Mental sport performance training is a specialized field in sports psychology that enhances athletes' mental and emotional skills to improve performance and overall well-being. It includes many skills including goal setting, focus and concentration, motivation, confidence building, stress management, visualization, emotional regulation, resilience building, team dynamics, and mental preparation to name a few. These techniques help athletes manage stress, stay motivated, maintain focus, handle setbacks, build self-confidence, improve teamwork, perform more consistently and experience more joy. When practiced consistently, these skills have the potential to enhance the performance of every aspect of an athlete's life.

Mental performance training can help promote a strong foundation for mental health. We teach and encourage athletes to evaluate and tap into evidence-based protective factors known to promote mental, emotional and relational well-being. Mental performance training supports a strong foundation of the development of internal and external resources of well-being. These resources are strengths that contribute to a human's psychological well-being and resilience. Key assets and include emotional regulation, self-esteem, resilience, and strong social support. Effective coping strategies, optimism, a sense of purpose, and flexibility help individuals manage stress and adapt to challenges. Physical health and access to mental health resource also play crucial roles. Positive relationships, strong core values and a sense of belonging further support mental well-being. These assets enable individuals to navigate life's challenges, maintain a positive outlook, and function effectively in daily life. Our SPARK model incorporates all of these facets of well-being.

Performance training focuses on building positive, holistic assets of mental and emotional health. These assets promote resilience to optimize performance in sports and all aspects of life! Consultants use techniques such as goal setting, strategy development, relaxation techniques and visualization to name a few. Mental Health Counseling and Mental Performance Training serve different but sometimes overlapping needs. Counseling addresses mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, aiming to improve emotional well-being through therapeutic methods, with licensed professionals. Sometimes, mental health issues arise during performance training, and our Consultants will refer those clients to vetted mental health counselors for specialized support. Certified Mental Performance Consultants engage in coaching services and are not mental health therapists. Lindsey Ervin, MS, LSC, LPCC / Owner is a clinical mental health therapist and sees a limited number of athletes in her private practice.

Individual sessions are 50 minutes. Groups can vary based on topic. Frequency and duration depends on the athlete and their goals. Our recommendation is to start with our 8 Week SPARK program either by group, team or individual sessions and evaluate from there. Many athletes engage in one-on-one coaching for several weeks or months as they are training and competing. Other athletes will learn the skills and continue to practice on their own, perhaps coming back for a a few sessions to prepare for an upcoming season.

A Certified Mental Performance Consultant is a coach who has earned a master’s degree in the field of sport psychology and is certified or is pursuing certification through the Association of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). Our consultants are deeply committed to serving and caring for the human in the athlete. Consultants build positive relationships with athletes and guide them in the  development of strategies, skills and resources of well-being which supports optimal performance in sport and life.

We serve athletes ages 10 years old and up. Starting mental performance training at a young age helps athletes develop the mental skills needed for long-term success and enjoyment in their sport. Younger athletes focus on basic skills like goal setting, positive self-talk, and visualization. Early training helps build good habits, enhance performance, develop resilience, and boost confidence. As athletes age, techniques can become more advanced, including mindfulness and detailed mental rehearsal. Consistent practice and support from parents and coaches are crucial for effective development of these skills.

We are committed to the human in the athlete and our programming reflects our holistic approach. The SPARK Mental Performance Model© is our comprehensive playbook for enhancing athletes' mental skills and overall mental health. Our model includes five pillars: Self-awareness and Strategy Development, Practice and Habit development, Attention Enhancement, the 4 R’s (Regulate, Reframe & Reset & Relax) and what we call Key Resources of Well-Being. Within each of our 5 pillars are multiple skills, strategies and resources which promote mental and emotional vitality and spark positive changes in the way athletes relate to themselves. Athletes may also experience positive benefits in their relationships and in how they think, feel and behave on and off the field.

Yes! We provide workshops, individual and group coaching for parents. Parenting and supporting athletes can be challenging for many reasons. Our parent coaching services empower parents with the language and skills needed to effectively support their athletes. By providing education and tools for enhancing communication between parents and children, our consultants equip parents with effective strategies for positive reinforcement and emotional management throughout the sports journey. We assist in setting achievable goals, navigating conflicts within the athlete-parent-coach relationship, and fostering an environment that promotes teamwork and mutual respect. Ultimately, our coaching strengthens family and team dynamics by equipping both athletes and parents.

We love to come alongside teams! Our Consultants can provide custom programming depending on needs and offer a wide variety of services and packages. Please contact us for more information.