Shaun Canavan Counselling Services

Providing Psychotherapy in Hertford and across Hertfordshire

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A calm, steady space tailored to your individual needs

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Hello, I’m Shaun, an integrative psychotherapist based in Hertford. I support adults who are navigating difficult emotions, bereavement, relationship challenges, periods of overwhelm, and times of change. My practice offers a warm, confidential space where you can slow down, reflect, and gently make sense of what you’re carrying.

I am an Accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), fully insured, and registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office. My work is grounded in professionalism, compassion, and a steady commitment to your well‑being.

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How I work

Therapy with me is gentle, relational, and shaped around your individual needs. No two people are the same, so no two therapeutic journeys are either. Together, we explore what feels important at your pace, with curiosity, care, and respect for your inner world.

To support you in a way that feels personal and meaningful, I draw from an integrative framework that brings together:

• Person‑Centred Therapy — a warm, non‑judgmental space to explore your experiences

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) — practical tools to understand and shift unhelpful patterns

• Attachment‑informed work — noticing how early relationships shape present emotions

• Emotion‑Focused Therapy — supporting deeper emotional understanding and expression

• Psychodynamic perspectives — exploring underlying patterns and inner conflicts

• Coaching‑informed approaches — gentle guidance to help you move toward meaningful change

• PCE‑CfD (Counselling for Depression) — a NICE‑recommended approach that supports emotional processing and helps you reconnect with your sense of self

These approaches are woven together in a way that feels natural and supportive for you.

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Training & Professional Memberships

• Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP Accredited)

• MSc Psychological Therapies and Interventions

• BSc (Hons) Counselling

• PCE‑CfD Qualified Practitioner

• City & Guilds Coaching and Mentoring

• Enhanced DBS

• Fully insured

• Registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

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My background

My counselling work is grounded in professional training, and also shaped by the experiences that have brought me to this point. Before becoming a therapist, I spent over 25 years working within the emergency services, alongside earlier service in the Royal Marines, where I am proud to have served. I later worked in mental‑health charity roles, bereavement support, and talking‑therapy services.

These experiences have contributed to the calm, steady way I work today — offering a grounded presence, thoughtful listening, and a compassionate approach to the emotional challenges people carry. They inform my understanding, while it is my therapeutic training and practice that guide the way I support you.

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What I can help with

People come to therapy for many reasons. I regularly support individuals with:

• Bereavement and complex grief

• Emotional overwhelm and anxiety

• Low mood and depression

• Relationship and identity challenges

• Workplace stress and burnout

• The emotional impact of demanding or frontline roles

You don’t need to have everything figured out before you arrive. We can gently find the words together.

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What clients say

(Shared with permission)

Clients often describe our work together in ways that reflect the steady, compassionate approach I aim to offer.

Bereavement “After a tragic bereavement, Shaun guided me with kindness, empathy, and expert reassurance. I felt truly listened to and validated. Life now feels brighter, and my path through grief is clearer.”

Depression & Relationship Difficulties “Shaun helped me navigate complex feelings and challenge negative thought patterns. The tools he gave me now support me every day. I’m very grateful for his help and support.”

These reflections capture the importance I place on creating a space where you feel heard, valued, and understood.

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Beginning therapy

Starting therapy can feel daunting, and it’s important that you feel comfortable with the person you choose to work with. I offer a free, informal phone or video consultation so you can ask questions, share what’s on your mind, and get a sense of whether we are a good fit.

Sessions are available:

• Online

• By phone

• In person in Hertford

Therapy is a place for clarity, connection, and renewed strength. Whatever you are facing, you don’t have to face it alone.

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“There will always be rocks in the road ahead of us. They will be stumbling blocks or stepping stones; it all depends on how you use them.” — Friedrich Nietzsche