About You
About Me
Are we a good fit?
About you
Life has a way of throwing curveballs when we least expect them.
- Maybe you’re dealing with a health diagnosis that’s turned your world upside down,
- Facing redundancy after years of dedication,
- Grieving a loss that feels impossible to bear.
- Perhaps you’re a young person feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to have it all figured out,
- You might be a man who’s been told your whole life to “just get on with it,” but inside you’re drowning..... Society tells you that asking for help isn’t “manly” BUT struggling in silence isn’t strength!
- Or maybe you’re struggling with anxiety that seems to control your days.
Whatever brought you here, you’re not alone - and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.
About Me
Years ago, a life-changing illness altered the course of my life and my family’s lives. I moved from being a successful business owner and mentor of young people to learning how to live with a disability and adjust to a very different reality. Along the way, I experienced isolation, fear, and the difficult questions that can come when illness or injury changes how you see yourself. That experience is part of why I do this work today — not to offer easy answers, but to sit alongside people as they navigate the darkness and begin, step by step, to move forward. People facing serious illness or injury often describe feeling disconnected from their прежvious sense of self, and support that recognises identity, grief, and adjustment can be an important part of recovery.
I believe you deserve to know that the person supporting you is properly trained and committed to ongoing learning. Here’s what I bring to our work together:
Professional Registration - Sharon Horwood MBACP (Accred)
• BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) accredited member - this means I’m held to strict ethical standards and engage in regular supervision
Core Training
• Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
• Higher Diploma (Level 5 equivalent) in Therapeutic Counselling
• Certificate in Applied Transactional Analysis: helping us understand patterns in relationships
Specialised Training
• Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling - ensuring you get the same quality support whether we meet in person for Counselling in Southend on sea or virtually anywhere in England.
• Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health
• Certificate in Self-harm and Suicide Awareness and Prevention - specialised training for those in crisis
• Inner Child Introduction - exploring how early experiences shape our adult lives
Why This Matters
These aren’t just certificates on a wall - they represent hundreds of hours of learning how to sit with pain, recognise healing, and guide people through their darkest moments toward something better. Combined with my personal experience of trauma and recovery, they ensure you’re working with someone who understands both the science and the heart of healing.
My Training and Qualifications
My Professional Foundation
As a BACP registered member with specialist training in Person-Centred Counselling and other therapeutic approaches, I bring both professional expertise and personal understanding to our work together. This isn’t just my job - it’s my calling, born from my own journey through life -changing challenges.
Trusted by Fellow Professionals
Wisteria Talking Therapy, BACP Counsellor:
“Sharon is a very empathic counsellor. She has bounced back from adversity with a positive mindset and clearly offers the knowledge and experience gained through this to others.”
Elizabeth Cross, BACP Counsellor:
“Sharon is the most empathetic and understanding therapist. You will feel safe, heard and understood. Sharon always has the clients’ best interests at the centre of her work.”
Sue Spooner, DCounspsych, BACP:
“Sharon offers her clients a safe and calm environment where they experience a sense of being heard with empathic understanding. Sharon fully focuses on her clients, allowing them the space and time to explore their issues and work toward their goals.”
Ready to Take the First Step?
You’ve already shown incredible courage by considering therapy. That tells me you’re ready for change, even if it feels scary.
Whether you choose to have your therapy with me at my Prittlewell, Southend on sea room or connect online, you’ll find the same warm, non-judgmental space where healing can begin.
Your journey toward feeling free again starts with a single conversation.