Author: Martyn Bailey

Living with OCD: Practical Tips for Everyday Life

January 14, 2026

By Martyn Bailey BABCP Accredited Cognitive-Behavioural Therapist Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is more than liking things neat or organised. It involves intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images or urges (obsessions) and behaviours or mental rituals (compulsions) aimed at reducing distress. Living with OCD can feel exhausting, but there are practical ways to make day- to- day life more … More Living with OCD: Practical Tips for Everyday Life

“Flow State on the Pitch: 7 Science Backed Ways to Trigger Peak Performance”

December 31, 2025

By Martyn Bailey HPCP Chartered Sport & Exercise Psychologist As a sports psychologist working with athletes across the Isle of Wight- from club players to aspiring professionals- I’m often asked the same question: “How do I play in “the zone” more often?” That effortless, time-slowing, hyper-focused state that athletes call “being in the zone” has … More “Flow State on the Pitch: 7 Science Backed Ways to Trigger Peak Performance”

Mindfulness by the Sea: CBT-Informed Exercises YOU can do on the Isle of Wight

December 17, 2025

By Martyn Bailey BACBP-Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist Living on the Isle of Wight means we have constant access to something many people only experience on holiday: the calming presence of the sea. Whether you’re listening to the waves at Compton Bay, strolling the long sands of Ryde, or sitting beneath the cliffs at Freshwater, our … More Mindfulness by the Sea: CBT-Informed Exercises YOU can do on the Isle of Wight

“Beating the Winter Blues: A Therapist’s Guide to SAD in the UK”

December 6, 2025

By Martyn Bailey, BABCP Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist Now the clocks have gone back and the days grow shorter, many of us in the UK notice a familiar dip in mood. Grey skies, early sunsets, and seemingly endless rain can leave even the most resilient among us feeling flat, tired and unmotivated. For some, this … More “Beating the Winter Blues: A Therapist’s Guide to SAD in the UK”

The Yips: Why Even Pro Golfers Choke (And How to Fix it)

November 19, 2025

By Martyn Bailey, Chartered Sport & Exercise Psychologist “It’s not the club, its not the wind. It’s the 6 inches between my ears.” – PGA Tour pro, after missing a 3-foot put You’ve seen it: the dart player who can’t release, the cricketer frozen at the crease, the golfer whose putter twitches like it’s possessed. … More The Yips: Why Even Pro Golfers Choke (And How to Fix it)

Navigating NHS Waiting Lists: 5 Self-Help strategies for Anxiety While You Wait

November 10, 2025

By Martyn Bailey, BABCP Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist “I’ve been on the waiting list for 14 months and I’m scared I’ll fall apart before I get help,” – Anonymous client 2025 If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. NHS England’s latest data (September 2025) shows over 1.8 million people waiting for mental health treatment, with … More Navigating NHS Waiting Lists: 5 Self-Help strategies for Anxiety While You Wait

Is worrying helpful?

November 5, 2024

Does worrying help? Some people say yes, it may help them prepare for something important, or focus the mind in some way. Some people say no, it is not helpful at all. An idea may be to test this out therefore one can either continue being “productive” or alternatively find something more useful. Before highlighting … More Is worrying helpful?

The Values of working with Values

March 14, 2023

Nothing against goals here as having well defined, progressive goals can help to motivate us, give us structure, routine and ultimately achieve. Unfortunately, emotional difficulties may occur when we are over-focused on these goals without giving adequate time to make sure we are measuring up to our values. Goals Let’s start with the difference between … More The Values of working with Values