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Owen O’Kane - Bestselling Author, Psychotherapist, Former NHS Clinical Lead, Keynote Speaker

Owen O’Kane

Owen O’Kane Bestselling Author, Psychotherapist, Former NHS Clinical Lead

Owen O’Kane - Bestselling Author, Psychotherapist, Former NHS Clinical Lead, Keynote Speaker
Owen O’Kane's Biography

Owen O'Kane is a Sunday Times bestselling author, former NHS mental health clinical leader, and BBC Radio 5Live resident mental health expert delivering transformational keynote presentations on resilience, mental wellbeing, and managing uncertainty.His down-to-earth, humorous approach to serious mental health topics has resonated with audiences across corporate, healthcare, educational, and public sector organisations.With three bestselling books—"Ten to Zen," "How to Be Your Own Therapist," and "Ten Times Happier"—Owen brings clinical credibility combined with authentic personal narrative and practical mental health tools audiences can implement immediately. About Owen O'Kane Owen's career spans mental health clinical leadership, therapeutic practice, mental wellness advocacy, and mental health media expertise. As a former NHS mental health clinical leader, he brings evidence-based clinical understanding grounded in direct patient care experience.His role as BBC Radio 5Live's resident mental health expert—a position requiring significant media credibility and communication skill—has established him as a trusted voice on wellbeing and mental health topics for millions of listeners. His personal background profoundly shapes his perspective and credibility. Growing up in Northern Ireland during "the troubles," Owen developed deep understanding of resilience, adversity, trauma, and finding hope in genuinely challenging circumstances. This lived experience with genuine hardship informs his speaking authentically—he understands that resilience requires more than positive thinking; it requires practical frameworks grounded in real experience. His earlier career in palliative care reflects his deep commitment to supporting individuals through life's most challenging experiences. This clinical foundation in supporting people navigating loss, grief, and profound uncertainty provided the foundation for his contemporary work in mental wellbeing and resilience coaching. Owen's author credentials establish him definitively as a thought leader in mental health and wellbeing. His books—"Ten to Zen," "How to Be Your Own Therapist," and "Ten Times Happier"—have achieved Sunday Times bestseller status, indicating significant reader engagement and mainstream recognition. His publishing success demonstrates his ability to translate complex mental health concepts into accessible, actionable resources people genuinely use. His communication style is distinctive: humorous, relatable, humanising, and normalising mental health struggles whilst providing concrete tools and frameworks. He demystifies therapy, makes mental health accessible to mainstream audiences, and positions wellbeing not as luxury but as essential organisational and individual practice. Key Achievements & Awards Sunday Times bestselling author: "Ten to Zen," "How to Be Your Own Therapist," "Ten Times Happier" Former NHS mental health clinical leader BBC Radio 5Live resident mental health expert Palliative care background in supporting individuals through profound life transitions Resilience expert drawing on personal experience navigating "the troubles" in Northern Ireland Trusted mental health voice reaching millions through broadcast media Clinical expertise combined with accessible communication and authentic personal narrative Selected by Jake Humphrey as mental health expert on the High Performance Podcast Tour Featured with Fearne Cotton on her Happy Place platform Former columnist for Attitude Magazine and an active advocate for LGBTQ+ rights Charity collaborator with Hospice UK and The Prince’s Trust

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Owen O’Kane Speaker Solutions

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Owen O’Kane Keynote Topics
Managing Uncertainty

Owen helps audiences understand how uncertainty impacts our minds and emotions, and why learning to live with it is vital for wellbeing. He shares practical psychological tools to manage anxiety, make clear decisions, and remain steady in unpredictable times.

This talk is designed for organizations navigating rapid change. Attendees leave with strategies to build resilience and confidence, allowing them to perform effectively even when the future feels unclear.


Coping With Change

Our speaker Owen O’Kane explores how people can adapt more smoothly to life and workplace transitions. With warmth and clarity, he explains why change often feels difficult and how to transform it into a catalyst for growth.

This keynote empowers teams to embrace change with openness rather than fear. By learning to shift perspective, participants discover how to unlock new opportunities and maintain balance in evolving environments.


Bouncing Back

In this keynote, Owen shows how setbacks, stress, and disappointment can be stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks. He outlines the mindset shifts and coping skills that enable people to bounce back stronger.

Organizations benefit from a workforce that is more adaptable, motivated, and solution-focused. This talk equips audiences with a resilient outlook that supports both individual wellbeing and collective success.


Adjusting in Times of Crisis

Owen provides a compassionate yet practical guide to navigating crises. He explains how to stabilize emotions, find perspective, and maintain hope when circumstances are at their toughest.

This session gives leaders and teams the tools to stay grounded in difficult times. By fostering calm and clarity, participants learn how to support themselves and others when it matters most.


Hope in Challenging Times

Our speaker Owen emphasizes why hope is not just an abstract ideal, but a powerful psychological tool. He shows how cultivating hope can boost resilience, motivation, and emotional wellbeing during difficult periods.

Audiences leave this talk feeling uplifted and equipped with strategies to nurture optimism. For organizations, it inspires a culture of positivity and perseverance, even in the face of adversity.

Owen O’Kane
Owen O’Kane's Biography

Owen O'Kane is a Sunday Times bestselling author, former NHS mental health clinical leader, and BBC Radio 5Live resident mental health expert delivering transformational keynote presentations on resilience, mental wellbeing, and managing uncertainty.

His down-to-earth, humorous approach to serious mental health topics has resonated with audiences across corporate, healthcare, educational, and public sector organisations.

With three bestselling books—"Ten to Zen," "How to Be Your Own Therapist," and "Ten Times Happier"—Owen brings clinical credibility combined with authentic personal narrative and practical mental health tools audiences can implement immediately.

About Owen O'Kane

Owen's career spans mental health clinical leadership, therapeutic practice, mental wellness advocacy, and mental health media expertise. As a former NHS mental health clinical leader, he brings evidence-based clinical understanding grounded in direct patient care experience.

His role as BBC Radio 5Live's resident mental health expert—a position requiring significant media credibility and communication skill—has established him as a trusted voice on wellbeing and mental health topics for millions of listeners.

His personal background profoundly shapes his perspective and credibility. Growing up in Northern Ireland during "the troubles," Owen developed deep understanding of resilience, adversity, trauma, and finding hope in genuinely challenging circumstances. This lived experience with genuine hardship informs his speaking authentically—he understands that resilience requires more than positive thinking; it requires practical frameworks grounded in real experience.

His earlier career in palliative care reflects his deep commitment to supporting individuals through life's most challenging experiences. This clinical foundation in supporting people navigating loss, grief, and profound uncertainty provided the foundation for his contemporary work in mental wellbeing and resilience coaching.

Owen's author credentials establish him definitively as a thought leader in mental health and wellbeing. His books—"Ten to Zen," "How to Be Your Own Therapist," and "Ten Times Happier"—have achieved Sunday Times bestseller status, indicating significant reader engagement and mainstream recognition. His publishing success demonstrates his ability to translate complex mental health concepts into accessible, actionable resources people genuinely use.

His communication style is distinctive: humorous, relatable, humanising, and normalising mental health struggles whilst providing concrete tools and frameworks. He demystifies therapy, makes mental health accessible to mainstream audiences, and positions wellbeing not as luxury but as essential organisational and individual practice.

Key Achievements & Awards

  • Sunday Times bestselling author: "Ten to Zen," "How to Be Your Own Therapist," "Ten Times Happier"
  • Former NHS mental health clinical leader
  • BBC Radio 5Live resident mental health expert
  • Palliative care background in supporting individuals through profound life transitions
  • Resilience expert drawing on personal experience navigating "the troubles" in Northern Ireland
  • Trusted mental health voice reaching millions through broadcast media
  • Clinical expertise combined with accessible communication and authentic personal narrative
  • Selected by Jake Humphrey as mental health expert on the High Performance Podcast Tour
  • Featured with Fearne Cotton on her Happy Place platform
  • Former columnist for Attitude Magazine and an active advocate for LGBTQ+ rights
  • Charity collaborator with Hospice UK and The Prince’s Trust

Owen O’Kane is ready to inspire your teams!
To invite this speaker:

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Owen O’Kane testimonials

Helen Parker

MD & EVP Universal Picture

“The feedback we have gotten from the team is fantastic and I think it will have long reaching benefits. Owen's message has really resonated with everyone."

Jess Littlewood

Communications Director, Theo Paphitis Retail Group

Owen spoke to an audience of 1K + people at our business event in Birmingham. His content and engagement were fantastic. His session was by far the standout session of the day, and we wouldn’t hesitate to book him again.

Alex Connors

Head of Corporate and Portfolio Strategy, Vodafone Business

Owen ran a series of interactive mental wellbeing sessions for Vodafone staff. The feedback from these sessions was incredible. I still regularly get colleagues talking about them today.

Hannah Smith

COO / Jake Humphrey High Performance

The audience’s responses to Owen’s UK wide theatre talks on the High- Performance live shows was incredible. He delivered relevant and insightful content in an engaging way which had the audience both laughing and deep in thought. We hope to work with Owen again on future projects.

Fearne Cotton

Broadcaster/ Happy Place

Owen is a regular speaker at Happy place festivals and events. He is a brilliant speaker and engages audiences wherever he goes. I can’t recommend him enough. He is a true professional but also has a fantastic down to earth, humorous approach.

Frequently Asked Questions About
Owen O’Kane

Owen specialises in mental health, resilience, managing uncertainty, stress management, and wellbeing. His presentations combine clinical evidence, personal narrative, humour, and practical tools audiences can implement immediately.

Contact Speaker Agency UK with your event details, audience composition, and desired mental health focus area. Owen is available for corporate wellness programmes, healthcare conferences, employee mental health initiatives, and educational presentations. Speaking fees vary based on event scope and location.

Owen delivers keynotes at corporate wellness conferences, employee mental health programmes, healthcare and mental health professional events, educational institutions, mental health awareness initiatives, and organisational resilience programmes.

Owen is a former NHS mental health clinical leader with training and experience in mental health practice, therapeutic intervention, and psychological support. His palliative care background provided experience supporting individuals through profound life transitions.

Speaking fees vary depending on event size, duration, location, and preparation requirements. Contact Speaker Agency UK for a personalised quotation based on your specific event needs.

Owen is based in the UK and available for speaking engagements across the UK, Ireland, Europe, and internationally.

Owen is the author of "Ten to Zen" (mindfulness and wellbeing practices), "How to Be Your Own Therapist" (therapeutic techniques for self-support), and "Ten Times Happier"—all Sunday Times bestsellers addressing practical mental health and wellbeing.

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