Phew! It’s Normal. An Age by Age Guide for What to Expect From Kids & Teens – And What They Need From Us

I have had the pleasure of working with Sharon in a range of environments in New Zealand and UK and have seen her reach out and connect in inspirational ways with both students and adults. Her positivity is infectious and she is often the catalyst for turning people’s lives around. Sharon is the ultimate compassionate professional and I still turn to her for support as I navigate my way through the transitions of life.

Sharon is an amazing counsellor and mentor. She is warm, kind and easy to connect with. She has a wonderful sense of humour that makes everyone relax in her company. Sharon loves people and is committed to their growth and freedom. She’s a great person to work with if you want to feel understood and nurtured. Sharon will create a safe space for you to move through challenges that have you feeling anxious and stuck. She really is a one of a kind woman and counsellor and I cannot recommend her services enough.

Thank you isn’t enough!! You are amazing and I really can’t thank you enough for all your listening, understanding, advice, guidance, reassurance and support through my difficult time. Couldn’t have done it without you.

Seren, Newport.

Sharon was there to guide me through a deep state of depression, stress and anxiety. What Sharon taught me has stayed with me and continues to help me. Sharon’s obvious love of her profession was clear to me when she enthusiastically told me during one of my sessions of new research she was delving into to expand her understandings and help those who needed it even more. Her genuine empathy no matter your background is second to none and creates an immediate safe and secure environment. There are many other reasons why she is the only therapist I continue to recommend. As Hogwarts gradings go Sharon is most definitely Outstanding.

Frances (Newport)

Sharon had a huge impact supporting and coaching my daughter through an extremely difficult time. She was patient, thoughtful and caring and was able to provide reassurance and coping strategies that enabled my daughter to maintain her studies and school life. She was also a great source of counsel to me during an incredibly challenging time. Sharon works hard to really understand the deep-rooted problems and provides very helpful insights and tactics to make things better.

Sharon was the inspiration I required to pull myself out of the dark moment I was in. She was engaged throughout the process and is a genuinely caring person, with me feeling valued and appreciated as a person rather than just a client. I would recommend her without a moments pause as she has changed my life completely. I was previously an anxious guy , with little self-confidence or belief in myself and my decision making. Through learning these skills I have made positive changes in my life and will continue to be strong in my convictions. I can assure you that anyone starting out with Sharon will be blessed with a positive outlook and new innovative ideas to guide you along your own path after your course of sessions is complete.

Alex (Newport)

All I can say is thank you for bringing my boy back. It’s no exaggeration to say he looks better and sounds better . I know it’s early stages and there are still lots of things to overcome. Thank you again for helping us all as a family because it’s not just one,  it’s all at the end of the day.

Linda (Mother of 19 year old client)

I got in touch with Sharon when I reached a particularly low point, where my anxiety levels had spoilt yet another holiday. She immediately made me feel welcome and has a wonderfully calm and relaxing personality, which put me at ease. I already had another holiday planned, so her challenge was, in 3 months, to calm me enough to get me through the airport and onto the plane. I have to say she achieved this brilliantly and I had a wonderful stress free holiday, the first in many years. She has now given me the tools I need to recognise and manage my anxieties; I enjoyed every session with her and always came away feeling relaxed and positive.

I’d almost convinced myself that no one would truly be able to understand my past and how my circumstances had got me to such a dark, lonely and unhappy state of being. But Sharon patiently listened to and absorbed every word I had to say, and in a short space of time was able to demonstrate incredible insight into the inner workings of my mind, challenge them, and offer practical advice on how to help change them for the better.She has instilled an incredible amount of self-worth and belief in me, of which I was so desperately lacking. I particularly found the ‘sand-play’ therapy to be very powerful and therapeutic. Her gentle and kind demeanour was always so effortless, and I experienced nothing but genuine concern and care throughout our sessions. Ultimately, she has sent me on my journey of self-acceptance and through her I have learned that healing is not about fixing what is broken, but about re-discovering what was never broken to begin with. I’m forever grateful to her, for she has changed the course of my life. My only wish is that I’d reached out for her help and guidance far sooner. 

Sharon is a very gifted counsellor – she listens both to and through your words and finds the places that can help unlock your problems and move forward. She’s very intuitive – she is fun when you need your spirits lifting, challenging when you need to be pushed, strong and wise when you need to lean on someone. I have the utmost trust and respect for her professionalism and experience.

Sharon is an amazing counsellor and mentor. She is warm, kind and easy to connect with. She has a wonderful sense of humour that makes everyone relax in her company. Sharon loves people and is committed to their growth and freedom. She’s a great person to work with if you want to feel understood and nurtured. Sharon will create a safe space for you to move through challenges that have you feeling anxious and stuck. She really is a one of a kind woman and counsellor and I cannot recommend her services enough.

Simone (NZ)

Sharon has been an invaluable support to me through difficult times in my life. She is empathetic, understanding, and skilled. Sharon has the ability to gently challenge when appropriate which I have always appreciated. Through talking with Sharon I have come to a deeper understanding of
myself, and others around me, and made some important life changes. She also has a wonderful sense of humour! I highly recommend her to anyone who needs clarity in their life

Sharon is an outstanding therapist and I totally recommend her for all sorts of reasons. She is a perceptive listener who not only relates to people of all ages and stages but is able to identify and connect easily with peoples’ issues at hand. Sharon’s supportive and realistic strategies and tools meant I was able to put into practice behaviours that I simply had never thought of before my consultations. Sharon is dedicated, kind, caring and strong and someone who I would highly recommend as an excellent counsellor.

I saw Sharon as a teenager who was just coming to terms with their mental health. I had seen so many different therapists who I just didn’t connect with but then I had my first session with Sharon and she was so welcoming and open and safe. She saw me through anxiety, depression and sexual assault and I cannot thank her enough for all the progress I made as a young girl. The therapy I had with her set me up for better mental health as an adult and for that I am forever grateful

Sharon made me believe in myself.

Sharon has exceptional skills working with young people and their parents.
Her ability to help young people open up, while supporting parents through any difficulties, helps bring clarity for all. Bridging new awareness and building positive relationships between parent and child, brings a new perspective so lasting change can happen.
Basically Sharon knows what works and doesn’t and just this alone is gold!
Sharon not only works one on one but runs positive programmes for young people that you would want your child involved in, preparing and enriching them for life.

I just wanted to drop you an email to thank you for all the help and support you have given J___   over the past months. He is a confident and well young man now. You have given him his self-worth back, and his health both physically and mentally. I cannot thank you enough because even he admits if we hadn’t found you who knows what may have happened? All I can say is thank you for bringing my boy back and for helping us all as a family because it’s not just one,  it’s all at the end of the day .

(Mother of a 21 year old student who was struggling with anxiety, depression and bulimia).

We were so fortunate to have found Sharon at a time when our daughter’s self-esteem was at rock bottom and her anxiety levels were extreme. Sharon immediately took control of the situation and provided support and strategies not only for our daughter but for us as a family. We had at last found someone who was prepared to listen, acknowledge and offer positive help after years of being told that “it would be ok, she will grow out of it”. Our daughter completely trusted Sharon and with her calm, caring and reassuring manner, it became apparent to us very quickly that Sharon’s expertise was benefitting our daughter. We cannot recommend Sharon highly enough, she went above and beyond her role as counsellor for which we will always be extremely grateful

Counselling has helped because it makes me feel that I’m never alone and that if something is bothering me I can tell the counsellor (Sharon). It also helps because I can talk about anything, and Sharon won’t think it’s funny or stupid or dumb, but she will take it as if it means everything to her. Another reason is because she is so nice, and will do anything to help!

Sharon is a very kind and understanding person. I am grateful for all her help. She has helped me a lot with dealing with my emotions and anxiety. She has helped me realise that my pain is only temporary. I am extremely thankful for all of the support she has given me. I know that if I need help I will definitely contact Sharon again. She goes above and beyond to help.
Millie (Age 17)

I want to thank you for everything you have done for me, I am in a great place at the minute. I didn’t think this would be possible so quickly, but due to your incredible work I feel like a different person. Thank you! And it goes without saying that if I come across anybody that needs help I will be pointing them in your direction.

Dave, Newport