Discover the top benefits of partnering with a sport psychologist to support your campus’ student-athletes from the experts at White House Sport…
For elite athletes, it’s different when it’s personal Olympic track and field gold medalist Letsile Tobogo’s (Botswana) story began not unlike many elite athletes. He pursued greatness in his sport to help support his family financially, specifically his mother, who worked hard and provided all she could for her son. Growing up with little money, Letsile was motivated by more than accolades or notoriety, but financial survival. In May of 2024, just a few months before the Paris Olympics, his mother passed away unexpectedly. According to an article released just before the Olympics, Tebogo said his form had been inconsistent recently because his mother's death hit him so hard. “I believe there is a medal in these legs and it only needs the determination and the willpower to do it,” he said. “I've had such a huge blow that affected me deeply so I'm still trying to get the confidence back into the body. It's not about injuries, it is all about my mum."Becoming an Olympic champion Fast...
Learn how sport psychology complements college counseling services, providing student-athletes with specialized support. Discover why tailored mental…
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Athletes often face inner battles just as intense as the physical ones they face on the field or court. One of the most common challenges is the overwhelming sense that they know they need to change their mindset, but they feel stuck, unsure of how to get from where they are to where they need to be mentally. Thoughts Many Athletes Have: “I don’t want to limp into securing a roster spot.” “I don’t want to limp into the playoffs.” “I don’t want to back-door my way into the postseason.” “I’m tired of playing scared and passive.” “I know I need to play more assertively and aggressively.” “I know I need to be more confident.” “I know I need to change my focus.” These thoughts are familiar for even elite athletes feeling held back by uncertainty, self-doubt, or hesitation in their performance. Knowing you need to be more confident or aggressive on the field isn’t enough; the real challenge lies in how to actually shift your mindset to make it happen. The Core Problems Athletes Face:...