Sports & Performance Psychology
Sports and athletics can be one of the most rewarding pursuits in life. Not only does physical health often promote emotional well-being, but learning new skills and improving at something you enjoy can boost self-confidence. Being a part of a team and having a caring coach can greatly improve our social world.
However, sometimes sports can expose difficulties we are having or create additional stress. Fear of injury or failure can often block us from progressing. Many sports put intense pressure on us to look a certain way to the detriment of our body image and self-esteem. Sometimes coaches can make these problems worse.
It is not uncommon for parents to put intense pressure on their children in the hopes that they will get athletic scholarships to college, which can lead to relational problems off the field. Other times, the athlete is the harshest critic. Battling an injury that takes you out of competition can be hard to cope with emotionally as well as physically. If you love your sport but it hasn’t been rewarding for you recently, it may be worth exploring why. Or perhaps you are doing well in your sport and you are looking for a competitive edge to get your mind ready for peak performance along with your body.
As a former pole vaulter and gymnast, I have experienced many of these challenges personally. I competed at the top of the NCAA Division I level at Penn State University and Brigham Young University, settings records at both schools in the shuttle hurdles and pole vault, respectively. I have also spent many years as a gymnastics coach, so I have experience in understanding the dynamics of practice, competition, and the athlete-coach relationship from both sides. As a parent to emerging athletes, I also understand the desire to help your child succeed.
If you are looking to improve your performance, improve your feelings of self-worth, or improve your relationships surrounding athletic involvement, book your first appointment or contact me for more information.