About me
Shaun Canavan, MBACP (Accredited)
MSc, BSc (Hons) – Integrative Psychotherapist
You don’t have to face things alone. If you’re ready to take that first step, I’m here to walk alongside you, offering steadiness, warmth, and the tools you need to move forward in a way that feels manageable and true to you.
Welcome
I’m Shaun, a BACP Accredited Psychotherapist based in Hertford. If you’ve found your way here, something in life may be feeling heavy, confusing, or simply too much to carry on your own. Reaching out can feel daunting, and I want to acknowledge the courage it takes to even consider speaking to someone.
People come to me when life feels unsettled, when emotions are quietly building, when grief feels too big to hold alone, or when old patterns resurface and no longer make sense. You might be feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to move forward. You might simply want a space where you can breathe and be yourself without pressure or judgement.
Whatever brings you here, you’re welcome. My intention is to offer a gentle, steady, compassionate space where you feel safe, held, valued, and truly heard as you make sense of what’s happening in your life.
Who I Work With
I support adults navigating emotional, relational, and life‑stage challenges, including:
- Depression, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm
Trauma and the long‑term impact of stress - Relationship issues, attachment patterns, and separation
Grief, bereavement, and loss - Identity shifts, retirement, and later‑life transitions
Some people arrive with clear goals. Others come simply needing somewhere to begin. Both are completely okay. You don’t need the “right words” or a clear understanding of what’s going on; we can gently find that together. We’ll move at your pace, following what feels important and supportive for you.
How We Work Together
Therapy with me is a gentle, collaborative conversation. You’re not expected to arrive with answers or a clear story. We’ll explore things together, slowly and safely, in a way that feels natural rather than clinical.
My integrative approach draws on:
- PCE‑CfD (Person‑Centred Experiential Counselling for Depression)
- Humanistic and emotion‑focused therapies
- Cognitive and behavioural approaches
- Attachment‑informed and relational work
- Coaching principles to help you build confidence, clarity, and practical steps forward
The heart of the work is our relationship. I pay close attention to how you experience the world, what feels overwhelming, and what helps you feel grounded and understood.
We’ll go at a pace that feels safe for you — pausing whenever you need, and making sure you never feel pushed or rushed. Alongside emotional support, I can offer practical tools and strategies to help you manage difficult feelings, build resilience, and move forward with greater steadiness.
Sessions are available:
- In person (Hertford)
- Online
- Blended
Background & Experience
Before becoming a therapist, I served in the Royal Marines and later spent over two decades in frontline roles in the emergency services. These experiences shaped my understanding of pressure, trauma, resilience, and the quiet ways emotional strain can build over time.
Alongside private practice, I work in the mental health sector, providing bereavement services and talking therapies to support individuals with complex and diverse needs. This combination of lived and professional experience helps me offer a grounded, calm presence. Someone who understands what it means to hold things together for others while carrying their own unseen weight.
What Clients Say
(Shared with permission)
Bereavement “After a tragic bereavement, Shaun guided me with kindness, empathy, and expert reassurance. I felt truly listened to and validated. Life now feels brighter, and my path through grief is clearer.”
Depression & Relationship Difficulties “Shaun helped me navigate complex feelings and challenge negative thought patterns. The tools he gave me now support me every day. I’m very grateful for his help and support.”
Beginning Therapy
Starting therapy doesn’t have to feel like a big leap. I offer a free, gentle, no‑pressure phone or video call so you can get a sense of me, ask questions, and see whether the fit feels right. There’s no expectation or commitment, just a chance to talk and explore what you might need.
When You’re Ready
You don’t have to navigate everything alone. Therapy can offer a steady hand, a clearer path, or simply a place to rest and make sense of things. Whenever you feel ready, I’m here, and you’re welcome to reach out in your own time.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications & Professional Membership
- Accredited Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP Accred)
- MSc Psychological Therapies and Interventions
- BSc (Hons) Counselling
- PCE‑CfD Qualified Practitioner
- City & Guilds Coaching and Mentoring
- Enhanced DBS
- Fully insured
- Registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
I work with a strong commitment to confidentiality, ethical practice, and relational integrity.
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
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
Photos & videos
Fees
£60.00 per session
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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Further information
As an integrative Psychotherapist and life 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.
