Frequently Asked Questions
Would mental training be useful for me? Consider your responses to the following questions in determining whether you could benefit from sport psychology:
· Do you feel like you are doing all you can with your physical training, but still aren’t seeing the results you want?
· Do you ever struggle with confidence?
· Do you experience fear or anxiety before or during a competition?
· Are you ever unsure as to what type of goals to be setting for your training and competitions?
· Are there times when you can’t seem to find the motivation to train?
· Do you find yourself thinking negatively when you are fatigued during training or competing?
· Do you ever feel overwhelmed with having to balance your sport with other aspects of your life?
Coaches can consider your responses to these questions as well:
· Does your team need to establish more mental toughness?
· Would you like to explore ideas as to how to get the most out of your athletes?
· Could your team have stronger communication, respect for each another’s abilities, and commitment to team goals?
· Would you like to see your team captains provide excellent leadership?
· Do you have a hard time balancing all the demands placed on you?
If I see a sport psychology consultant, doesn’t that indicate that I am mentally weak? It’s actually the opposite – the ability to realize that you want to make the most of your athletic potential should be viewed as a strength. The majority of Olympians and numerous professional athletes and teams utilize mental training because they realize that it can give them an edge over their opponents.
Isn’t sport psychology for athletes who are depressed or have an eating disorder? There are two different types of sport psychology professionals. Clinical sport psychologists are licensed psychologists who help athletes with issues such as depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, and family problems. I am an example of the other type of sport psychology professional – I help athletes with the mental side of their performance, just as a coach helps athletes with their physical preparation. I am often called a “mental coach.”
Will you tell my coach everything we talk about? While I think it can be beneficial for you to share what you learn with your coach, everything we discuss is confidential unless: you are under the age of 14, you provide your consent, or you reveal information that could potentially harm you or someone else.
How long do sessions take? Sessions tend to vary from 30-90 minutes, but average 45-60 minutes. I do not end sessions simply because an hour has passed – I believe that it is important to allow clients the time to discuss their concerns and make sure that they have something to work on before the session ends.
How long does it take to see results? This depends on many factors, but all athletes must be willing to practice mental training on their own in order to see results. Sport psychology consultants are not magicians who can simply make problems disappear and turn you into a champion. I will provide you with resources that you can use to make the most of your abilities, but you need to realize that mental training is similar to physical training. You cannot master physical skills in one day – it takes a lot of practice to see success, and mental skills work the same way. That being said, some athletes find that they only need a few sessions of mental training to get them where they want to be, while others prefer more consistent meetings (starting by meeting weekly, to every other week, then checking in on a monthly or as needed basis).
· Do you feel like you are doing all you can with your physical training, but still aren’t seeing the results you want?
· Do you ever struggle with confidence?
· Do you experience fear or anxiety before or during a competition?
· Are you ever unsure as to what type of goals to be setting for your training and competitions?
· Are there times when you can’t seem to find the motivation to train?
· Do you find yourself thinking negatively when you are fatigued during training or competing?
· Do you ever feel overwhelmed with having to balance your sport with other aspects of your life?
Coaches can consider your responses to these questions as well:
· Does your team need to establish more mental toughness?
· Would you like to explore ideas as to how to get the most out of your athletes?
· Could your team have stronger communication, respect for each another’s abilities, and commitment to team goals?
· Would you like to see your team captains provide excellent leadership?
· Do you have a hard time balancing all the demands placed on you?
If I see a sport psychology consultant, doesn’t that indicate that I am mentally weak? It’s actually the opposite – the ability to realize that you want to make the most of your athletic potential should be viewed as a strength. The majority of Olympians and numerous professional athletes and teams utilize mental training because they realize that it can give them an edge over their opponents.
Isn’t sport psychology for athletes who are depressed or have an eating disorder? There are two different types of sport psychology professionals. Clinical sport psychologists are licensed psychologists who help athletes with issues such as depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, and family problems. I am an example of the other type of sport psychology professional – I help athletes with the mental side of their performance, just as a coach helps athletes with their physical preparation. I am often called a “mental coach.”
Will you tell my coach everything we talk about? While I think it can be beneficial for you to share what you learn with your coach, everything we discuss is confidential unless: you are under the age of 14, you provide your consent, or you reveal information that could potentially harm you or someone else.
How long do sessions take? Sessions tend to vary from 30-90 minutes, but average 45-60 minutes. I do not end sessions simply because an hour has passed – I believe that it is important to allow clients the time to discuss their concerns and make sure that they have something to work on before the session ends.
How long does it take to see results? This depends on many factors, but all athletes must be willing to practice mental training on their own in order to see results. Sport psychology consultants are not magicians who can simply make problems disappear and turn you into a champion. I will provide you with resources that you can use to make the most of your abilities, but you need to realize that mental training is similar to physical training. You cannot master physical skills in one day – it takes a lot of practice to see success, and mental skills work the same way. That being said, some athletes find that they only need a few sessions of mental training to get them where they want to be, while others prefer more consistent meetings (starting by meeting weekly, to every other week, then checking in on a monthly or as needed basis).
