About
Welcome to my web page my name is Sharon Doherty, I'm a counsellor and therapeutic yoga teacher. When working with clients I offer a holistic somatic approach to counselling and yoga individually, and where appropriate, I combine the benefits of yoga practices and counselling to offer a trauma informed yoga therapy approach to explore sensitive and complex issues in a safe space.
As a counsellor my specialism is supporting clients recover from the complicated nature of narcissistic relationships. I have also developed a particular interest in helping clients living with the ongoing physical and mental health issues attributed to an autoimmune condition.
You can visit my LinkedIn, Yoga Alliance Professionals, Counselling Directory and BACP profiles to learn more about me and how I work.
Individual Counselling
My passion for counselling adults and young people with a range of presenting issues comes from the personal challenges and life experiences I have faced in an age where counselling services and support was not as available as it is now.
My hope is to offer early intervention support to clients so they can start therapy sessions, without lengthy waiting times.
I have consulting rooms in Shotts and Glasgow.
Family Counselling
Families spending time with a counsellor can explore issues and better understand children's intentions and individual behaviour and the ways this can influence wider family dynamics.
There are many ways challenges and differences between adults and children within your family can show up including: confusion, conflict and misbehaviour.
Time in family therapy can be a safe place to identify and explore the meaning of these differences and begin the process of working together to find an appropriate solution.
I can offer family counselling appointments in Glasgow.
Supervision
I work with supervisees from voluntary and statutory organisations as well those in private practice to support and expand their edge of awareness as a professional counsellor or practitioner.
I encourage and support reflection and development around; legal issues, safeguarding, theoretical knowledge, ethical dilemmas and development of self awareness.
I offer clinical supervision in Glasgow and Shotts to practitioners from a range of modalities.
Therapeutic Yoga
Is a one to one trauma informed and embodied approach that integrates counselling and specific yoga practices to regulate the autonomic nervous system. This is especially useful when working with a range of physical and mental health issues
Working therapeutically 1:1 involves a consultation to understand your health and lifestyle needs, and helps inform which yoga practices would best support you. All sessions are respectful of your your body and it's existing range of movement and are adapted to help rehabilitate any injury.
In my practice the most common presentations are:
Anxiety
When practiced regularly, the individual combination of grounding, breath practices, yoga postures and relaxation balance and regulate the heightened "fight/flight" response of nervous system to be more able to access the parasympathetic nervous system or "rest and digest". These practices help to reduce the physical and mental and emotional symptoms of anxiety: poor sleep, shaking, restlessness, muscle tension, nausea, digestive problems, sweating, shortness of breath, palpitations, panic attacks, tiredness, negative thought cycles, excessive worry, poor focus and concentration, forgetfulness and irritability.
Depression
Clients experiencing depression can live with an everchanging range of emotional, physical and mental states that can have a significant impact on daily living. Depression can be characterised by persistent: low mood or sadness, low self-esteem, feeling hopeless and helpless, anxious or worried, guilt ridden, tearful and feeling irritable and intolerant toward others. Some common examples of physical symptoms include: disturbed sleep, lack of energy, changes in appetite and weight, unexplained aches and pains and low sex drive. Mental function can be impaired to varying degrees making it more difficult for clients to: make decisions, enjoy life and show motivation or interest and some clients can experience thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Research has indicated that clients experiencing depression show higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol and lower levels of key neurotransmitters, working regularly with specific yoga practices will begin to regulate the nervous system and alleviate the unwanted symptoms.
Trauma
Trauma symptoms can be complex, clients often report a range of physical, mental and emotional experiences. These can include disturbed sleep, nightmares or insomnia, flashbacks, repetitive distressing images and physical sensations including trembling, aches and pains,sweating and nausea, these can also contribute to difficulty concentrating and irritability and anger outbursts. These can occur immediately after a traumatic event or can be triggered at a later time. Working therapeutically with with individual yoga practices and counselling interventions equips clients with the tools to balance and regulate the movement between sympathetic and parasympathetic responses helps to build “vagal tone”, this means the clients nervous system has the capacity to develop more resilience and tolerance to internal and external stressors.
If you recognise individually or a combination of any of the above therapeutic yoga will equip you with the skills to address and self regulate the stress response in bodily systems and physiology and move from "fight/flight" (sympathetic NS) to "rest and digest" (parasympathetic NS).Home practice between sessions is an essential part of the process of restoring homeostasis in the body and effecting lasting change.
May Self Care: Nourish your Body
Now spring is here it may be a good time to consider what nourishment your body needs and how well you hydrate your body. Giving your body the right foods and adequate hydration are key factors for positive health and wellbeing.
Healthy Eating: Fuel with Purpose
Food is more than just fuel—it's nourishment for your body, brain, and soul. Embracing healthy eating isn’t about restriction; it’s about intention.
Healthy eating pillars:
- Whole foods first: Choose nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
- Balance, not perfection: A variety of colours and food groups on your plate helps meet your body’s needs.
- Mindful meals: Slow down, savour your food, and listen to your hunger and fullness cues.
- Eating with mindfulness and gratitude
- Creating balance through food—not restriction
Taking time to prepare your own food and eating a well-balanced diet including fresh fruit and vegetables regularly can positively influence: energy levels, mood, heart health mental health and your immune system.
When we eat ready meals or takeaway food it is often ultra processed and contains levels of ingredients detrimental to our health when eaten frequently: sugar, salt, trans fats, additives and preservatives.
Relying on these types of meals can lead to: weight gain, high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems, low mood/irritability, type 2 diabetes, brain fog, headaches, bloating, cravings, fatigue and digestive problems.
Hydration: The Foundation of Vitality
Water is life—and your body knows it. Staying hydrated helps your skin glow, supports digestion, boosts your mood, and keeps you mentally sharp. Water is essential to the body’s natural rhythms—just as breath is essential in yoga. Staying well-hydrated improves mental clarity, supports joint health, aids digestion, and keeps energy levels steady throughout your day.
Hydration tips:
- Start your day with a glass of water before your coffee.
- Carry a reusable water bottle to sip throughout the day.
- Infuse your water with fresh fruit, herbs, or cucumber for a refreshing twist.
- Pay attention to signs of dehydration: fatigue, headaches, dry skin, or brain fog.
- Starting the day with warm lemon water to awaken digestion
- Drinking herbal teas or infused water for gentle hydration
- Understanding the role of hydration in mental and emotional balance
Aim for about 8 cups a day, more if you're active or in hot weather. Remember, your body is about 60% water—keep it flowing!
Regular fluid intake throughout the day is also important to avoid symptoms of dehydration: thirst, dry mouth and lips, tiredness, dizziness, muscle cramps, dark urine, headaches and dry skin/eczema. Drinking water, fruit juice (not from concentrate) and herbal teas all have good hydration properties.
You can drink alcohol, fizzy drinks, tea and coffee, however, these have a diuretic effect on the body so worth keeping an eye on your consumption.
At the heart of wellness are the daily choices you make: what you eat, how you hydrate, and the way you show up for your body and mind.
