A NEW centre where health and wellbeing practitioners can train to help people with anxiety disorders has opened in Worcestershire.

The Linden Tree Education Centre, in Comberton Road, Kidderminster, will offer training for existing health professionals or people who want to learn how to help others. Students will be able to gain an NCFE level 4 qualification leading to an accreditation to practise as a Linden Anxiety Recovery (LAN) Coach.

The Linden Method anxiety recovery programme was established in 1997 by Kidderminster resident Charles Linden who suffered from anxiety, panic attacks, obsessions and phobias for 27 years.

His own condition had reached an extreme stage in the 1990s when he was taking a cocktail of prescription medicines, having counselling, psychotherapy and attending hospital. In a moment of clarity after a panic attack, he realised he was not as prone to them when he was being creative.

He then started developing a method to re-programme the brain and began distributing it to other anxiety sufferers. Within months had helped 1,000 around the world and eventually employed psychologists and psychotherapists to help him work with others.

Charles and the Linden Method guided self help programme of recovery has now helped 170,000 anxiety sufferers across the world.

Beth Linden, who is married to Charles and a director of the Linden tree Education Centre said: “Over the past 17 years we have helped in excess of 170,000 sufferers from around the world to regain their lives and recover from their anxiety conditions by following and implementing our programme of recovery ‘The Linden Method’.

“Up until now our clients have been supported by our centralized support specialists via telephone and email or by attending a residential retreat in Worcestershire.

“Now that we are an approved NCFE learning Centre individuals can train to become an accredited LAR coach either by completing a three-day course for appropriately qualified practitioners or by completing a home study course – both will result in a Level 4 Diploma from NCFE.

“Accredited LAR coaches will be able to offer one on one coaching to clients in their local area. This means that we will be able to reach and help more sufferers who desperately need appropriate care and practical recovery advice.

“Our vision is that Linden Anxiety Recovery Coaches will be employed to work within local healthcare, schools, colleges, universities and in organizations and the armed forces to recognize and deal with people with anxiety as their issues arise.”

She added that early recognition and treatment can prevent years of unnecessary suffering. “We are all very excited about the prospect of changing more lives with the services we offer and have been overwhelmed by the response to our announcement.

“Implementing our services will save private individuals and even the NHS a massive amount of money and provide immediate access to structured, accessible care.”