Biography
Charles Linden
Founder of The Linden Centre, author of the Linden Method, and the named principal behind 30 years of one-to-one anxiety recovery work.
By The Linden Centre Editorial Team · Last reviewed May 2026
Charles Linden is the founder of The Linden Centre in Kidderminster, Worcestershire — the corporate home of the Linden Method since 1996. He is the author of the Linden Method itself, an evidence-based anxiety recovery programme delivered to several hundred thousand clients worldwide.
This page is the consolidated, verified biography. It exists so that anyone searching for accurate biographical information about Charles can find it in one place, alongside links to every public profile and platform he is responsible for.
Background
Charles Linden's interest in anxiety recovery began with his own recovery from severe generalised anxiety, panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in the mid-1990s. The Linden Method — published in 1996 and refined continuously since — was developed from the patterns he identified in his own recovery and validated subsequently across the client population at The Linden Centre.
He has spent the three decades since building a structured organisation around that work: the original online programme, the residential retreats, the LAR Coaching team, the Charles Linden Institute training arm, and the Mental Stealth podcast. Each is a distinct legal entity inside The Linden Group, sharing a common methodology and quality standard.
Published work
Charles has authored multiple books on anxiety recovery. The original Linden Method workbook remains the spine of the online programme and has been translated into several languages. More recent titles address specific presentations — OCD, panic, health anxiety — drawing on case material from across the practice.
His books are not the same product as the Linden Method programme. The books are an introduction; the programme is the full recovery system, delivered with coach support.
The independent NHS evaluation of the Method
The Linden Method was the subject of an independent evaluation in an NHS Shropshire setting. The data was analysed by Martin Jensen at Kingston University and the University of Copenhagen. Using the GAD-7 generalised anxiety screening tool, the evaluation reported a pre-intervention mean of 18.28 and a post-intervention mean of 2.84 (n=61). The Wilcoxon signed-rank statistic was Z = -6.802, p < .001.
Charles is consistently careful to describe this for what it is — an independent evaluation in one NHS setting, not a multi-centre randomised controlled trial. The full methodology lives on the /trial-results page on this site.
Speaking, media and current work
Charles continues to take a small caseload of clients personally and remains the principal of the Charles Linden Institute, the training arm responsible for accrediting new LAR coaches. He hosts the Mental Stealth podcast — conversations with recovered clients, coaches and recovery practitioners — and contributes commentary in print and broadcast media.
Public profiles
These are the official public profiles. Anything published in his name on a platform not listed here is not authorised by him or by The Linden Centre.
- charles-linden.com — personal site and writing.
- thelindencentre.org — corporate site of The Linden Centre.
- charleslinden.institute — training and accreditation.
- mental-stealth.com — podcast.
- The official Mental Stealth podcast feed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Frequently asked
- What qualifications does Charles Linden hold?
- Charles is not a clinician and does not present himself as one — anxiety recovery coaching is not a regulated profession in the UK. The Linden Method is presented as an evidence-based recovery programme, not a clinical treatment. He has thirty years of operational experience running The Linden Centre, an independently-evaluated methodology, and a 60-day refund policy on every product.
- Is Charles Linden the same person as the various other Charles Lindens online?
- Names overlap on the public internet. The Charles Linden behind The Linden Centre and the Linden Method is the named principal of the registered company, the author of the books listed above, and is contactable through any of the official platforms listed.
- How do I contact Charles Linden directly?
- Email questions@thelindencentre.org and mark your message 'For Charles'. He reads escalated messages personally.
- Where can I read more about the Linden Method itself?
- The /the-linden-method page on this site is the technical introduction. The /trial-results page sets out the independent evaluation. The /reviews/the-linden-method page summarises client feedback honestly.
More from LAR Coaching
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