Mark Bailey
Registered Psychotherapist
How can I help you?
I don't believe therapy is about "fixing" people - there's nothing "wrong" with us; symptoms like anxiety are not "disorders" as such - they are understandable responses humans have to difficulties and disruptions to our lives. Therapy is about hope and encouraging change in ways which help us evolve and reduce suffering so we can lead more vibrant, meaningful lives. We are more than our stories, we are more than labels. Most of us will suffer from psychological problems at one time or another and there are many, many reasons why. Whatever you're feeling there is no need to suffer on your own.
Sometimes in life we all need to talk about things which bother, overwhelm or concern us or that we just want to make sense of. I won't judge you. Many of us may do a good job of appearing to function well to others, but inside we feel pain, confusion or unease. My job is to help you find your way of navigating through emotional and psychological difficulties with skill, empathy and kindness and to help you develop your own psychological resources. Often our greatest life hurdles can prove to be (in the longer term at least) a turning point to something better in the future. We all sometimes need help with this.
You may have more than one ongoing concern - so we can prioritise how we help you. I tend to work on a brief basis with clients but there is no set rule as your needs are specific to you. However I think it always helpful to have the outcome that you want in both our minds so your therapy is focussed and potent.
Specific problems I help people with...
Adjustment to big events
Anxiety
Anger
Assertiveness training
Behavioural change
Bereavement
Body Dysmorphia
Chemsex recovery
Healing from child abuse
CPTSD
Depression
Grief
Gender Identity
Interpersonal issues
LGBTQIA therapy
Physical & Psychological abuse
Phobias
Rape and Sexual assault
Sexuality
Shame
Sleep problems
Social Anxiety
Stress management and reduction
PTSD
About Me
I know that reaching out for help is not easy. Whether you come to me through recommendation, referral, a health provider or a search engine, it is important you choose a therapist who has the necessary skills to help you and who you feel comfortable working with. I want the best for you right from the start and clinical research says time and time again the "therapeutic relationship" is the single most important factor in outcomes - far and above the methods used. So finding someone you trust enough and work well with is a priority especially if we are not used to talking about ourselves or we have been hurt or traumatised. That therapist may or may not be me. So I always suggest at the end of the first session we both make a decision and check-in a regular intervals if we continue.
I am a UKCP Registered Psychotherapist and have been in Clinical Practice since 2001. I hold Post-Graduate qualifications in Psychotherapy and Psychopathology. My further training encompasses NLP, CBT, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Person-centred and Integrative approaches and I hold British Psychological Society approved training for PTSD , Anxiety, Depression, Panic, Social Anxiety and and different types of OCD. I am down to earth, pragmatic and passionate that therapy is a collaborative process - my job is to enable you to find your own individual, specific answers to your problems. Clients tell me I am warm and easy to talk to and offer different ways of looking at problems.
Experience over the years has taught me that theory is helpful but what happens in successful therapy should not be dictated by it. Although some methods suit some problems better than others, no one size fits all and no specific therapeutic model has all the answers. What may work for one person will therefore not necessarily fit someone else. So I utilise a number of these approaches.
Away from therapy I volunteer for St John Ambulance and during the Covid pandemic I worked as a frontline Vaccinator for the NHS. I also work as a trainer helping people challenge inappropriate behaviour for schools, universities and in the NHS.
I see clients both in person and online and welcome clients from the UK and worldwide. I have a safe, quiet and confidential consulting room Regents Street, London, W1.
I employ a variety of approaches to help clients overcome their hurdles and enjoy the kind of life they would prefer. I integrate different methods including CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Neurolinguistic Therapy, Compassionate Focussed therapy and Mindfulness. The only reason these "modalities" matter is that some approaches can work better for some people or issues more than others.
In truth the most significant factor in terms of therapeutic outcome is the relationship between client and therapist as well as the experience and expertise the therapist brings. The modality, i.e. the type of therapy is very much secondary to this - which is why I integrate methodology. Most importantly therapy can be a collaborative alliance for your benefit where you feel comfortable, safe and also challenged enough to foster change. And with this I have seen truly wonderful changes in clients over the years - even when they felt great frustration and little hope. Therapy is about what both people bring to it. It is sometimes uncomfortable, it's not always easy but as such worthwhile.
I want the very best for clients so will check with you how you think we are working together very early on in therapy and then at regular intervals along the way to ensure you are getting what you need. If for any reason you don't feel you are we can discuss this and either develop how we work and change direction or I can refer you to another therapist. The most important thing is that you find the right therapist for you.
Therapy can be beleaguered by confusing terminology and can become too clever to actually be useful! So I work with clients how I would want a therapist to work with me: I am down to earth, approachable, supportive, empathic, human, non-shaming, kindly challenging and always with a focus on helping you achieve the results you want and helping to reduce psychological pain and negative symptoms.
My Approach
VALUES THAT INFORM MY WORK
Here are my values as a therapist. They might help you in your decision.
No matter how dark the moment, love and hope are always possible.
George Chakiris
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Genuine therapeutic change is both challenging and rewarding.
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Human's are capable of self-healing.
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Therapists don't change people. Good therapists offer people the space to CREATE their own changes. Whether you do or not remains your privilege and responsibility.
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Therapy is about two people working together for the benefit of the client.
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Insight is one thing - our actions are what change our lives.
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Integrity and honesty are central to ethical, honourable work.
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No-one needs to be perfect. And I am certainly not.
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We've all screwed things up in life and we can all heal.
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Healing is progressive and takes time, patience and effort. There are rarely quick fixes.
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I will work with you whilst you change, but will not help people stay the same.