SPORT PSYCHOLOGY | NASHVILLE, TN
Think, feel, and perform better
Your trusted team of sport psychologists and mental performance consultants right here in Nashville
As an elite athlete, you’ve already experienced some success in your career. But like most competitors, you probably still have bigger goals to reach.
- Hoisting that championship trophy
- Becoming a scholarship athlete
- Competing for Olympic medals
- Signing a life-changing contract
Whether you experience mental blocks, performance anxiety, struggle to perform in big moments, or are looking to regain your form and trust your body again after an injury, we’re here to help.
Our team has equipped thousands of athletes and teams throughout the greater Nashville metro area with the mental tools needed to optimize performance and maximize success. We are ready to help you, too!
Meet Our Sport Psychology Team
Hannah Asafo-Adjei
Mental Performance Consultant
From dominating the volleyball court to leading teams and athletic departments, Hannah’s experience enables her to connect with the athletes, coaches, and teams she serves in a unique way.
In high school, she was a 4x state champion and 2x Gatorade Player of the Year. At the University of Texas, Hannah was a four-year starter, helping her team win three Big 12 Championships and the 2012 NCAA Women’s Volleyball National Championship. Hannah also represented the United States in international competition as a USA Volleyball Youth and Junior National Teams member. She played in two FIVB World Championships in Thailand and Peru.
After college, Hannah played professionally for Engelholms VBC in Sweden, where she led the team to a league championship and earned the MVP award.
Following her playing career, Hannah moved into athletic administration and coaching, spending nine years developing young talent and supporting over 1,000 athletes and coaches in Nashville. It was these experiences that led her to pursue her master’s degree in sport psychology at Capella University and make a shift in her career.
Now, here at White House Sport Psychology, she uses her education and range of experience in sports to help elite athletes at all levels develop and train their mental game. Hannah guides her clients to improve their grit, resilience, focus, concentration, emotional regulation, and more so that they can maximize their performance and their results.
In addition to providing support for individual athletes, Hannah assists teams and organizations looking to enhance their team culture, build commitment to a common goal, and function as a cohesive unit.
Michael Avola
Mental Performance Coach
Michael’s interest in sport psychology grew out of his own experience as an athlete. Running cross country and track in middle and high school, he developed an overuse injury that led him to recognize how much his thoughts and habits shaped his performance and enjoyment of the sport. That experience shaped his desire to help other athletes navigate similar struggles.
Michael holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Entrepreneurship from Florida Gulf Coast University, and a Master’s degree in Sport Psychology from Florida State University, where he worked with various teams at the collegiate, high school, and middle school levels. He gained experience in both team and individual sports, from tennis and rugby to ultramarathon. He is currently a Certified Mental Performance Consultant applicant under review with the Association of Applied Sport Psychology.
Before moving into sport psychology full-time, Michael gained experience in competitive, performance-driven environments through a business management internship and spent time coaching cross-country, which deepened his interest in working with endurance athletes. He remains a competitive runner himself, having qualified and run the Boston Marathon.
Now working as a mental performance coach at White House Sport Psychology, Michael helps clients recognize and reframe the thought patterns holding them back, while building on the strengths they already bring to their sport. He guides athletes toward greater confidence, resilience, and focus, helping them perform at their best while sustaining their enjoyment of the game.
Tim White
Founder, Sport Psychologist
Tim White is a licensed sport psychologist, Certified Mental Performance Consultant, and the owner of White House Sport Psychology. Having spent 20+ years training and treating elite athletes, Tim’s work is trusted by the best athletes competing in the biggest sports leagues throughout the country.
From pros pursuing their next contract, to high school and college athletes striving to jump to the next level, Tim has led countless athletes to a stronger mental game and greater mental health—giving them a competitive edge. He does this by teaching his clients how to develop and train their mental game as well as manage daily stress. He also supports teams and organizations striving for greater unity and success.
Beyond the mental side of health and performance, Tim is an industry expert in the mental aspects of injury, surgery, and rehabilitation. Injured athletes lean on him for guidance as they work toward a full and complete physical and mental recovery. He also shares his expertise in this area by regularly presenting at national conferences and coordinating the Sport Injury Special Interest Group within the Association for Applied Sport Psychology.
Tim has a unique understanding of mental and physical health and performance. He continues to use this knowledge to maximize the experience and success of all the athletes he serves.
Meet Our Operations Team
Evan Cox
Marketing
Jonathan Langley
Finance
Danielle White
Digital Content
Answering your questions about sport psychology
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What is sport psychology, and how can it benefit athletes?
Sport psychology focuses on improving athletes’ mental game and mindset so that they can enhance their sports performance and overall well-being. By addressing factors such as focus, concentration, self-belief, motivation, and resilience, athletes can unlock their full potential in and out of sport.
What sports does WHSP work with?
We work with athletes competing in all sports, including:
Team sports (e.g. Football, Baseball, Soccer, Basketball, Hockey, Softball, Volleyball, Lacrosse, Field Hockey, ETC.)
Individual sports (e.g. Tennis, Golf, Gymnastics, Diving, Figure Skating, Swimming, Running/CC/T&F, Triathlon, Ski/Snowboard, Mixed Martial Arts, ETC.)
Other sports (e.g. X-Games/Extreme sports, CrossFit Games, Equestrian, Climbing, Free Diving, Jockey/Horse racing, ETC.)
We also work with adaptive athletes and teams competing in traditional sports, as well as sports specifically designed for their abilities.
Is sport psychology only for elite athletes?
Can an injured athlete benefit from sport psychology?
Yes! Athletes dealing with injuries or those going through surgery and lengthy rehab programs need a strong mindset to successfully return to sport. The mental tools we teach our clients help them navigate issues like pain, fear of reinjury, maintaining motivation, and regaining trust in their body to hold up to the demands of their sport.
Are you able to help with mental health concerns such as mood disorders, personality disorders, and others?
Yes. Our team includes licensed psychologists who are trained to work with different mental health concerns that can be formally diagnosed such as anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, PTSD, etc. In addition, we can help with day-to-day challenges such as family relationships, difficult coaches or teammates, overwhelming stress, and more.
How often do you typically meet with clients?
We usually meet with clients every 1-2 weeks. Every so often, a client will need more frequent appointments (e.g. twice per week), or they will need to spread their appointments out over a longer period of time (e.g. once per month). We will discuss your needs and how often we should meet during your first appointment.
What does a typical session look like for an athlete?
We like to combine two main things in each session:
1st – Talking through your concerns and helping you develop a deeper understanding of not only what is on your mind but also why it is troubling you.
2nd – Teaching and practicing mental skills and strategies that you can use to help you manage your concerns in your sport as well as in everyday life.
How do you help an athlete “get out of their head”?
We teach our clients many different mental skills and strategies they can use to help them find the optimal level of focus, attention, and energy when playing their sport. Every athlete, and every situation, is different, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we tailor the mental skills and strategies we teach our clients to fit their needs so they have the tools needed to improve their performance regardless of the situation or circumstances.
How can I schedule a consultation?
Scheduling a consultation is easy. Click HERE to get started!
We’ve worked with athletes and teams from:
