Shahna Thurston, BACP

Shahna Thurston is an MBACP (Accred) therapist practising in the United Kingdom, holding a Master’s in Counselling and Psychotherapy with Distinction and five years of professional experience. She works in an integrative way, combining humanistic, person-centred, and existential perspectives with certified DBT, psychodynamic and transference-focused techniques, and trauma-informed methods to tailor support to each person’s needs. MBACP (Accred) indicates accredited membership of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, and her academic and professional training underpins a thoughtful, evidence-informed practice.

Shahna specialises in supporting people through narcissistic abuse, complex trauma and CPTSD, anxiety, stress, relationship difficulties, self-esteem concerns, grief, addictions, and major life transitions. She uses mindfulness, experiential therapy, psychoeducation, and skills-based interventions to help clients regulate emotions, interrupt unhelpful patterns, and strengthen resilience. Her training includes Janna Fisher trauma work and she will be completing EMDR training later this year, which will add further tools for addressing complex trauma.

Shahna aims to provide a compassionate, non-judgmental space where individuals can explore their experiences, gain insight, and work toward greater balance and confidence. She approaches therapy collaboratively, helping people identify goals and practical steps for change while respecting each person’s pace and preferences.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on building a respectful, empathetic relationship in which the therapist listens attentively and helps the person explore their own values and choices. This approach supports people working through identity questions, relationship issues, and low self-esteem by prioritising the client’s perspective.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers practical skills for managing intense emotions, improving interpersonal effectiveness, and reducing self-destructive patterns. It is useful for people struggling with overwhelm, emotional dysregulation, and chronic stress, and Shahna brings certified DBT techniques into her integrative work.

Mindfulness Therapy teaches gentle attention to the present moment and simple strategies for calming the mind and body. This can help with anxiety, sleep difficulties, and building resilience during life transitions.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Shahna works with each person to identify what feels most helpful based on their needs, goals, and preferences, and adapts methods over time as progress unfolds.

Online therapy offers flexible access to licensed professionals through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, maintain continuity during transitions, and receive support from familiar surroundings while working toward practical changes.