What is Mental Skills Training?
Mental skills training is both practicing and applying mental skills and techniques to improve the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness, of training and performance in a variety of domains. You can benefit from mental skills training if you are: an athlete, coach, exerciser, personal trainer, EMT, fire fighter, police officer, business owner, military, musician, dancer, actor, doctor, or teacher.
Common Performance Topics
Team building/team cohesion
Mental toughness Injury prevention and rehabilitation Leadership |
Focus/concentration
Imagery/visualization Handling pressure/anxiety Arousal/emotional regulation |
Motivation
Goal setting Communication Self-awareness |
Consulting Experience
I have been working as a Mental Performance Consultant since 2007, and have worked with NCAA Division 1, NAIA, high school, club, competitive and recreational athletes, teams, and coaches from a variety of sports, including: rugby, soccer, football, gymnastics, softball, track-and-field, cross country running, and car racing. I also have experience working with exercise and fitness professionals, law enforcement, fire fighters, and EMTs. I take an educational approach in my performance enhancement consulting. I conduct a needs assessment to determine psychological strengths and weaknesses, I then work with my client(s) to analyze the specific demands of the sport to determine the psychological skills to focus on. Finally, I customize a program for the client and work with the client to help them improve their mental skills, and evaluate the program effectiveness.
Consulting Services
Individual Sessions
One-on-one sessions designed to help you learn mental skills to maximize your individual performance. I can work with you on a specific area or help you build a foundation of mental skills to enhance your performance.
30 minute or 1-hour face-to-face sessions
Group or Team Sessions
I will work with you to design a mental skills training program to best fit the needs of your group or team.
Workshops/Seminars
Focused on a specific topic or topics, but may also be a more general introduction to mental skills training.
Typically 1-hour, 2-hours, or half day (4 hours)
One-on-one sessions designed to help you learn mental skills to maximize your individual performance. I can work with you on a specific area or help you build a foundation of mental skills to enhance your performance.
30 minute or 1-hour face-to-face sessions
Group or Team Sessions
I will work with you to design a mental skills training program to best fit the needs of your group or team.
Workshops/Seminars
Focused on a specific topic or topics, but may also be a more general introduction to mental skills training.
Typically 1-hour, 2-hours, or half day (4 hours)
Recent Invited Community Service Workshops or Presentations
Mind over miles: Preparing to perform your best. (June, 2016). Distance running camp. Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL.
A goal without a plan is just a dream. (April, 2016). Collegiate men's soccer team workshop. Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL.
Strengthening the confidence muscle. (June, 2015). Distance running camp, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL.
Self-talk for distance runners. (June, 2014). Distance running camp, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL.
The effect of exercise on mood and mental functioning. (March, 2014). Professional development for Counseling Center staff, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL.
Beyond wishes and resolutions: How to make your goals work for you. (March, 2012). 2012 Student Organization Academy, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.
Building leadership through sport: Using sport psychology to develop leaders on and off the field. (June, 2011). Lubbock Independent School District Summer Leadership Institute. Lubbock, TX.
The key mental skills to become a better soccer player. (June, 2010). Thomas University. Youth soccer team camp. Thomasville, GA.
Beyond wishes and resolutions: How to make your goals work for you. (February, 2010). Bobby E. Leach Center, Tallahassee, FL.
Biofeedback for exercisers. (February, 2010). Bobby E. Leach Center, Tallahassee, FL.
Mental toughness for soccer players. (June, 2009). Thomas University. Youth soccer team camp. Thomasville, GA.
A goal without a plan is just a dream. (April, 2016). Collegiate men's soccer team workshop. Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL.
Strengthening the confidence muscle. (June, 2015). Distance running camp, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL.
Self-talk for distance runners. (June, 2014). Distance running camp, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL.
The effect of exercise on mood and mental functioning. (March, 2014). Professional development for Counseling Center staff, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL.
Beyond wishes and resolutions: How to make your goals work for you. (March, 2012). 2012 Student Organization Academy, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.
Building leadership through sport: Using sport psychology to develop leaders on and off the field. (June, 2011). Lubbock Independent School District Summer Leadership Institute. Lubbock, TX.
The key mental skills to become a better soccer player. (June, 2010). Thomas University. Youth soccer team camp. Thomasville, GA.
Beyond wishes and resolutions: How to make your goals work for you. (February, 2010). Bobby E. Leach Center, Tallahassee, FL.
Biofeedback for exercisers. (February, 2010). Bobby E. Leach Center, Tallahassee, FL.
Mental toughness for soccer players. (June, 2009). Thomas University. Youth soccer team camp. Thomasville, GA.