Sport Psychology

Why this resource is helpful:

"Sport psychology is a treatment approach that can benefit anyone who is performance intensive. You fit this description if you are an athlete, a college or graduate student, or a professional in a field that demands a high level of performance often under pressure. You also fit this description if you have high expectations for yourself or if you identify as a perfectionist. While there are many strengths associated with such a mindset, it can also become a detriment in times of stress, when you have experienced personal or professional setbacks, and when you perceive yourself failing to live up to expectations. Sport psychology extends to all areas of performance under pressure, and is designed to address your issues of concern while also maximizing your ability to perform at a high level.Removing Barriers. Sport psychology can help you work toward overcoming a problem that is impairing your ability to perform in your sport, academic program, job, or other activity.Balancing Athletics/Work with Other Areas. When you are devoting so much of yourself to performing at a high level in one area of your life, it can often be difficult to find the appropriate balance with other important areas. One example is balancing the roles of collegiate athlete and student. Oftentimes the immediate demands of being an athlete take precedence over completing academic tasks. Another example is balancing your work with relationships and family. It can be very difficult to find the time and energy to devote to establishing and maintaining relationships when you put so much of yourself into your work. Another consideration when it comes to balance is what happens when you disproportionately focus on one area of your life, when you define yourself by that pursuit, when your mood is dictated by your functioning on that one dimension. It can be a slippery slope from triumph to despair. Coping with Transition. Life transitions are stressful, regardless of whether they are perceived as positive or negative, and can temporarily impact you in a number of ways. Transitions are especially stressful when they occur outside of your control, such being transferred or laid off from a job, being let go by a team or sponsor, or experiencing the ending of a significant relationship. You may feel stressed, anxious, fatigued, or depressed. It is common for people to experience problems adjusting to change, which can make it especially difficult to maintain a high level of performance in athletics, academics, or in your profession. The benefit of working through this with a psychologist who specializes in sport & performance psychology is that you will have access to both clinical and performance-based expertise in the same individual. Whereas some mental health professionals are not trained to address clinical issues in the context of your athletic or professional performance, I will both consider and place importance upon them as we work through adjusting to the changes in your life."

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