Shea McCartney, BACP, NCPS

Shea McCartney is a counsellor working in the United Kingdom with four years of experience. He brings a person-centred, trauma-aware outlook to sessions and aims to create a space where people feel heard and accepted. Shea writes in a straightforward way and focuses on helping people find practical steps forward.

He adapts his approach to each person rather than using one fixed method. In practice this means drawing on therapies such as client-centred work, cognitive behavioural ideas and trauma-focused approaches when they suit the client. Sessions often begin by listening closely to what matters most to the client and agreeing small, realistic goals to work towards.

Shea has experience from NHS mental health services and from organisations involved in child protection, trauma and suicide intervention. That background means he has worked with people facing anxiety, depression, trauma, bereavement, domestic abuse, relationship difficulties and significant life changes. He also supports those dealing with issues such as chronic pain, caregiver stress and compassion fatigue.

He aims to make therapy feel manageable, mixing careful listening with practical tools and sometimes lightness when appropriate. Therapy is presented as a collaboration where the client sets the pace and Shea helps them explore what is getting in the way and what might help next.

If you are trying to cope with stress, repetitive worrying, difficult memories, relationship struggles or changes linked to health and caring roles, Shea offers a steady, non-judgemental presence to work alongside you.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online counselling

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening and building a trusting relationship. The counsellor offers empathy and acceptance while the client leads the pace and topics, which can help with stress, self-esteem and relationship concerns.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and actions and teaches practical strategies to change unhelpful patterns. It can be useful for anxiety, low mood and sleep problems by introducing simple exercises and coping techniques.

Psychodynamic approaches pay attention to patterns from past experience that affect current relationships and feelings. This can help people make sense of recurring problems and gain new perspectives on long-standing issues.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Shea will discuss different options with each person and agree a plan based on their goals, needs and preferences. This is a collaborative process and can change as therapy progresses.

If you are considering online sessions, please confirm the specific session formats before booking as they are not stated in the biography. Many people find online appointments useful because they can fit a session into a busy day, avoid travel and choose a time that works around work or caring responsibilities. Online work can also make it easier to use short check-ins or focused skill practice between meetings, depending on the agreed format.