Why People Seek Therapy
Many people come to counselling because they have reached a point in life where they feel overwhelmed, anxious, stuck or exhausted by trying to cope alone.
Therapy provides a confidential, compassionate space where you can make sense of your experiences, develop practical strategies and move towards lasting emotional wellbeing at a pace that feels right for you.
How I Can Help
Hello, I'm Sharon, and thank you for visiting my website.
I provide integrative psychotherapy and therapeutic yoga for adults and families across Glasgow and Lanarkshire.
Since qualifying in 2008, I've worked across the NHS, education, the voluntary sector, Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), insurance providers and private practice.
Alongside my psychotherapy work, I'm also a 500-hour qualified yoga teacher with extensive experience delivering individual sessions, classes and workshops.
You can visit my LinkedIn, Counselling Directory and BACP profiles to learn more about me and how I work.
Why choose Sharon
- 18+ years experience
- 5,000+ clients
- 14,000+ hours of therapy
This breadth of experience has enabled me to develop particular expertise in supporting people experiencing anxiety, depression, stress and trauma.
Every person is different, so I tailor therapy to your individual needs rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach.
My work combines evidence-based psychotherapy with mindfulness and therapeutic yoga where appropriate. Together, we'll explore what's contributing to your difficulties, identify practical ways forward and work towards meaningful, lasting change.
Above all, I aim to create a safe, compassionate and non-judgemental space where you feel heard, understood and supported.
Some of the Issues I Can Support
Emotional Wellbeing
- Anxiety & Panic Attacks
- Depression
- Anger
- Low Confidence & Self-Esteem
- OCD
- Trauma & PTSD
- Self-Harm & Suicidal Ideation
Relationships & Life Changes
- Family & Relationship Difficulties
- Separation & Divorce
- Bereavement, Loss & Grief
Neurodiversity
- ADHD
- ASD
Addictions & Eating Difficulties
- Addictions
- Eating Disorders
Health & Rehabilitation
- Chronic Pain
- Back Pain
- Autoimmune Conditions
- Rehabilitation Following Illness, Surgery, Injury or Stroke
What to expect
- Comprehensive assessment
- 50 or 75 minute sessions
- Weekly or fortnightly appointments
- Meet in person (yoga therapy is available in person only) or online
- Therapy tailored to individual needs
Through psychotherapy and yoga therapy, clients may experience:
Emotional Wellbeing
- Reduced anxiety, stress and overwhelm
- Relief from symptoms of depression and burnout
- Greater ability to manage difficult emotions
- Increased sense of calm, balance and wellbeing
Personal Growth & Resilience
- Improved emotional regulation and resilience
- Greater self-awareness and self-understanding
- Increased confidence and self-esteem
- Better coping strategies for life's challenges
Relationships & Life Transitions
- Healthier relationships and communication skills
- Support in processing trauma, grief and major life transitions
- Improved focus, clarity and decision-making
Mind & Body Wellbeing
- Improved sleep and relaxation
- Reduced physical tension and stress-related symptoms
- Enhanced mind-body connection and body awareness
Meaning & Fulfilment
- A deeper sense of purpose, meaning and connection
Therapeutic sessions can be offered from:
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Glasgow 34 West George St, first floor, Glasgow, G2 1DA |
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Shotts A comfortable location in Shotts, full detail will be given when on confirmation of appointment. |
Taking the first step towards support can feel daunting, but you do not have to navigate life's challenges alone
If you're ready to begin your journey towards greater wellbeing, clarity, and balance, contact me today to arrange an appointment.
August Self Care: Pranayama
When we become stressed or, the opposite when we are repeatedly inactive this changes the way we breathe. Fortunately, our breath is the only part of the autonomic nervous system that can deliberately manipulated.
This ability can be really useful when people are experiencing anxiety or depression, changes in physiology can cause the breath to lose its instinctive natural flow. Either becoming too fast and shallow, which can agitate our stress levels or not breathing adequately enough which can influence changes in mood and perpetuate feeling depressed.
If you recognise either of these, taking some time to observe and connect with your breath can help restore balance. A good place to start is checking how many times you breath in 1 minute an adult at rest averages between 10-15.
Taking time to ground by tuning into your body as you sit in a comfortable seated position utilising conscious diaphragm breathing, working to have a manageable count of equal duration inhale and exhale, can encourage more oxygen into the lower lungs. Aim for 5 minutes, when practiced regularly the count and duration can begin to increase.
Pranayama - the Art of Breath for Mind, Body & Spirit
Discover the ancient science of Pranayama, the yogic practice of conscious breath control. Pranayama is a cornerstone of yogic living and a profound tool for transformation. Whether you're looking to reduce stress, boost vitality, or deepen your spiritual connection, undertaking regular pranayama practice can support your yogic journey.
What is Pranayama?
Prana means “life force,” and ayama means “to extend or control.” Pranayama is more than deep breathing—it’s a precise method of harnessing your breath to influence your energy, emotions, and overall wellbeing.
Benefits of Pranayama?
The power of the breath, through specific techniques, you can:
- Calm the nervous system
- Improve concentration
- Strengthen immunity
- Release emotional blockages
- Enhance spiritual awareness
- Reduce anxiety & stress
- Improve lung capacity & oxygen flow
- Increase mental clarity & focus
- Support meditation & mindfulness
- Boost energy and vitality
- Balance the doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha)
- Improves sleep
- Reduces HBP
Autonomic Nervous System & Cardiovascular Effects
Slow, controlled pranayama shifts the balance of the autonomic nervous system toward parasympathetic dominance, reducing heart rate and blood pressure, and improving baroreceptor sensitivity.
A four‑ to six‑week practice reduced resting heart rate from ~89 bpm to ~83 bpm and improved systolic blood pressure responses during stress tests.
In studies of asthma and hypertension patients, significant improvements were observed in pulse rate, systolic blood pressure, and pulmonary function, leading to reduced medication requirements and enhanced quality of life.
Respiratory System & Pulmonary Function
Regular practice improves lung capacity and airflow: studies showed increased vital capacity (VC), forced expiratory volume (FEV₁), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), and FEV₁/FVC ratios in both slow and fast pranayama practitioners.
Benefits extend to clinical populations with asthma and COPD—with reductions in symptoms, exacerbation frequency, and measurable improvements in forced breathing parameters.
Biochemical & Metabolic Changes
Enhanced antioxidant defenses with lower oxidative stress: increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels and lower free radicals following rhythmic yogic breathing, notably in athletes exposed to exhaustive exercise.
Salivary proteomic studies identified acute-time increases in biomarkers like DMBT1 and IGLC2 during pranayama practice (elevated tenfold within 10–15 minutes), suggesting rapid biochemical changes.
Neurophysiological & Brainwave Effects
Breath retention and slow diaphragmatic breathing have been found to increase theta- and delta‑wave activity (via EEG), which are associated with parasympathetic calm and meditative states.
Functional brain studies indicate timing effects on cerebral oxygenation and blood volume matching breathing rates, suggesting entrainment of cerebral perfusion during controlled pranayama.
Stress Response & Hormonal Regulation
A randomized controlled trial of Bhramari pranayama in adolescents showed adaptive stress response: higher cortisol during acute stress exposure followed by a faster drop below baseline levels by 60 minutes, pointing to increased resilience.
Psychological and Well‑Being Benefits
Chronic conditions like hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes saw improvements in stress, anxiety, sleep quality, fatigue, and overall emotional well‑being in controlled trials.
Systematic reviews support benefits across physiological, respiratory, psychological, and metabolic domains, though most trials are moderate in quality and vary in methodology.
Safety Considerations & Risks
Fast pranayama techniques like Kapalabhati and Bhastrika, especially when practiced incorrectly or in vulnerable individuals, may lead to hyperventilation, increased sympathetic activation, and even rare cases of pneumothorax.
Individuals with respiratory hypersensitivity, such as asthma, may experience bronchospasm during deep inhalation, so proper technique and supervision are essential.
Beginners may start with Nadi Shodhana or Ujjayi
For energy and detox, try Kapalabhati or Bhastrika
For stress and sleep, explore Bhramari or Sheetali
