Shahna Thurston , BACP

Shahna Thurston is a UK-based therapist with five years of professional experience and a Master’s in Counselling and Psychotherapy awarded with distinction. She holds BACP accreditation, a recognised credential that reflects professional standards in counselling and psychotherapy. Shahna practises in an integrative way, combining humanistic and person-centred foundations with existential perspectives, DBT-informed skills, psychodynamic and transference-focused techniques, and trauma-aware methods to tailor support to each person’s needs.

Her training includes DBT certification and Janna Fisher trauma work, and she is scheduled to complete EMDR training later this year, adding further therapeutic tools for complex trauma. Shahna specialises in supporting people affected by narcissistic abuse, trauma and CPTSD, anxiety, stress, relationship difficulties, self-esteem concerns, and life transitions. She also works with issues such as grief, addiction, family and parenting challenges, eating and sleeping difficulties, anger, career questions, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and compassion fatigue.

Using mindfulness, experiential therapy, psychoeducation, and skills-based strategies, Shahna helps clients manage intense emotions, interrupt unhelpful patterns, and build resilience. She offers a compassionate, non-judgmental space for exploration and insight, with the aim of helping people heal from past wounds and move toward greater balance and confidence in their lives.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Shahna integrates client-centred therapy, DBT, and mindfulness therapy into her online practice to meet a range of emotional and relational needs. Client-centred therapy focuses on empathetic listening and supporting the client’s own capacity for growth - it helps with self-esteem, relationship concerns, and navigating life changes. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, emphasizes practical skills for regulating intense emotions, managing distress, and improving interpersonal effectiveness, making it useful for anxiety, anger, and relationship issues. Mindfulness therapy teaches present-moment awareness and self-compassion, which can reduce rumination, support stress management, and strengthen emotional resilience.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Shahna will work with each person to understand their goals, preferences, and circumstances, and together they will identify or adapt methods that fit the client’s needs rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, offering flexibility to fit busy schedules and varied comfort levels. These formats allow clients to access licensed professionals from home or other convenient locations, making consistent care more accessible while preserving the therapeutic focus and continuity of work.