Mark Bailey
UKCP Registered Psychotherapist
Personalised, comprehensive & compassionate therapy in central London & online
How can I help you?
Almost everyone experiences psychological challenges at some point in their lives, often due to a variety of factors. You do not have to navigate these feelings alone. Symptoms such as anxiety are natural human reactions to life's difficulties and disruptions. Engaging in timely constructive therapy can facilitate healing and promote meaningful change. We do not need to be defined solely by our experiences and circumstances.
"There is something worse than being sad: being alone and being sad"
Ted Lasso
Therapy is about healing, recovery and change. My job is to help you find your own 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 (months rather than years) 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.
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Sometimes life is confusing, overwhelming or painful.
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Sometimes we need to talk about the things which bother or overwhelm us
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Sometimes we need to make sense of ourselves and our lives.
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Sometimes we want to get more from life.
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Every person has the right to change their beliefs, values and behaviours.
Common problems I help people with:
My clinical experience
ADHD management
Adjustment to major life events
Anxiety
Anger
Assertiveness
Behavioural change
Bereavement
Burnout
Celebrity/Media pressures
Depression
Grief
Interpersonal issues
LGBTQ+ orientated therapy
Medical burnout
Narcissistic/Psychological abuse
Panic attacks/Disorder
Rape and sexual assault
Self-esteem and self-worth
Shame
Sleep problems
Social Anxiety
Stress management and reduction
PTSD & trauma recovery
Workplace bullying recovery
Whether you come to me through referral or recommendation 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 and in line with guidelines and research into psychotherapy I will always check-in at regular intervals to ensure you get the best experience.
I am a UKCP-registered psychotherapist with over two decades of experience, having been in practice since 2003. I hold postgraduate qualifications in both Psychotherapy and Psychopathology, and my professional development includes training in NLP, CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, as well as person-centred and integrative approaches. In addition, I have completed specialist training approved by the British Psychological Society for the treatment and management of PTSD, anxiety, occupational burnout, depression, panic, social anxiety, various forms of OCD and have trained at the Mindfulness Centre at The University of Oxford's Department of Psychiatry. I have also undertaken specific training in supporting recovery from narcissistic abuse and workplace bullying.
My approach is down-to-earth and pragmatic with a view that therapy is a collaborative process. My role is to help you discover your own individual and meaningful solutions. Clients often describe me as warm, approachable, and someone who offers fresh perspectives on their challenges.
I also have a continuing interest in working with those suffering from professional burnout and assist healthcare workers facing mental health difficulties and have delivered training for The Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association, The Royal College of Surgeons, Royal College of GPs and NHS England. I lecture in CBT and NLP within Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy and also work as a facilitator and trainer helping staff challenge inappropriate behaviour within NHS primary and secondary care settings and in a number of European medical faculties.
I welcome clients both in-person and online from the UK and worldwide. I have a safe, quiet and confidential consulting room Regents Street, London, W1 and accept both private clients and referrals from GP's and healthcare providers including AXA, Aviva, Cigna and WPA.
Adaptation and change are always possible
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 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Neurolinguistic Therapy, Compassionate Focussed therapy and Mindfulness. My clinical experience of more than 23 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 specific therapeutic model has all the answers. So I tailor how I work to suit you - in a way that is genuinely collaborative and brings your resources to bear.
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 create meaningful change. Therapy is also about what both people bring to it - our energy, humanity, openness and vulnerability. And I have seen truly wonderful changes in clients over the years - even when they felt great frustration and little hope. Therapy is sometimes uncomfortable, it's not always easy but it can certainly be worthwhile and often genuinely transformative. You may well have some questions before we start working together. You can read some frequent questions and answers and you are also very welcome to book an initial phone consultation (there is no charge for this) as I want you to get the best outcome you can.