Psychological Experts
Please read the endorsements from our psychological experts, advisers and commentators below.
The Linden Method
An Appraisal by Dr Francis Teeney
Research Fellow, Queen’s University, Belfast
“Firstly, let me begin by acknowledging my gratitude to my close friend, colleague, mentor and stout staff Professor Roddy Cowie of Queen’s University Belfast, in my opinion one of the greatest emotional psychologists in Europe today. I am sure he would appreciate my over simplification of the emotional processes described below given that it is written for the vulnerable and non psychological reader.Over the years I have worked with many groups of people affected by what is commonly referred to as “their nerves” and as a consequence, I have used many tools to help to alleviate and overcome these issues; in most cases I have tried the techniques myself in an effort to ascertain whether it improved my own well being.This will all sound familiar to many of you and you should take comfort – often the belief is that no one has experienced what you are going through or recovered – WRONG.
As a psychologist, with an interest in human emotions, I believe that I have a thorough understanding of what is actually taking place inside the brains of anxious individuals. I also wish to state that I am working to set up a research consortium to investigate the cause and treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ ME. A major symptom in many CFS/ME cases is anxiety.
The reader will also be glad to hear that The Linden Method and Mickel Therapy are pooling resources with regards to the anxiety symptoms of CFS/ME – progress indeed.
The psychology of fear has been very well documented for almost 100 years, especially in the writings of William James, the famous American psychologist, whose findings now form an important part of the foundations on which modern emotional psychology is built.
I will not bore you with ‘science talk’, but suffice it to say that James believed the emotional centers of the brain were pivotal to health, mental stability and general wellbeing. Any greater elaboration of this would require me writing pages and would eventually arrive at the same conclusion.
Within our mid brain structures lies the emotional center. Our emotions, such as anger, sadness, joy, fear and boredom, create levels of activity within the brain that ebb and flow. You can neither laugh nor cry forever – even though we sometimes feel as if we have done the latter. In times of high anxiety, in reality, your emotional stability is simply out of balance. Too much of anything will eventually leave you unsatisfied – including ice cream or your favorite past time. Imagine then what too much exposure to stressful situations will do – apart from the obvious increase in anxiety levels, they will definitely leave you unsatisfied.
Pressure at work, at home or in relationships, fast or slow lifestyles with little fulfillment, all lead to emotional instability. What we do know for certain, is that these excesses are likely to cause the over production of adrenalin; in other words, you will be on red alert for too long and places people and things that once did not bother you, all of a sudden, become things to avoid at all cost. And yet, your salvation lies not in avoiding these things but in a structured program of anxiety recovery.
You would not run a marathon without training to increase your fitness levels, so why do you expect to succeed without training for rejoining the marathon of life. Building up new memories, positive memories, emotionally enjoyable memories, bit by bit is the key to anxiety free fulfillment.
Remember there are no bears or wolves in the local shop – William James alluded to this many years ago in his findings about how anxiety builds and manifests in the human body.
It is possible, without forcing the creation of more anxiety, to replace anxious reactions and memories with none anxious ones, very quickly.
My experience of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), is that it relies on manipulating the cognitive section of the brain. This approach can work successfully in some forms of mental illness, but due to its concentration on cognition it does not address the emotions, which is where it fails.
I detest sprouts and always have, (despite my mother telling me they were good for me); all the cognitive refocusing I can muster is never going to make me emotionally satisfied when I sit down to a plate of sprouts. If CBT has worked to change your circumstances, I am indeed very happy and wish you every success and happiness in the future. The same applies to hypnosis, drug therapy, Yoga, flooding, NLP and all the other therapies. If they work for you I am happy.
Some people do need a break from their daily stress and if their GP has proscribed them sedatives to use as a crutch in the short term, then I wholeheartedly agree that temporary relief in extreme anxiety can be far better than no relief at all. However, some day you will need to withdraw the sedatives, hopefully with the help, guidance and advice of your doctor, but by then, you will need to have implemented a technique that allows you to function without sedatives and to eliminate your anxiety completely.
I believe the Linden Method achieves just this.
Through my many conversations with Charles and my ongoing work with him, his Method and the research consortium, that includes Mickel Therapy, I have had the opportunity to evaluate Charles’ unique program. I have no doubt that The Linden Method works and clearly see how and why the structure creates recovery; it makes perfect psychological sense.
I have come to the conclusion that The Linden Method is soundly based in solid psychological understanding. It promotes emotional balance, the development of new memories of once feared situations, empowers the sufferer to step out with courage, to attempt new challenges and the program is written in easily understandable language; it is also very easy to do.
The Linden Method has helped very many people and is an easy to understand program with clear explanations of the processes taking place within your mind and body as anxiety disorder retreats. The Linden Method program is backed up by a support network of qualified anxiety specialists, psychologists and counselors, who can simply explain and reassure you about the thoughts, feelings and emotions you are experiencing.
The idea that anxiety disorder is simply “nerves” is no explanation at all and will never satisfy or settle your doubts or anxieties. Similarly, the idea that anxiety is something you have to ‘learn to live with’ or that it is a condition that you can never be free from is simply not true. The Linden Method provides a correct psychological explanation of your condition, reassurance and clear, structured guidance and is definitely a program for recovery – one that will help you create new emotional memories to replace the anxious ones – and, in addition, The Linden Method provides a blueprint for leading an emotionally fulfilled life.
The Linden Method recognizes and addresses the fact that there are no bears waiting to attack you, but rather only negative memories of fear that cause and perpetuate your anxiety condition.
The Linden Method shows you how to change those negative, anxious memories into happy and emotionally fulfilling ones.
I recommend the Linden Method wholeheartedly. It has worked for countless others and it can work for you as well.
Finally, there are many out there who would exploit those suffering from anxiety. I am glad to say that the Linden Method will give you your money back if you do not improve.
I believe that Charles is going a very long way to shutting down the exploitation of sufferers in this guarantee; his experiences at the hand of anxiety disorder for over 20 years, his 12 years of practice helping sufferers to recover, his qualified staff and his and his organization’s reputations are testament to the level of respect gained through constantly high results and many thousands of success stories. Lastly his willingness to join a consortium that will include academics and other therapies (such as those lead by Dr. David Mickel) displays an openness to have his Method ruthlessly tested and should be reassuring to those who doubt the efficiency of the Linden Method.
In other words you have nothing to lose by trying this psychologically supported recovery program but you certainly have everything to gain. “
Dr. Francis Teeney
Research Fellow Queen’s University, Belfast.
About Dr. Francis Teeney
Dr Francis Teeney is a Psychologist at Queen’s University Belfast where he is a member of the Social Issues and Health Cluster. He is also a Research Fellow at the University of Aberdeen.
In 2004, Francis became Project Manager for HUMAINE – an EU funded 34 partner/ university worldwide network analyzing emotions. Indeed his work in this emotional based research is reflected in is current investigations into the role of emotions in energy disorders such as anxiety, ME/CFS.
Francis’ recent activities involve identity and victimhood involving collaboration between the University of Aberdeen and Queen’s University Belfast.
Francis was involved in the Northern Ireland Peace Process, held numerous workshops and seminars for victims emotionally affected by the conflict, is an NLP practitioner and is at the forefront of forming an academic research consortium into the causes and treatment of anxiety and ME/CFS with Dr David Mickel, Psychologist Kyle Davies and Charles Linden. With the assistance and guidance of his close friend and colleague, Professor Roddy Cowie of Queen’s University School of Psychology, his objective is to develop a greater understanding of the role of emotions in human health and wellbeing.
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Kyle Davies – Psychologist
“As a Chartered Psychologist, I have been working within the fields of psychology, psychotherapy and mind-body medicine for over 15 years. During that time I have encountered many treatments seeking to effectively eradicate anxiety and panic disorders, however, none come close to the efficacy and potency of The Linden Method. Rather than merely attempting to remove symptoms by numbing them or working in opposition to them, The Linden Method understands the nature of anxiety and panic disorders and its success is based on sound theoretical principles as well as a comprehensive and robust package of tools and techniques that, when applied, provide all that is required for the complete alleviation of these highly debilitating conditions.
I was familiar with and impressed by The Linden Method long before ever meeting with Charles and Beth Linden. Since meeting them I have been extremely impressed with their knowledge, dedication, professionalism and compassion. I hold them and The Linden Method in the highest regard and recommend it to anyone suffering from anxiety and panic disorders.”
Kyle Davies
BSc MPhil CPsychol
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Dr Romulo Valdez – Psychologist
“As a psychologist that has been treating anxiety and depression for over 25 years, I can espouse the effectiveness of the Linden Method. It has its basis in the foundation of cognitive behavioral and cognitive restructuring theory which is the treatment of choice of all anxiety and depressive disorders.
For those of you that have suffered from either anxiety or depression, you know that the medication only serves to numb one’s experience of the real world. You also know that “talk therapy” cannot give you the tranquility that you desperately need. You most likely have spent thousands of dollars of health insurance money and money of your own to find peace of mind.
The Linden Method gives you all the tools you need to work on your issues on an hour-by-hour basis. The beauty of this method is that you are the master of your own destiny. You monitor your own progress and rely on other’s feedback to insure progress. Unlike other self-help programs, the Linden Method give you one year of ongoing support from a professional like me to help you in places where you might get stuck.
Mr. Linden is so confident in it’s efficacy that he is willing to give you a one year guarantee or he will refund your money. Read the testimonials and give the Linden Method a trial and you will see for yourself.
I have been trained by the very best in the field psychology and psychiatry as you can see by my credentials, and I endorse the Linden Method with highest regards. It give you all that you need, however, you must be willing to follow through. As in all treatment methods, compliance is mandatory. Haven’t you suffered enough? The cure is at your disposal. Why wait?”
Dr Romulo Valdez Jr., Ph.D.
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Dr Allan Norris – Psychologist
“The [Linden] Method appears to be a sensible approach to dealing with anxiety. It is not unusual for panic and anxiety sufferers to come up with their own way of dealing with it. Anxiety is really an exaggeration of normal behavior and feelings. This approach is good advice for anybody to help them control panic and anxiety.”
Dr Allan Norris MA, MSc, PhD, CPsychol, AFBPsS
The Birmingham Post, June 29th, 2004
Dr Norris is a consultant clinical psychologist and member of the British Psychological Society, who works at Birmingham’s Nuffield Hospital.
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Jennifer Brookes – Psychologist
“The Linden Method creates a full and successful recovery using targeted and supportive resources that are only available through this Method. The Linden Method is, in my opinion, the solution to anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, OCD and all their associated symptoms. Other therapies don’t produce these results that is for sure.”
Jenny Brookes BSc, MSc
Consultant Psychologist
