Shahna Thurston , BACP

Shahna Thurston is an integrative therapist practicing in the United Kingdom with five years of professional experience. She holds MBACP (Accred) status, a membership with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, and earned a Master’s in Counselling and Psychotherapy with Distinction. Her training includes certification in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), specialised trauma work with Janna Fisher methods, and planned EMDR training later this year, which expands the range of trauma-focused tools she can offer.

Shahna blends humanistic, person-centred, and existential perspectives with DBT skills, psychodynamic and transference-focused techniques, and trauma-informed approaches to tailor therapy to each person’s needs. She works with people facing narcissistic abuse, complex post-traumatic stress, anxiety, stress, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, and major life transitions, using mindfulness, experiential exercises, psychoeducation, and practical skills to help manage emotions and interrupt unhelpful patterns.

Her practice emphasises a compassionate, non-judgmental atmosphere where individuals can explore past wounds, develop insight, and build resilience. Shahna aims to support clients in navigating difficult experiences and moving toward greater balance, confidence, and healthier relationships through collaborative, evidence-informed methods.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating a collaborative, respectful relationship where the therapist follows the client’s lead, providing empathy and acceptance to help people explore their values, identity, and choices; it is helpful for issues like low self-esteem, relationship concerns, and life transitions.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) combines acceptance and change strategies, teaching practical skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness; it can be particularly useful for managing intense emotions, relationship patterns, and coping with stress.

Mindfulness Therapy emphasizes present-moment awareness and gentle, non-judgmental observation of thoughts and feelings, supporting people who want to reduce anxiety, improve focus, and respond more intentionally to difficult experiences.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Shahna works collaboratively with each person to identify which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adapting techniques over time as progress unfolds.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect - video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging - making it easier to schedule support around work, family, and other commitments. These options allow licensed professionals and therapists to provide consistent care across different settings, helping people maintain momentum in their work between sessions.