About Me
Professional Background
Hi there. My name is Ruairí Osborne. I am an experienced and accredited psychotherapist and counsellor. I work with individuals, couples and adolescents over the age of 16. I am trained in the Gottman Method of Couples Therapy – a powerful evidence-based and research-driven modality for marriage and relationship counselling. In addition, I am trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) and am currently working towards professional accreditation with EMDR Europe. As a psychotherapist, I am accredited with the Irish Association of Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy (IAHIP) and the Irish Council for Psychotherapy (ICP). I am also a member of the Ecopsychology and Ecotherapy Association of Ireland (EEAI) where I am chair of the governance committee.
I offer Nature-based Psychotherapy and Counselling here in Slane, Co. Meath. My practice is conveniently located between Navan and Drogheda. Sessions take place outdoors around a campfire in a private woodland on the banks of the River Boyne. If the weather is bad, I can also see clients from my riverside cabin which is heated by a wood-burning stove. Due to the nature of outdoor therapy, I can comfortably adhere to government guidelines around Covid-19 social distancing and so on. Clients travel from as far afield as Kells, Trim and Dublin.
I also offer online counselling to both individuals and couples throughout Ireland, the UK and internationally. I bring the essence of Ecopsychology and Nature Therapy to my online work. I originally trained as a psychotherapist with the Trácht Psychotherapy Foundation in Galway where I earned a Diploma in Biodynamic & Integrative Psychotherapy.
Therapeutic Approach
I bring a warm, gentle and compassionate approach to my work. I practice both body-centred and nature-based psychotherapy. I work using humanistic and integrative psychotherapy principles. Humanistic simply means that I see my clients as already whole; physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I see my role as someone who is there to support you in returning to that place of inner-wisdom, joy and peace, reminding you at each step along the way that you hold all the important answers deep within. Integrative means that I use a non-prescriptive approach. I draw from a broad range of therapeutic tools to support you along your journey. Some of the therapeutic tools I use include; Ecopsychology and Ecotherapy principles, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Inner Child Work, Shamanism and Mindfulness.
I provide counselling and psychotherapy for a wide range of issues, including; Addiction, Anger & Stress Management, Anxiety, Bereavement, Depression, Conflict in Relationship or other Marriage Difficulties, Intimacy and Sexual Issues as well as Trauma and Abuse. You can visit this page to explore the wider range of issues which I can help with.
I offer a free, confidential 15-minute phone conversation where you can speak about the issues which you’re facing and find out if Nature-Based Psychotherapy or Couples Counselling can help. Please contact me to arrange a telephone appointment.
Additional Training
I have trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) at Queen’s University in Belfast. EMDR is an innovative form of psychotherapy that supports clients to heal from traumatic or difficult events that they may have experienced. It is a highly effective method to treat PTSD and trauma.
In addition to working with individuals, I also work with couples. I am trained in Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Level 3) and use Gottman strategies and interventions as the foundation of my couples work. Several years ago I had the opportunity to train with John and Julie Gottman, the founders of the Gottman Method of Couples Therapy. I am one of just a handful of therapists based here in Ireland who are trained in this form of couples counselling. You can learn more about some of the other therapists by visiting this website.
In my personal life, I know what it’s like to experiences difficulties in relationship that need outside support. Three years into our marriage, my wife and I attended couples therapy with a Gottman trained therapist. This helped us quickly work through the difficulties which we had been experiencing.
As a former client of the Gottman Method, I can honestly attest to its effectiveness. We worked through our struggles in a matter of months and are happily married in a loving and mutually supportive relationship.
In addition to seeing individuals and couples, I also work with groups. I am the founder of A Gathering of Men. The Gathering is an experiential training which supports men to develop emotional awareness and resilience. Men who are connected with their feelings are more confident in expressing themselves and are less likely to experience conflict in relationships. Less conflict means more connection, which leads to happier and more content families.