Sometimes we get asked, “are mental blocks real?” This type of question usually comes from someone who has never experienced a mental block or they have a hard time understanding how a mental block happens. But athletes know they are real. And, if they aren’t dealt with properly, they can seriously affect your performance which can affect the outcomes of games, as well as your role on the team. So what can an athlete do about it? When athletes talk about mental blocks, they are usually talking about a situation where they know how to do a specific skill but their mind gets in the way. Other times athletes may be trying to learn a new skill and they know they are capable of performing that skill but again, the mind gets in the way. The mind and the body are strongly connected. And the fact that the mind can get in the way of doing a physical skill, proves this fact. However, we need to do more than simply recognize that the mind-body connection exists. We need to train the mind in...

A few weeks ago, a school counselor called us looking for some help with one of her students. She was trying to help this student but was struggling to connect with him, especially around his interest in sports. As she asked about our work and how it was similar yet different from hers, we thought about how important it is for clients like you to know these differences. To help you understand how sport psychologists are similar, yet different, from school counselors, we have created an outline that explains the What, How, Who, When, and Where for each clinician.Sport PsychologistWhat a Sport Psychologist Does: Sport Psychologists teach you mental skills and strategies you can use to manage stress, pressure, and high expectations. They also help athletes who are dealing with mental health concerns like: Anxiety Trauma Depression Finally, a Sport Psychologist can help you with everyday concerns like: Overwhelming stress (e.g. managing your sports schedule with academic demands, and...

Sport Psychology and mental health are topics that are often misunderstood and overlooked. However, it is important to address your mental game and your mental health so that you can maximize your abilities, and your life. If you are looking for books, apps, or resources related to sport psychology and/or mental health, then look no further! In this blog post, we will discuss the top books, apps, and resources that we recommend as you pursue excellence in your sport and in life. We hope that this information will help you on your journey toward your goals and ambitions!3 Mental Health Books a Sport Psychologist RecommendsMindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck A lot people are falling into the trap of believing that they are “meant to be this,” or “born to do that”. This approach artificially limits our abilities and Carol Dweck’s Mindset helps the reader learn how to expand their perspective, persevere in the face of adversity, and try things they would normally...