http://www.thehartonpractice.co.uk/

The Harton Practice, 22 Moor Lane, South Shields (2026)

13/04/2026

Social anxiety can feel like you’re constantly being watched, judged, or evaluated — even in everyday situations.

You might replay conversations, worry you said the wrong thing, or avoid situations altogether… not because you want to, but because it feels safer.

But social anxiety isn’t a personality flaw or lack of confidence. It’s the brain trying to protect you from perceived threat — even when that threat isn’t actually there.

Avoidance can bring short-term relief, but it keeps the cycle going.

The good news is that social anxiety is highly treatable. With the right support, it’s possible to feel more confident, reduce overthinking, and engage more freely in social situations.

If this resonates, support is available.

✨ Therapy at The Harton Practice
📍 In person or online

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12/04/2026

Addiction doesn’t discriminate. And neither do we.

Addiction isn’t about “bad choices” or lack of willpower. It’s a learnt response — your brain wiring itself to seek relief, comfort, or escape. Over time, that wiring strengthens… whether it’s alcohol, drugs, va**ng, gambling, food, or even behaviours like overworking.

Because addiction isn’t about the substance — it’s about the relationship with it.

👤 Meet Kieran – Registered Mental Health Nurse & Recovery Coach
With years of experience in addiction services, Kieran understands the complexity behind addictive behaviours and the courage it takes to face them.

His approach is:
✨ Non-judgemental and compassionate
✨ Focused on self-understanding, not shame
✨ Grounded in structure, support, and real change

Kieran works with you to build self-compassion alongside practical strategies, helping you break patterns in a way that feels manageable and sustainable.

He also knows that accessing support can feel like a barrier — so he offers:
✔️ Free consultation calls before starting
✔️ Flexible appointments (clinic or home visits)
✔️ A safe space where stigma doesn’t get a seat

Recovery isn’t about being “perfect” — it’s about learning a new way forward.

📩 Reach out today to book your free consultation and take that first step.

10/04/2026

⭐️It’s Friday again! ⭐️

Not even a month has passed since opening our clinic doors and we’ve been non stop welcoming new clients and receiving enquiries and referrals. We’re incredibly grateful for the trust so many people have placed in us already 🤍

Just a little heads up — we only have a very limited number of new enquiry call slots available next week.

These short calls are an opportunity for us to get a sense of what you’re looking for, answer any questions you might have, and talk through any worries before arranging the right support.

If you’ve been thinking about reaching out, now might be the time to book in.

📞 Enquiry calls can be arranged via DM through social media or email form through our website.

10/04/2026

Do you know we don’t just see children and families in the therapy room?

Seeing your child carry distress can impact on their own mood, as well as emotions of everyone in the household. We appreciate that sometimes, a child may be reluctant to engage in support, especially if they perceive that someone is trying to ‘fix’ them in some way.

At The Harton Practice, we are proud to offer a flexible and collaborative approach to supporting children and young people.

For some, meaningful support goes beyond sessions in clinic. We can offer home visits, school visits, and work alongside other professionals involved in a child’s care. We also attend key meetings where helpful, ensuring everyone is working together around the child.

We strongly believe that for some children, a whole environment approach is the most effective way forward—supporting not just the young person, but the systems around them too.

If you’d like to explore what support might look like for your child, we offer a free telephone consultation.

Get in touch to see how we might be able to support your child.

www.thehartonpractice.co.uk

06/04/2026

‼️Health anxiety can feel exhausting.

Constantly scanning your body, Googling symptoms, or seeking reassurance that everything is okay can quickly turn into a cycle that’s hard to switch off.

But health anxiety isn’t about being “dramatic” or attention seeking. It’s driven by the brain’s natural threat system — where normal body sensations are interpreted as signs of something serious.

The more we check, research or seek reassurance, the more the brain learns that the sensation is dangerous… and the cycle continues.

The good news is that health anxiety is very treatable. Approaches like CBT help people understand the anxiety cycle, challenge catastrophic thoughts, and gradually reduce checking behaviours.

If worries about your health are taking up a lot of mental space, support can help.

✨ Therapy available at The Harton Practice
📍 In person or online

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30/03/2026

Mind Mondays 🌿

Introducing our new weekly series where we gently break down common mental health difficulties—so you can better understand your mind, your patterns, and why you might be feeling the way you do.

Because so often, people are struggling… thinking it’s “just them” or it will “get better”.

It’s not just you. And if entrenched… it’s only likely to get worse.

We’re starting with OCD—one of the most misunderstood conditions.

OCD isn’t about being neat or organised. It’s a cycle of intrusive thoughts and behaviours driven by anxiety, often leaving people feeling stuck, overwhelmed, and exhausted.

In this post, we’ve broken down:

– what OCD actually is
– common myths
– the psychology behind it
– and how therapy can help

If any of this resonates, you’re not alone—and support can make a real difference.

🤍 Save this for later
🤍 Share with someone who might need it
🤍 Follow along for more Mind Mondays

27/03/2026

☀️☀️☀️☀️

Busy week of therapy and drop-in enquiries at The Harton Practice… Look at that lovely sun shining through the window! (Even though South Shields is playing tricks on us—pretty much still winter!)

We’ve had a few people pop by unsure if a session is in progress. A little reminder: we have a small waiting area at the entrance, but generally, if the therapy room door is shut and the sign is on the door, a session is happening. It’s always a balance—wanting to create a private, safe space for people in session, while also being welcoming to anyone who wants to find out more.

This made me think—would a Saturday morning open drop-in be helpful? Therapy can feel daunting—especially if it’s your first time, or if you’re unsure what kind of therapy might suit you, how it works, or what to look for. A drop-in could be a relaxed chance to pop in to ask questions, get a sense of the space, and find out more about the services we offer without needing to commit straight away.

Most enquiries still come via email, and telephone consultations are always possible, but maybe some people would appreciate seeing the practice in person first and feeling a bit more grounded before booking a session. Sometimes just knowing where to start makes a huge difference.

Wishing you all a restful weekend, from all of us at The Harton Practice 💛

20/03/2026

It’s Friday… and the end of our first week ✨

We’ve welcomed our very first clients through the doors of our new home in Harton Village — and it still feels a little bit unreal to say that.

What started as a passing enquiry turned into something that has taken up space in my mind (and heart) for nearly a year. Built through perseverance, personal investment, and a lot of behind-the-scenes work that no one really sees.

➡️ Scroll to see before…

And now… it’s real.

I feel so proud. Not just of the space itself, but of what it stands for — a place where people can access the support they deserve, without long waiting lists, and without having to fit themselves into rigid healthcare models or tick-box approaches that don’t always reflect real life.

This has always been about people. About creating something that feels safe, warm, and genuinely helpful, while still being guided by evidence and NICE guidelines — so you know the support you’re receiving is both compassionate and grounded in best practice.

Thank you to everyone who has supported, encouraged, and believed in this vision along the way.

Sarah 🤍

17/03/2026

🛋️ Here’s the very first look at The Harton Practice – our initial draft of what will become a calm, welcoming haven. There’s still so much to do: artwork, finishing touches, and little details that will bring the space to life. But already, you can see the beginnings of our vision – colour to calm, a space to feel safe, and yes… the coffee machine is in! ☕️

We’re now taking bookings via our website, and we’re so grateful for the referrals we’ve already received – some of which have even started before the doors officially open.

The Harton Practice offers # a variety of professionals and services for both adults and children, catering to a wide range of needs.

It’s exciting to start turning this blank canvas into a place that truly feels like a haven for everyone who walks through the door. The journey has begun, and we can’t wait to share each step with you. 🌱

13/03/2026

💫 In 5 days, we’ll be ready to welcome clients! 💫

The opening hasn’t quite been the grand announcement we originally planned — in part because the timeline has been accelerated due to demand, and it’s felt important to begin offering support as soon as possible.

Thank you to everyone who has reached out so far — it really means a lot as we get ready to start offering our services. If you’ve contacted the practice, we aim to respond to all enquiries within two working days.

❗️A little note: our official signage won’t be complete until nearer the end of next week, but the space will be ready and welcoming.

Over the coming weeks we’ll be sharing more about the therapies available at The Harton Practice, the kinds of support we offer, and the vision behind the space.

We can’t wait to start this next chapter and provide a calm, safe space for anyone seeking support. ✨

03/03/2026

After 10 months since those very first enquiries… we finally have the keys. 🗝️✨

The door to The Harton Practice is officially ours — and now the real transformation begins.

We have a tight timeframe to turn this space into something truly special: a warm, welcoming and accessible therapy practice for adults and children. A place that feels comforting and safe to share, helped by the installation of noise cancelling acoustic internal walls for your privacy and confidentiality.

Over the next few weeks we’re hoping to share regular updates as we bring the vision to life — with completion expected in a matter of weeks (which still feels slightly surreal to say!).

We’re now taking bookings for both adults and children, offering a range of therapeutic approaches tailored to individual needs.

If you’d like to see the full list of services, head to the link to our website in bio.

Thank you for being here and cheering us on — it means more than you know. 🤍

06/01/2026

🌿 Meet Sarah O’Callaghan, founder and lead therapist at The Harton Practice

Sarah offers therapy to adults experiencing a wide range of difficulties, including health anxiety, social anxiety, OCD, depression, trauma, and grief.

She’s passionate about adapting therapy to individual needs, rather than making anyone feel they have to fit into a box. She also has a special interest in supporting parents who are struggling with the mental load and exploring how perfectionism can keep us feeling stuck.

Her main therapeutic approach is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and she also draws on EMDR, Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to tailor her support to each individual.

So whether it’s your first therapy journey or you want to try therapy again after a previous experience, book into your first appointment today… 🔗link in bio 😀

Outside of work, she enjoys eating out, spending time in the countryside with her family, and travelling.

The Harton Practice

13/04/2026

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