Meet Our CEO

Dr James O’Shea is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin. He is an experienced psychotherapist, CBT therapist, clinical supervisor, and educator. He is a former director of nursing and midwifery education, director and national lead for mental health nurse education, and director of the national addiction training programme with the Irish health service (HSE). He has worked in the areas of mental health, counselling, psychotherapy, and health service education for over three decades.

 

James is co-developer and lead author for the SAOR Model, the HSE’s national screening and brief intervention programme for alcohol and substance misuse. He has trained extensively with Professors William Miller and Stephen Rollnick, the developers of Motivational Interviewing (MI) and is recognised internationally as a Motivational Interviewing Trainer (M.I.N.T. member). He has lectured in many of Ireland’s universities including Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University and Maynooth University, He has delivered training, and made conference presentations both nationally and internationally on addiction and mental health related topics.  He is the lead author and co-developer of numerous other national HSE programmes including clinical supervision for nurses working in mental health services and CBT skills for practice training.

 

James holds a Doctorate in Professional Studies (D. Prof) from Middlesex University and has undertaken postgraduate studies at Trinity College Dublin.  He is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and is an Accredited Addiction Counsellor (ACI), as well as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse and Registered General Nurse (NMBI).:

 

Qualifications and Accreditation

His academic and professional qualifications, and accreditation are summarised below

• Qualifications

  • Doctor of Professional Studies

  • Master’s degree in Counselling & Psychotherapy

  • Master’s degree in Supervisory Practice

  • Master’s degree in Education

  • Post Graduate Diploma in CBT

  • Higher Diploma in Education

  • Higher Diploma in Psychotherapy

  • BSc Honours Degree in Counselling & Psychotherapy

  • Professional Certificate in Mindfulness Teaching

  • Professional Certificate in Addiction Counselling

  • Postgraduate Certificate in Supervision

  • Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Coping Skills (CBCS) with addiction

• Registrations

  • Registered Nurse (RPN, RGN - NMBI)

  • BACP (Registered)

  • ACI (Accredited)

  • Member of Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT)

 

Publications

James’s publications are outlined below.

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O’Shea, J. et.al., (in progress) Towards evidence-based psychosocial intervention with substance misuse: A quarter of a century of evidence reviewed.  

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O’Shea, J., O’Shea, D. (2021) Foundation 4 Life: A guide for programme coordinators & facilitators, Mayo (Ireland), SWMDC and WRDATF.

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ACI (2020) Embracing Statutory Regulation: ACI Submission to CORU (Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board). Dublin: Addiction Counsellors of Ireland.

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O’Shea, J. (2020) Foundation 4 Life: A transformative life skills, education and job activation programme for young people, Mayo (Ireland), SWMDC and WRDATF.

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HSE (2019) Clinical supervision for nurses working in mental health services: A guide for nurse managers, supervisors and supervisees, Dublin: Office of Nursing and Midwifery Services Director, Health Service Executive.

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HSE (2018) Recovery Education Guidance Document 2018-2020: Supporting the Implementation of ‘A National Recovery Framework for Mental Health 2018-2020’, Dublin: Health Service Executive.

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HSE (2017) Best Practice Guidance for Mental Health Services, Dublin: Health Service Executive. 

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HSE (2017) Guiding Framework for the Education, Training and Competence Validation in Venepuncture and Peripheral Intravenous Cannulation, Dublin: Office of Nursing and Midwifery Services Director, Health Service Executive. 

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O’Shea, J., Goff, P. and Armstrong, R. (2017) SAOR Model: Screening and Brief Intervention for Problem Alcohol and Substance Use in Acute, Primary Care and Community Settings. (2nd Edition), Dublin: Health Service Executive.

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O'Shea, J. (2017) Mindfulness in Professional Practice: Course Workbook, Unpublished Course Materials (available upon request).

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HSE (2016) Facilitating Learning in Groups: A Resource Manual for Facilitators Working in Health and Social Care, Dublin: Office of Nursing and Midwifery Services Director, Health Service Executive.

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O'Shea, Murphy, B. (2015) Report of the Aiséirí underpinning process, Cahir: Aiseiri Organisational Report (available upon request).

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HSE (2015) Clinical Supervision Framework for Nurses Working in Mental Health Services, Dublin: Office of Nursing and Midwifery Services Director, Health Service Executive. 

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HSE (2012) A Guiding Framework for Education and Training in Screening and Brief Intervention for Problem

Alcohol Use for Nurses and Midwives in Acute, Primary and Community Care Settings, Dublin: Office of Nursing and Midwifery Services Director, Health Service Executive.

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GAA (2014) GAA ASAP Programme Coaching for Confidence SAOR Booklet, Dublin: Gaelic Athletic Association.

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HSE (2013) Guiding Framework Certificate in Basic Cognitive Behavioural Skills for Practice, Dublin: Office of Nursing and Midwifery Services Director, Health Service Executive.

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Duffy, M., Gillespie, K. and O’Shea, J. (2013) ‘How Effective is a Short Cognitive Behavioural Skills Training Programme for Mental Health Staff: An Evaluation Based on Trainee Responses’, Behaviour and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 42(06), pp. 653-667.

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O'Shea, J. (2011) Addiction Treatment Outcome Studies and their Implications for Practice, Waterford: Health Service Executive (available upon request).

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O’Shea, J., Goff, P. and Gillespie, K. (2010) Cognitive Behavioural Skills for Practice: A Stepwise Approach to Enhancing Clinical Practice Based Upon Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Methods – A Model for Delivery in the Irish Health Service, Dublin: Health Service Executive.

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O’Shea, J. and Goff, P. (2009) SAOR Model: Screening and Brief Intervention (SBI) for Problem Alcohol Use in the Emergency Department & Acute Care Settings, Dublin: Health Service Executive.