Nicholas Burden

Pain is part of being human, the price we pay for loving and wanting to love. 

Even the most fortunate of us have been wounded.  And the feelings which tell us about our hurts are so very human too.  As painful as they can be, our feelings give texture and meaning to life, give us direction and help us to connect with ourselves and others. 

 Sadly, many of us have learned very early on and without meaning to that we should hide or ignore or punish these feelings, and when we do this we can cause further suffering which shows up as anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties and a whole host of other mental health difficulties. 

 But if we can turn towards our painful feelings, listen to what they have to tell us and feel them deeply rather than avoiding them in unhelpful ways, then we can find healing on the other side and live a life with more freedom and connection.

 What is hurt in relationship must be healed in relationship, and I see my role as your therapist as walking with you step by step as you begin to welcome these exiled feelings back home, in whatever stage of the journey you are on.

My therapy approach is primarily informed by Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP), an evidence-based emotion-focussed therapy which uses the therapy relationship to help people to stop avoiding their feelings in unhelpful ways which lead to anxiety, depression, somatic complaints and relationship difficulties.  However, as an integrative therapist I draw on other therapies when appropriate to suit the needs of the individual, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS).  

I have a developing interest and training in the new research around psychedelic assisted therapies and I have also received training in ‘bad trip integration’ – helping people to integrate negative experiences of psychedelics.  I have a background in Social Psychology and Cultural History research and I am fascinated by what we can learn about human suffering and wellbeing from our early human ancestors and also in the ways that nature, myth/story, ritual and repetitive practice in community can serve as a structure for a connected, integrated life.