Support for When Life Feels Overwhelming
When life feels overwhelming, even everyday demands can start to feel difficult to manage. Work pressures, juggling responsibilities, and unexpected changes can all leave us feeling anxious, emotionally drained, and unsure how to move forward.
If this feels familiar, I may be able to help. Through online counselling, I work with adults who feel that life has become too much and want to find a way to feel more balanced and in control.
Over time, many people notice they feel a bit clearer, more settled, and better able to cope with what life brings.
How Counselling Can Help
Counselling offers a calm space to slow down and explore what’s on your mind, at a pace that feels right for you.
I specialise in supporting adults experiencing overwhelm, stress, and anxiety. In our sessions, you’ll have a space that’s just for you – somewhere you can talk openly and feel heard. Together, we can explore what’s contributing to these feelings and find ways to make things more manageable day-to-day. My approach is collaborative and flexible, so we focus on what feels most helpful for you rather than following a fixed structure.
Counselling isn’t only for times when life feels unmanageable or you’re in crisis. Many people come to counselling because they feel overwhelmed, stuck, or simply know that something doesn’t feel right and they would like some support to understand what’s happening and find a way forward.
About Sharon
I’m Sharon Ratcliff, a BACP accredited integrative counsellor based in Lincolnshire, offering online counselling to adults across the UK.
I specialise in supporting adults experiencing overwhelm, stress, and anxiety, particularly those who feel they spend so much time looking after others that they have lost sight of their own needs.
My integrative approach means I draw from different counselling approaches, including CBT, adapting our work around your individual experiences, needs, and what feels most helpful for you. I believe counselling should be tailored to the individual rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach.
My Journey Into Counselling
I became a counsellor after experiencing the difference counselling made in my own life. Having a space to slow down, feel heard, and make sense of things helped me move forward, and it inspired me to train so I could offer others the same kind of support.
I qualified as a counsellor in 2011 and have been supporting adults for over 15 years. Over this time, I have found myself particularly drawn to working with people who are feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or struggling to keep up with the demands of work, family, relationships, or significant life changes.
Supporting People Affected by Cancer
Alongside my work supporting people experiencing overwhelm, stress, and anxiety, I have experience supporting adults living with or recovering from cancer.
A cancer diagnosis can bring many emotional challenges, from fear and uncertainty to changes in identity, relationships, confidence, and how we view the future. For some, the emotional impact continues long after treatment has ended, as they adjust to life after cancer or find themselves processing experiences they may not have had space to explore at the time.
Many people affected by cancer find themselves protecting those around them, holding back difficult thoughts or feelings because they worry about upsetting family or friends. Counselling offers a confidential space where you can talk openly about whatever is on your mind, without needing to reassure someone else, minimise what you are feeling, or worry about being judged.
Together, we can explore the thoughts, emotions, and experiences that come with cancer, helping you make sense of what has happened and find ways to move forward.
Supporting People Across Lincolnshire and the UK
Alongside my private practice, I have gained experience supporting adults through local organisations including Lincoln YMCA, Lincolnshire Counselling and Mediation Service, and Rape Crisis. These roles allowed me to work with people experiencing a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, difficult life experiences, and times of significant change.
Although I now work exclusively online, being based in Lincolnshire remains an important part of my practice. Online counselling allows me to support people across Lincolnshire as well as clients throughout the UK, offering a flexible way to access support without the need to travel.
Faith and Values
I’m a Christian and an active member of my local church, where I’m involved in serving within the church community, including supporting the PCC and contributing to youth and children’s work.
While I don’t offer specifically Christian or faith-based counselling, I’m open to exploring how faith, spirituality, and personal values may be part of your wellbeing if they are important to you.
Qualifications and Experience
- Accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP Register No. 79582)
- Higher Professional Diploma in Counselling (Distinction)
- Diploma in CBT
- First-class degree in Forensic Psychology
I engage in regular clinical supervision, in line with the BACP Ethical Framework, and undertake ongoing continuing professional development (CPD) to maintain and develop my knowledge and skills.
If You’re Curious About What Counselling Is Like
If you’re considering counselling, my FAQ page, blog and online counselling page provide more information about what to expect, how online sessions work, and questions you may have before taking the next step.