MARK WALSH has turned to a sports psychologist to aid his bid to defeat Raymond van Barneveld in the Bodog.com World Grand Prix on Thursday night.
Walsh, the world number ten, has turned to therapist Martin Perry after suffering 'double trouble' during the summer's majors.
Walsh has previously overcome dartitis to return to the world's elite after dropping out of the top 32 in 2007, and looked to have regained his confidence on doubles when he saw off Denis Ovens in the World Grand Prix on Tuesday.
He revealed: "I've had trouble with my doubles for about six months, losing games I shouldn't be losing.
"I think the turning point was when I played Phil Taylor in the European Championship, when I had something like 17 darts at a double and only hit four.
"That's not good enough, and the sports psychologist has told me about things that's turned my game around.
"It's about having positive thoughts all the time, thinking happy thoughts and not thinking about the negative things. I've only been seeing him for about three weeks but he's helped me big time.
"I'll keep seeing him and I'll probably have a chat with him before my next game to make sure my mind's right and I'm focused on what I've got to do."
Walsh meets world number Raymond van Barneveld, who has previously turned to Zen meditation, in the second round of the Dublin event, and believes he can deny the Dutchman a third successive World Grand Prix final.
"Raymond's a fantastic player but I've beaten him in the past and I've got no fears about him whatsoever," added Walsh. "I feel the way I'm playing I can beat him."
Tickets for the Bodog.com World Grand Prix are still available on 0818 33 33 44 or from www.ticketgroup.ie, or in person at the Citywest Hotel Convention Centre.