About me
Shaun Canavan, MBACP
BSc (Hons), MSc | Counsellor and Trauma-Informed Therapist | Based in Hertford
Hello, and welcome. I'm Shaun, a therapist based in Hertford, dedicated to creating a safe, compassionate space for adults navigating life's more challenging chapters. Whether you're facing bereavement, relationship transitions, retirement, or the lasting effects of trauma, I'm here to help you feel supported, seen, and empowered.
Having initially trained in the military and with over 20 years of frontline experience in the emergency services, my approach is shaped by a trauma-informed perspective rooted in real-world resilience, empathy, and insight. I understand how overwhelming life can feel and how vital it is to feel truly heard and understood.
How I work
No two people are the same, and therapy should reflect that. I take a collaborative, personalised approach tailored to your needs, drawing from a blend of humanistic and evidence-based therapies, including:
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – offering structure, clarity, and practical tools for managing overwhelming thoughts and emotions.
Person-centred therapy – creating a warm, accepting space to explore what matters most.
Attachment and psychodynamic approaches – uncovering how past experiences shape present challenges and relationships.
Existential therapy – making space for meaning, purpose, and identity during times of change.
Whether you prefer a solution-focused approach or reflective self-exploration, we'll shape the process around what feels most supportive for you.
What I can help with
I support clients with a wide range of challenges, including:
Bereavement and grief.
Relationship issues and separation.
Trauma and post-traumatic stress.
Retirement and identity transitions.
Stress, complex depression, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm.
In addition to private practice, I bring over five years of experience working in mental health services, supporting individuals with complex and diverse needs.
Starting therapy
Reaching out can feel daunting. That's why I offer a free, no-obligation phone or video call, an opportunity to ask questions, explore your needs, and see whether I'm the right fit for you.
Visit my website: https://www.shauncanavancounselling.com/
Qualifications and professional membership
Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
BSc (Hons) - Counselling.
MSc - Psychological Therapies and Interventions.
City & Guilds – Coaching and Mentoring.
Enhanced DBS checked.
Fully insured.
Registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
Confidentiality, ethical practice, and your trust are at the heart of my work.
You don't have to face things alone. If you're ready to take the first step toward healing, clarity, and renewed resilience, I invite you to get in touch. Let's begin this journey forward together at your own pace.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications:
- Master's Degree: MSc in Psychological Therapies and Interventions
- Bachelor's Degree: BSc (Hons) in Counselling
- Certification: Level 5 in Coaching and Mentoring
Professional Experience:
- 5 years of service in the military
- Over 25 years of experience working in the emergency services
- More than 6 years of experience working in the mental health charity sector
Member organisations
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
All aspects of life coaching and personal development.
Therapies offered
Fees
£60.00 - £80.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I understand that reaching out can feel daunting. That’s why I offer a free, no-obligation phone or video call, an opportunity to ask questions, explore your needs, and see whether I’m the right fit for you.
Why not take a look at my website: https://www.shauncanavancounselling.com/
When I work
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I offer online appointments Monday through Friday, 9 am - 7 pm.
Depending on availability, in-person appointments are on request at my office in Hertford.
Further information
As an integrative therapist and coach, I tailor my approach to meet your unique needs, drawing on a wide range of therapeutic modalities for which I'm trained. These include:
Attachment therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Existential therapy
Humanistic approaches
Person-centred therapy
Emotion-Focused Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy
Positive psychology
Relational therapy
Solution-focused therapy
Trauma-informed therapy
Person-centred Experiential Counselling for Depression
Coaching
Whether you're seeking practical strategies, deeper insight, or space for reflection and meaning-making, I'll work collaboratively with you to tailor a therapeutic process that feels right for where you're emotionally, relationally, and personally.
