Are you or your child experiencing the verge of burnout, feeling anxious before or during competition, difficulty managing emotions, moving on from mistakes quickly, crippling under pressure, etc.? Sport psychology studies how psychological factors influence athletic performance and how participation in sports and exercise affects mental and physical well-being. It is a psychology field tailored explicitly to athletes’ unique needs. It can be used to help them overcome the mental and emotional challenges they may face as they compete in their chosen sport.

Elite athletes from various sports are breaking the stigma and speaking out. Athletes including Michael Phelps, Kevin Love, Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, Kevin Love, Lindsey Vonn, Serena Williams, Dak Prescott, Ronda Rousey, and so many more have shared personal pieces of their mental health journey, conveying the message – mental health is just as important as physical health because without one you can’t have the other.

Athletes often experience a lot of stress and pressure as they compete or become so focused on winning and achieving that they lose sight of the joy and satisfaction they can get from participating in their sport. You can learn coping strategies and resilience by seeking mental performance services. Athletes can learn how to shift their focus away from winning and onto the process of participating and enjoying their sport.

Another important aspect of sport psychology is performance enhancement. Athletes will learn techniques such as visualization, goal setting, reframing, moving on from mistakes quickly, thriving in pressure-filled moments, and overcoming burnout to help athletes improve their performance. By learning how to focus and control their thoughts and emotions, athletes can gain a mental edge that can help them to achieve their goals.

Sport psychology can also be beneficial for athletes who are recovering from an injury. Injuries can be physically and emotionally challenging to deal with and can affect an athlete’s mental and emotional well-being. Mental Performance counseling can help athletes manage their feelings of frustration, disappointment, and sadness to speed up recovery.

Seeking help from a clinician is not a sign of weakness. It takes strength and courage to admit that you need help and to take steps to improve your mental and emotional well-being. If this sounds like something, you want to bring your performance to the next level, connect with a Sport Psychologist or Clinician who are trained and dedicated to helping athletes, Military personnel, and first responders overcome mental blocks to thrive optimally under pressure.

To begin your journey of healing and empowerment, give us a call today 281-944-SWCC for a free 15-minute phone consultation. Let us know you are interested in working with someone with the expertise of sports psychology. Ms. Christa Doyle is a great resource with an extensive background in helping athletes heal.