Sports Psychology | Peak Performance

What is Sports Psychology

Sports Psychology is the application of proven psychological approaches to achieve an extra edge in sporting endeavours. Sports Psychology can be utilized on an individual, partner, and/or whole team approach. The application of Sports Psychology can make the difference in outcome when other factors such as fitness, ability, and training are general equal between two competing individuals or groups. Almost all high performance individuals and teams work with Sports Psychologists to ensure they are utilizing all their mental and physical potential to achieve their goals.

Sports Psychology Can Help Athletes With:

• Performance Under Pressure

• Performance Consistency

• Focus and Concentration

• Self-Confidence

• Anger and Frustration

• Anxiety and Doubt

• The Mind/Body Connection

What is Peak Performance

Peak Performance Psychology is an offshoot of Sports Psychology. Peak Performance Psychology takes the research and information learned through the study of sports psychology and transforms it into approaches that can be used in a wide range of areas. Peak Performance is about achieving the best possible outcomes in school, at work, in fitness training, in exams or testing situations, and in meeting personal goals. This is achieved through the application of various psychological approaches and techniques.

Peak Performance Psychology Can Help Individuals Increase:

• Mental Toughness

• Concentration

• Confidence

• Emotional Regulation

How Does it Happen?

1. The therapist works with the client to fully understand the clients goals.

   1. The client describes the sports or activity they wish to have improved performance outcomes.

   2. The therapist works too deeply understands the larger and more subtle requirements involved in the target activity.

   3. The client and the therapist work together to develop long, medium, and short-term goals and a ways to measure steps on the way to achieving those goals.

2. The therapist and client work together to identify the feelings, physical elements, situations and experiences that are inhibiting performance.

   1. The inhibiting blocks and experiences are broken down into smaller, more manageable, and more understandable pieces.

   2. The inhibiting pieces are transformed into something the client can challenge, undermine, and eventually banish.

   3. Strategies that work to disempower the blocks are developed, tested, revised, and implemented.

3. The therapist helps the client to identify thought patterns, thinking traps, and negative core beliefs that undermine performance. These negative elements are resolved through specialized application and utilization of:

4. The client is supported in stabilizing their gains and then building on those gains to reach new goals.

Why is Sport Psychology | Peak Performance so important?

A Formula One race car is only as good as its driver. It can have the highest top speed, the fastest acceleration, and the most responsive handling but it won't mean anything if it doesn't have a driver that can utilize those strengths and get the most out of the car.  

The same is true with athletes, and those who are truly interested in maximizing their potential: if your mind isn’t allowing you to utilize all of your strengths, then you aren't going to be able to perform to the best of your ability consistently. By tuning into your own thoughts, feelings, actions you will be able to connect your body and your mind to achieve what positive psychologists call a “state of flow.”

A state of flow is when an athlete is considered “in the zone.”  This is the perfect balance between anxiety and boredom, energy and apathy, success and failure.  During this state athletes don't feel the passing of time, they have clear goals, all external sounds and sensations are drowned out, they move without thinking, and perform with a clear mind and perfect confidence. 

Kris is a Sports therapist / Peak Performance Psychologist - Teens / Adults

Stephanie is a Sport Therapist | Peak Performance Therapist - Children / Teens