Richard Oster

I work Tuesday to Friday between 8 am and 6 pm. I also work in the evening on Mondays. 

I'm a BACP registered therapist based in Devon. I offer counselling and psychotherapy, face-to-face in Exeter or online wherever you are.

I will meet you wherever you are on your journey, providing a non-judgmental space to safely explore your inner world. Together, we cultivate curiosity, listening to parts of yourself that may have been ignored or resisted. While the therapeutic journey is not always comfortable, it holds the potential for deep, lasting change.

Experience:

I bring a wealth of life experience to my work, rooted in over a decade spent in the charity sector. During that time, I had the privilege of working with a diverse range of individuals across various settings—mentoring young people in schools, facilitating bereavement support groups, and providing pastoral care to adults. These experiences exposed me to the complexities of the human condition: grief, trauma, addiction, depression, anxiety, and more. It deepened my empathy and clarified my desire to work with people on a deeper level.

As a therapist, I’ve had the opportunity to work with clients from all walks of life, each with their own unique stories and challenges. Every client’s journey has expanded my understanding of the many issues people face, reinforcing my commitment to providing compassionate, individualised care. Before transitioning to full-time private practice, I spent three years with a trauma recovery charity in Exeter, where I provided therapy to survivors of domestic abuse. This work was both humbling and inspiring, revealing the remarkable resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Today, I work with a broad range of presenting issues. I believe that people don’t fit neatly into predefined categories. While labels can sometimes help guide support, they can also restrict how we see ourselves and each other. My approach is intentionally flexible and person-centred, committed to meeting each individual exactly where they are, regardless of the challenges they face.

My Approach

I am an integrative therapist, drawing on a broad range of therapeutic approaches. My work is informed by Internal Family Systems, Existentialism and Person-Centred Therapy, and is grounded in neuroscience. This diverse training has allowed me to develop a cohesive approach to counselling that weaves together the strengths of multiple modalities.

My therapeutic process follows a three-phase framework that I tailor to each client:

Connecting: Establishing a safe and supportive environment, where trust and a strong therapeutic relationship can flourish.

Exploring: Together, we examine the different parts that make up the whole person, including past experiences and present-moment reactions. This phase is about cultivating curiosity and expanding self-awareness.

Integrating: We experiment both in the therapy room and in real-life situations to test new strategies and build skills. The goal is to move towards greater acceptance and a sense of wholeness.

This structured yet flexible approach allows us to journey through the complexities of the human experience with compassion and clarity.

Formal Qualifications:

- Sports Science BSc Hons

- Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling (Accredited by the BACP)

- Certificate in Counselling (Accredited by the National Counselling Society, NCS)

- Counselling Young People Stage 1 (BACP Accredited)

My ongoing professional development and training include regular involvement in workshops, seminars and academic study.

Recent CPD has included:

Master Class in Internal Family Systems Therapy - PESI

Working with Complex Trauma - Iron Mill College

Youth Mental Health First Aid - MHFA England

Understanding Domestic Violence and Abuse Levels 1 & 2 - AVA

Moving Your Practice Online - Online Therapy Institute

Existential Therapy Workshop - Mick Cooper

Working with Shame - Iron Mill College

Bereavement Training - CHUMS

Child Sexual Abuse: Hope for Healing - Carolyn Spring

For a free 30-minute, no-obligation phone or online consultation, get in touch.

Visit www.spacebetweentherapy.com for more information