Sport and performance psychologists focus on identifying and applying psychological principles that facilitate peak performance and well-being for both athletes and other performers (i.e., dancers, musicians, etc.).  It is common for parents and/or guardians to participate in the work with youth and junior athletes, as aspects of the family system often impact performance. Some of the areas addressed by clinicians include:

• Improving present moment focus during practice and competition

• Awareness of the family’s role in supporting the athlete

• Coping with pressures of competition

• Managing burnout & motivation issues

• Recovering from injuries

• Improving relationships with coaches & teammates

• Managing transitions (i.e., high-school to college, changing teams, etc.)

• Dealing with perfectionism and self-criticism

When it comes to sport performance enhancement, traditional Psychological Skills Training (PST), such as Imagery/Visualization, Self-Talk, Arousal Regulation, and Goal-Setting have proven effective for some athletes.  Others respond better to an Acceptance and Mindfulness-based approach to performance enhancement.  Because every athlete is unique, an integrated approach in which the interventions are tailored to the client’s particular needs should be implemented (i.e., individual strengths, growth areas, specific sport considerations, etc.).