Biography

Osteopath and Psychotherapist

About Robert Shaw

Photo: Mikael M Johnsson

Robert qualified as an osteopath in 1989 from the British School of Osteopathy. Having built a thriving private practice in the UK he moved to Stockholm in 2010, continuing in private practice and as an osteopathy lecturer. Robert holds the post of Senior Lecturer in Research and Practitionership at the Stockholm College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is a member of the Svenska Osteopatförbundet.

Robert is also a practising integrative psychotherapist and clinical supervisor having qualified in 1997 with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy, and in 2010 was awarded the European Certificate of Psychotherapy. He obtained his PhD in 2000 exploring the mind-body connection and has specialised training in dealing with the physical and psychological aspects of abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Today, Robert’s osteopathic practice specialises in treating those with both acute pain and longer term chronic symptoms. His whole body approach means he is able to explore many of the underlying problems which may be causing the symptoms, and help bring the fullest resolution.

Academic and research interests

He has taught in higher education since the early 1990s, initially as a clinic tutor at the British School of Osteopathy, then as a senior lecturer at Derby University, and senior researcher lecturer at the Sherwood Psychotherapy training institute.

Over time, Robert has built broad and diverse experience that includes:

  • Academic course management as a programme leader
  • Member of the Corporate Management Team to develop a Doctor of Practice course.
  • Reviewer for The International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, and Counselling and Psychotherapy Research
  • Member of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Proposal assessor for Routledge publications.
  • External Examiner for the Skandinaviska Osteopathögskolan in Gothenburg, and the College d’Etudes Osteopathiques in Montreal.
  • Previous external examiner for MSc Integrative Psychotherapy programmes in the UK.
  • Research consultant for the Swedish Osteopathic Association
  • Member of the European School of Osteopathy International faculty teaching his speciality of psycho-emotional osteopathy in Russia, Poland and Denmark.
  • Running successful CPD courses to experienced practitioners, which includes supervision follow up events.
  • Programme Director for Skandinaviska Osteopathögskolan in Gothenburg
  • Honorary Research Fellow at University of Technology Sidney (ATS), Australia, which has organised the first International Osteopathy Research Leadership and Capacity Building Program for Osteopathy

He has had several papers published, and presented at many conferences in the UK and Europe, on aspects of psychology relating to the body and exploring the mind-body connection, and has a book published based on his PhD entitled “The Embodied Psychotherapist: the Therapist’s Body Story”.

Papers and publications

Education, training and credentials

  • 2010 European Certificate of Psychotherapy
  • 2006 Somatic Trauma Training (Cambridge Body Psychotherapy Centre)
  • 2000 PhD (University of Derby)
  • 1998 Clinical Supervision in Psychotherapy (Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute)
  • 1997 PG Certificate teaching in Higher Education (University of Derby)
  • 1997 Diploma Integrative Psychotherapy (Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute)
  • 1994 MEd in Counselling (University of Derby)
  • 1989 Diploma in Osteopathy (British School of Osteopathy)
  • 1984 BSc (Hons) Microbiology (Leeds University)

Other interests

Over the past 20 years Robert has developed an interest in sculpture and has had his work exhibited in the UK.  He works primarily in limestone but has recently completed a work in Swedish oak.  He is also an accomplished classical guitar player.