than expecting you to fit into one particular model of counselling.

Before becoming a counsellor, I spent many years working with children, young people and adults in investigative and multi-agency settings, particularly where abuse, trauma and complex circumstances were involved. Alongside my therapeutic training, this has given me considerable experience of listening to and supporting people through extremely difficult experiences.

Above all, I want counselling to feel like somewhere you can be yourself. My approach is warm, down-to-earth and non-judgemental. You will be listened to, taken seriously and given the space to explore things at a pace that feels manageable for you.

You may come to counselling knowing exactly what you want help with, or simply knowing that you don't want to keep feeling the way you do. Either is completely okay.

If you're wondering whether counselling might help, or whether I might be the right counsellor for you, you're very welcome to get in touch.

Sessions are £40 per 50 minutes.

My practice

I offer in-person session in a comfortable, private therapy room in Wokingham.

I also work online using either Zoom, Facetime, Teams or WhatsApp video call or by phone.

Finding the right therapist for you is vital, therefore, if required, I am able to offer a no obligation initial 15 minute consultation at no charge. This will give you an idea of how I work and a feel as to whether or not you feel comfortable with me.

Client Feedback

** I honestly don't think we could have asked for a better person for our daughter to talk to and we are both so grateful.

**You are deep at the heart of all of my healing and have undoubtably helped me to be where I am now.  I can't ever thank you enough.

**Sharon is amazing and has helped me with going through a lot in a short space of time! Would recomend her to anyone. She is so calming and it helped a lot as she is very easy to talk to.

**I would highly recommend Sharon as a therapist. She creates a safe space where you can speak openly about your concerns and feelings without feeling judged. She allows you to feel heard and seen and offers great advice and future direction.

**She is given me a safe place. She was really helpful to try to understand my problem and guide me to the right help. Really recommend her.

**Extremely kind, thoughtful and honest. I can tell that she really cares about helping me.

**Very supportive and helps to guide me through the sessions, this is my first experience of therapy and I would recommend it to anyone who feels they are needing that support

Important Information

I have full Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance, I also have regular supervision. I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and adhere to their Code of Ethics for good practice.

I aim to keep my fees as low as possible, as I believe access to counselling should not be limited by cost.