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And why The Business Village is the perfect place for her to do it.
For Sharon O’Shea, counselling is more than a career choice – it’s something that changed her life. Her journey into therapy began not in a classroom, but on the other side of the room, as a client.
“I’d always had an interest in psychology and how people think,” Sharon explains. “But when I needed counselling myself, everything changed. I realised how much it helped me and thought wow, I could help other people like this too.”
The experience set her on a path that led to a thriving private practice. Today, Sharon supports adults across Barnsley to work through a wide range of issues including anxiety, grief, and trauma. Her calm, down to earth approach reflects the genuine care she has for her clients.
Sharon’s story hasn’t always followed an easy path. She left home young and began studying person-centred therapy at Barnsley College aged 21. “The age limit was 25 back then,” she recalls. “But they said I had enough life experience to be accepted onto the course. I was the baby of the group – everyone else was in their 40s, 50s, and even 60s!”
The person-centred approach turned out to be a natural fit. “This way of working is just who I am. It’s about being present and giving someone space to be themselves without judgement. That’s always been important to me.”
Becoming qualified took real determination. Sharon juggled full-time work, commuting to Sheffield, and two pregnancies while completing her diploma. “Looking back, I honestly don’t know how I did it,” she laughs. “But it was worth it.”
After qualifying in 2008, Sharon took time out to raise her children and complete a degree. A decade later, life steered her back to her passion. “I’d worked in government agencies, but they were toxic environments. I’d had enough and my mental health was suffering. I knew I needed a healthier space and decided to start my own practice.”
The same year, she launched her counselling practice from The Business Village.
Sharon now works with adults aged 18 and over, helping them navigate through all life’s difficulties like anxiety, depression, complex trauma, and grief. She also supervises trainee counsellors, guiding them through their qualifications and early practice.
Her sessions are grounded in that same person-centred approach she’s always believed in. “It’s about making sure people feel comfortable,” she explains. “Often, they can’t talk to family because everyone’s already involved. I offer a space where they can talk and offload with zero judgement.”
Grief work is one of the most rewarding parts of her job. “I often see people who’ve been caring for a relative with life limiting illnesses. They’ve lost their role as a son or daughter and become the carer. That’s really tough. When they come to me, I help them understand what’s happening. We’ll look at the grief cycle so they can see that what they’re feeling is actually normal.”
Her goal is to help clients leave feeling lighter and more at peace. “Grief changes over time and it’s not always going to feel like it does now. When people realise that, it brings such relief.”
Alongside talking therapy, Sharon uses EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) and the Flash technique, which are especially helpful for trauma. “Flash is shorter and more affordable,” she says. “Not everyone can pay for long therapy sessions, so I like to offer something anyone can access. In a short period of time, we can take the sting out of a painful memory.”
Sharon knows that the therapeutic relationship needs to feel right. When she firsts meets someone, she checks that they feel comfortable with her and the setting – and that she feels the same in return. “If that’s off, it won’t work. It’s all about trust.”
From the very start, Sharon knew she didn’t want to work from home. “I’ve got kids and you never know who’s coming through your door. I didn’t want to bring that home. I needed somewhere separate and professional.”
The Business Village clicked straight away. “I couldn’t believe how affordable it was,” she recalls. “When I started, it was only £101 a month, so I didn’t even look anywhere else. Some places were charging up to £400 a month – there’s no way I could have managed that while only working part time. I also liked the place, and it had a good feel about it.”
That first impression proved right. Seven years on, she’s the longest-standing counsellor on site. The space gives her everything she needs – safety, security, and free parking. Flexibility is also important. With 24-hour access, Sharon can see clients into the early evening, and her quiet corner of the building gives her clients the privacy they need.
The strong sense of community also plays its part. “It’s nice knowing there are other therapists around, and people from all kinds of businesses. Sometimes I’ll grab lunch with another psychologist on my corridor, and it’s great just to have that chat.”
The Business Village has full disabled access too, which Sharon says is a big advantage. “When I work for other companies, they always ask about accessibility. It’s important for me to be inclusive, and The Business Village set up allows that.”
There are also small perks at The Business Village that make a big difference. “The canteen is brilliant. I can nip up there and get something to eat between sessions. And, if you ever need business advice, the management team are always there to help.”
As for the future, Sharon says she’s happy right where she is. “I’ve got everything I need already. I’m not looking to grow into a big practice, so it’s only ever going to be me. What matters most is helping people and continuing to develop my skills.”
Her focus now is on establishing herself as an EMDR therapist, and ongoing professional development. “We have to do 35 hours every year,” she says. “That could be reading, watching documentaries, or doing courses. I love learning and it helps to keep me up to date.”
Even with a full diary, sometimes too full, Sharon keeps her priorities clear. “As long as I can keep helping people and doing good work, that’s enough for me,” she says with a smile.
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