About Nick
Dr Nick Spinks
UKCP Registered Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist
I offer psychotherapy to adults experiencing a range of emotional and relational difficulties, with a particular interest and expertise in working with gay, bisexual and queer men.
My approach
My approach to psychotherapy is grounded in curiosity about the ways we come to understand ourselves, our relationships and our emotional lives. I am interested not only in the difficulties that bring someone to therapy, but also in the experiences and patterns that may lie beneath them.
My core training is in psychoanalytic psychotherapy, although my wider clinical experience allows me to work flexibly. This can include longer-term, open-ended psychotherapy as well as more focused or time-limited work where this is appropriate.

Experience and training
Psychotherapy
UKCP Registered Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist working with adults experiencing a range of emotional and relational difficulties.
UKCP Registration: 2011165797
Clinical experience
More than 15 years' experience across psychotherapy and mental health services, including senior clinical and leadership roles within the NHS.
Qualifications and training
2024
Doctor of Clinical Practice (Research)
University of Exeter
2023
Mentalization-Based Treatment Practitioner
Anna Freud Centre
2017
Master of Clinical Science in Psychotherapy
University of Kent
Research and publications
My clinical practice is informed by an ongoing interest in research, particularly the psychological experiences of gay, bisexual and queer men. My doctoral research explored suicidality and internalised homophobia among GBQ+ men, and this work has contributed to peer-reviewed publications in the field.
Selected publications
‘That horrible nasty void’: Suicidality, internalised homophobia and lived experience among gay, bisexual, queer and questioning men
Spinks, N. (2026)
Psychology & Sexuality, 1–24.
Gay men and suicidality: The development and nature of the critical superego
Spinks, N. (2026)
Chapter 22 in S. Briggs, A. Lemma & W. Crouch (Eds.), Relating to Self-Harm and Suicide: Psychoanalytic Perspectives on Practice, Theory and Prevention (2nd ed., pp. 288–302). Routledge.
Gay men and suicidality: The development and nature of the critical superego
Spinks, N. (2023)
British Journal of Psychotherapy, 39(1), 106–122.
Doctoral research
Suicidality and internalised homophobia from the perspectives of gay, bisexual, queer and questioning (GBQ+) men: A narrative study
Spinks, N. J. (2024)
Doctoral dissertation, University of Exeter.
Thinking about psychotherapy?
If you are considering psychotherapy and would like to find out more about working together, you are welcome to get in touch.