Shelley Murphy

Shelley Murphy is an ACA counsellor with 16 years of experience who helps people facing stress, anxiety and relationship challenges. She works with people dealing with low self-esteem, anger, motivation, grief and changes in life. Shelley encourages clients to use their own strengths to move forward and make practical changes.

Shelley uses straightforward, respectful conversation to support people taking the first steps towards change. She values the person's story and aims to build a working relationship that feels collaborative rather than directive. This helps people feel heard and more able to try new ways of coping.

Her approach draws on several evidence-informed therapies to match what each person needs. Shelley blends Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with cognitive tools when people need practical strategies. She also uses attachment-focused ideas to help people understand patterns in relationships.

Sessions focus on clear goals and doable steps. Shelley helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and work toward values-based changes. She offers support for concerns such as addiction, body image, intimacy and parenting stresses.

People come for a mix of short-term problem solving or longer work on relationship patterns and emotional habits. Shelley aims to create a calm, steady space where people can try things and reflect on what helps them move forward.

How therapy approaches guide online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people notice difficult thoughts and feelings while taking actions that align with their values. It suits people who want to reduce struggle with painful emotions and build a more meaningful routine. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the connection between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and offers practical skills to change unhelpful patterns, which can help with anxiety, low mood and problem behaviours. Attachment-Based Therapy explores how early relationship patterns affect current connections and helps people develop different ways of relating and repairing difficulties.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, preferences and what has or hasn’t helped before. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust the plan as progress is made, so sessions stay relevant to the person’s life.

Please confirm available session formats before booking because the biography does not list formats. Online counselling can make it easier to fit sessions around work, caregiving or travel. It can also allow shorter check-ins, avoid commuting, or be used when someone prefers not to be on camera. Appropriately qualified therapists will discuss practical arrangements and help set a plan that fits each person’s schedule and day-to-day needs.