Think you can’t afford a sport psychologist for your athletic department? We’re sharing why you can’t NOT to hire this valuable resource for your…
You Can’t Afford NOT to Hire a Sport Psychologist
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Athletes
Choosing Between Counseling and Sport Psychology: What You Need to Know
At White House Sport Psychology, we’re all about helping athletes excel both on and off the field. But sometimes, figuring out what kind of support you need can be a bit confusing, especially when choosing between counseling and sport psychology. Both play important roles in mental health and performance, but they’re not the same. Below, we break down the differences between counseling and sport psychology to help you understand which might be the best fit for your needs. Whether you’re looking to tackle personal challenges or boost your athletic performance, we have the insights you need to make the right choice.Understanding Counseling Counseling is about helping you navigate life’s ups and downs, focusing on addressing emotional and psychological challenges. Think of it as a supportive space where you can talk through your personal struggles and get guidance on managing them. Whether it’s anxiety, depression, or just feeling overwhelmed, counseling aims to provide relief and...
6 Foundational Approaches College Athletic Departments Should Consider When Fulfilling the NCAA’s Mental Health Best Practices
At White House Sport Psychology, we’re all about helping athletes feel their best and perform at their peak. With the NCAA’s new mental health requirements expanding to include all member institutions, college athletic departments have a unique opportunity to set a firm foundation for supporting their athletes while complying with the updated mental health best practices. Below, we’re diving into a half dozen approaches athletic departments should consider to help ensure they meet these requirements. From integrating sport psychology techniques into daily training to preparing for the future, we’re here to help you create a more supportive and effective mental health and performance program for your athletes.#1: Develop a Comprehensive Mental Health Strategy Creating a comprehensive mental health strategy isn’t just about putting a plan on paper—it’s about laying a solid foundation that supports your athletes from all angles. Start by drafting a detailed plan that outlines clear...
Why Athletic Directors, Coaches, and Staff Need to Look Beyond the Campus Counseling Center When it Comes to Sport Psychology and Mental Health For Athletes
NCAA Institutions Are Prioritizing Mental Health and Performance Support for Student-Athletes NCAA member institutions have been trying to find creative solutions to their student-athletes' mental health and performance needs for several years. New NCAA legislation mandates that colleges and universities provide accessible and appropriate resources. Given these changes, it’s easy to assume that walking across campus to the school’s counseling center is enough to fulfill an institution's responsibility to their student-athletes. However, the reality is that mental health care for student-athletes is a bit more complex than using the existing service provided to the larger student body population. What’s known or convenient may not always be in the best interest of student-athletes, athletic departments, or even the institutions themselves. Three Key Words: Access, Appropriate, Resources Many universities have University Counseling Centers (UCCs) that provide general mental health...
An Open Letter to All NCAA Schools
Dear Athletic Director, Coach, and Staff, Several years ago, I met a former football player with a compelling story about overcoming depression and suicidality. However, as great as his story is, it almost ended in complete tragedy. This young man struggled with many of the same challenges today’s athletes face—family trouble at home, little playing time, failing to live up to expectations, difficulty managing an overpacked schedule, and more. As he sunk into a deep depression, he saw the need to seek professional help—which is great—but consider this exchange he had with his counselor barely two sessions into his treatment: Athlete: “I don’t know what to do. I’m living out my dream, and yet I am in the middle of a nightmare.” Counselor: “You seem to have a lot on your plate, and your schedule feels overbooked. Have you considered quitting football?” Athlete (with an expression of shock on his face): “Don’t you realize that football is the only thing keeping me alive right...
What Coaches and Athletic Directors Need to Know About Sport Psychology and the NCAA’s Mental Health Best Practices
In the most recent version of the NCAA mental health best practices, the core content has remained largely the same, but one crucial difference exists. Each NCAA member institution must demonstrate how they are fulfilling these practices by November 2025. As a reminder, the NCAA mental health best practices are: Create healthy environments that support mental health and promote well-being Procedures for identification of student-athletes with mental health symptoms and disorders, including mental health screening tools Mental health action plans that outline referral pathways for student-athletes to qualified providers Licensure of providers who oversee and manage student-athlete mental health care As athletic directors and other department staff work to establish these practices, they need to understand them and the variety of ways each can be accomplished and have a solid understanding of sport psychology as a discipline. Developing this understanding (and how it is different from...
Understanding the New NCAA Mental Health Regulations for Student-Athletes
At White House Sport Psychology, we know that having a strong mind is just as important as being physically fit, especially when it comes to sports. Whether chasing a personal record or competing on a big stage, your mindset plays a huge role in your success. And now, the NCAA formally recognizes how crucial mental health is for student-athletes, rolling out new rules to ensure athletes get the support they need. Below, we'll explain what these new regulations mean for athletes, coaches, and teams. If you're an athlete wanting to perform your best or a coach or athletic director looking to better support your players, understanding these changes is crucial. The Growing Focus on Mental Health in Sports Mental health in sports has finally started to get the attention it deserves, especially among student-athletes. Not long ago, athletes were often expected to "tough it out" and push through, no matter how they felt mentally. But things are changing, and it's evident that mental health...
Embracing Vulnerability: The Hidden Strength in Sport Psychology
Vulnerability is a sign of strength, not weakness. By prioritizing mental health and sport psychology training you can unlock your full athletic…
Many Athletes Use Sport Psychologists, But What About Mental Performance Consultants?
So many terms—how do I make sense of them all? Mental performance is often called “sport psychology”, “mental toughness”, or “mental strength”. Other words like grit, resilience, and hardiness are also used. The way White House Sport Psychology likes to describe mental performance is by talking about an athlete’s mental game or the mental side of sports. Sports naturally include a lot of physical movement and action. But how often do we think about how our mind affects our performance? How often do we think about our mental performance? Enter, mental performance. Think of mental performance consulting as strength and conditioning for the mind. A Mental Performance Consultant teaches athletes how to build mental strength, mental flexibility, and mental endurance. Although many people use the phrase sport psychology to talk about mental performance, the truth is that mental performance is actually part of the larger field of sport psychology, which is made up of both mental...
