Dr Seth Osborne

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PsychD; MSc (Oxon.) UKCP and BACP registered
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

location_on Oxford OX1 & Witney OX28
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

What I offer

I am an experienced therapist offering thoughtful and effective psychotherapy for individuals of all ages and with all manner of reasons for seeking therapy.

If we decide to work together - following an initial assessment - we will meet weekly, at the same time and day, for sessions of 50 minutes. In therapy you will encouraged to speak freely of whatever is on your mind: your thoughts, your anxieties, your fears, your desires. It may be difficult to do this at first - or maybe you'll know exactly what you want to discuss. You may not know what you are thinking or feeling, or perhaps feel ashamed or embarrassed about what does occur in your mind. But gradually you will get used to it. Through our interactions you will grow increasingly confident in being able use the psychotherapeutic setting - and the unique freedom that it provides - in the way you need to. 

Together we will make sense of your life: both your life now, and your life so far. Particularly we will get to understand your inner life; considering matters such as what others may represent to you; what may underly your worries; what may be happening when you get, say, angry, or defensive, or jealous. We will discuss the impact of the wider world upon you: how important others have shaped you - especially in childhood, and societal issues such as race, culture, sexuality, and social class. 

The containing function of regular therapy helps you to feel able to think about things that previously were unthinkable, and to confront things that have previously felt unbearable and unacceptable. We will work through long-held losses and grievances. As you begin to know yourself more, fresh thoughts and options arise for how to live your life in the way you want to, consistent with your desires, values and commitments.

I work with adults and young people aged 16+ to help explore and resolve various issues: from specific problems to long-standing difficulties. I have extensive experience from working in the NHS, private health, and at a school where I work with both pupils and staff.

Why therapy?

There are all sorts of feelings we may have that may cause you to consider therapy: we feel lonely, or unhappy with our relationships. We may lack confidence socially, or sexually. We may be troubled with intrusive, distressing thoughts. We may criticise ourselves in our minds, never feeling contented with whatever we do.

We may have developed all sorts of ways of coping, such as exercise, meditation, talking to a good friend, but feel that these sorts of coping mechanisms aren’t so effective, and don’t get to the core of the issue.

In therapy you get the opportunity to understand the way you think, and the way you relate to yourself and others. You get to understand why you might find things hard, what might be getting in the way for you, and how things can be different for you.

About me

I'm an experienced doctoral-level psychotherapist with around 10 years of NHS mental health experience.

  • I have a Doctorate in Psychotherapy and Counselling from Roehampton University. I have also done additional psychodynamic training at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust.
  • Outside of private practice I work at Magdalen College School, Oxford, providing counselling for both students and staff. I also work as an associate psychotherapist within Oxford Health Adult NHS Psychological Services. Previously I have worked in Oxford Health NHS CAMHS services and with The Priory.
  • I work full time as a counsellor/psychotherapist. I have regular supervision from a retired Consultant Psychotherapist in the NHS for my adult cases, and for my work with children, supervision with a Counselling Psychologist who works privately and in the NHS. As part of my training I have also engaged in long-term psychotherapy, and so also have personal experience of what works and what doesn't.
  • My approach is based on a number of well-regarded theoretical models, including psychodynamic psychotherapy (my primary influence), existential-phenomenology, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), and person-centred therapy.

What are the first steps?

Make contact by either phone or email - giving information about why you've got in touch (although there's no need to go into lots of detail) and stating whether you have a preference to be seen in Oxford or Witney. We will then arrange to meet for an assessment in which we will discuss your situation and decide together whether therapy with me could benefit you.

Location

My practice location in Oxford is at Folly Bridge, is close to the city centre. Parking is available in hour-long bays on neighbouring streets, or at the Westgate or Hinksey Park car parks.

In Witney, my office is based at Spinners Court, where there is parking available.

Whilst in person sessions are my preference I also offer online sessions via Skype or Zoom, or telephone sessions.

Please visit my website for further information or get in touch if you have any questions.

What is psychotherapy?

Read my interview, What is psychotherapy? A conversation with Dr Seth Osborne, to learn more about psychotherapy, how it differs from counselling (and the similarities) and what to expect from sessions.

Training, qualifications & experience

  • Foundations in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (PGDip) at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust (2022)
  • PsychD (Doctorate) in Psychotherapy and Counselling at Roehampton University (2015)
  • MSc in Experimental Psychology at Oxford University (2007)
  • BSc in Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience at Nottingham University (2004)

Currently studying:

  • Qualification in Counselling Psychology (QCoP) at the British Psychological Society (BPS) - started July 2020

I have significant clinical experience in my ongoing positions as Counsellor at Magdalen College School, Oxford, and as an Associate Psychotherapist in Oxford Health NHS Psychological Services.

I have worked previously as a Primary Mental Health Development Worker for the NHS in Primary Child and Adolescent Mental Health (PCAMHS), and as a volunteer counsellor for adults at The Listening Centre in Oxford. 

I have also completed numerous short courses and have attended and presented in workshops and conferences over the years.

Member organisations

school Registered / Accredited

Registered / Accredited

Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.

UKCP
UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)

The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.

As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.

UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.

UPCA
Universities Psychotherapy & Counselling Association (UPCA)

Universities Psychotherapy & Counselling Association

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred).

Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision.

Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training.

All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.

Accredited register membership

UK Council for Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.

UK Council for Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Fees

£70.00 - £85.00

Concessions offered for

  • check_circle Students
  • check_circle Trainee counsellors

Health Insurance/EAP

  • check_circle Aviva
  • check_circle Axa Health
  • check_circle Vitality

Additional information

Oxford: £75-85 Witney: £70-85 depending on whether self-funded or via insurance.

A small concession may be available for students. Please enquire to see if this is available.

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

Mondays, Tuesdays

Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1

55 West End, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX28

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Young people (13-17)
Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)

Key details

DBS check info

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

Online platforms

Google Meet
Microsoft Teams