Shirley Rocks, BACP

Shirley Rocks offers calm, practical support for people feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, grief or life changes. She is a BACP counsellor who listens in a warm, down-to-earth way and helps clients make small, useful changes. Her manner is gentle and straightforward, suited to someone wanting a caring space to talk and reflect.

Shirley draws on several approaches to match each person’s needs. She uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people notice what matters to them and take small committed steps. Attachment-based ideas are used when past relationships affect how someone connects now. Client-centred principles keep the work focused on the client’s pace and priorities.

She trained in Ireland with the Mid Ulster Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapy and with Cruse Bereavement, which shaped her work with loss and emotional transition. Writing and poetry are also available as optional tools for people who find creative expression helpful during therapy.

Sessions aim to build practical coping skills, improve self-understanding, and soften harsh self-judgement. Shirley helps people work with sleep problems, addictive behaviours, low self-esteem, parenting strain, and relationship difficulties among other issues. The tone is collaborative rather than prescriptive.

Clients can expect tailored support as they set goals, try new ways of responding, and reflect on progress. She works in English and accepts international enquiries, with session arrangements confirmed at booking.

How Shirley's approaches work for online therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting ruled by them, and then take small steps towards what matters. It is useful for anxiety, low mood, and getting unstuck. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early connections shape current relationships and helps people shift patterns that cause pain or isolation. Client-Centred Therapy prioritises the person's own goals and timing, offering a respectful space where the client leads the pace and focus of sessions.

Choosing the right approach is a shared process. Shirley will listen to your needs and goals, explain options, and adapt methods as you go. The work is collaborative so approaches can change as progress and preferences become clearer.

Practical benefits of online therapy include fitting sessions into a busy week and reducing travel time. Some people find shorter check-ins easier to schedule during a workday, while others prefer longer conversations when time allows. The biography does not specify which session formats are offered, so confirm current options before booking to make sure the arrangement suits your routine and needs.