Shem Lopez, NCPS

Shem Lopez is a therapist based in the United Kingdom who focuses on helping people facing midlife changes and other life stresses. He brings 12 years of experience and works with individuals to clarify what matters to them and take steps that reflect those values. Sessions are offered in English and international clients can be seen.

Shem uses a range of approaches to meet each person where they are. He aims to help people understand their patterns of thinking and feeling so they can make different choices. This can include work on anxiety, panic attacks, trauma and post-traumatic stress, depression, anger, and issues around intimacy and sexuality.

He also supports people dealing with relationship struggles and couples concerns, including intimacy-related issues and shifts that often happen in midlife. Additional focuses listed include attachment concerns, abandonment, guilt and shame, self-esteem, isolation and life purpose.

Shem describes his style as integrative, blending approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Emotionally-Focused Therapy, the Gottman Method, hypnotherapy and Imago Relationship Therapy to suit each person. He aims to create a non-judgemental space where clients can speak honestly and begin to notice different options for action.

Having worked in private practice since 2012, Shem draws on over a decade of clinical experience to guide practical steps alongside deeper emotional work. He works collaboratively with people to set goals and apply what is learned between sessions.

Therapeutic approaches online and how they help

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters most and take small, values-led steps even when emotions are difficult. It suits worries about life direction, low mood and midlife change. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) focuses on the emotional patterns that shape close relationships and helps people express needs and reconnect with partners. The Gottman Method offers practical techniques for improving communication and managing conflict in relationships.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The counsellor will discuss your aims and preferences and adapt methods as you go. That collaborative process helps pick the best fit for your goals and the problems you want to address.

If you are considering online sessions, please confirm which formats are available before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit counselling into a busy life, cutting travel time and allowing appointments around work or family commitments. It can also allow shorter check-ins when needed, and sometimes makes it easier to use tools such as guided exercises or calm breathing between meetings.