Frequently Asked Questions

Who can benefit from working with a sport psychology consultant?

Many people assume that sport psychology consulting is strictly for professional or Olympic level athletes, but that is not correct. The techniques and strategies utilized in consulting can be employed by any athlete who is interested in improving his/her performance. Athletes at all levels can benefit from sport psychology training whether it be for high level competition or for their own personal growth and satisfaction with a leisure sport. Additionally, sport psychology tips and strategies can be utilized in areas outside of the typical 'sport' context such as helping an individual attain general wellness or fitness goals, assisting someone in beginning a healthier active lifestyle, and weight loss goals.

What age/level is appropriate to seek consulting?

Sport psychology techniques and strategies can be utilized by athletes from junior high age through senior citizens. Though sport psychology consultants don't typically work with children under 12, there are exceptions for younger high level, sport-mature athletes.

How much does it cost for presentations/individual consultations?

Sport psychology presentations and consultations are based on a sliding scale. The cost of individual sessions is determined by assessing the needs of the client, level of competition, number of sessions required, client location, and other variable factors. Some factors that determine presentation prices are audience size, level of competition, number of presentations to be given, and client location to name a few. Fees for long-term consultations and/or presentations for sport organizations, gyms, or associations are determined based on services provided and length of contract.

What does working with a sport psychology consultant entail?

A typical consulting session will begin with an initial consultation session where the consultant will assess your performance history and develop your performance profile. After the initial consultation, ongoing sessions are scheduled, on an as-needed basis, so the athlete can discuss any issues or problems that surface during practice and/or competition such as loss of focus during the big game, or loss of confidence with a particular aspect of the competition.

How long does an athlete have to work with a sport psychology consultant to see results?

There is no magical time frame to achieving results through sport psychology consulting. The number of consultations required will be determined from assessing the individual's performance concerns and what he/she wish to achieve through consulting. It is not uncommon to see minor improvements beginning in the first 1-3 sessions and an athlete can expect to see continued improvements throughout the duration of the consultation. It is important to note however, that sport psychology consulting typically requires more than one session for long-term effectiveness. Any athlete interested in hiring a sport psychology consultant should recognize that learning the appropriate skills and techniques is a process and not a quick fix. Mental training is no different than physical training in that the athlete has to be willing to practice and incorporate sport psychology skills into his/her daily routines and practices for the skills to become automatic and beneficial during competitions. As with physical practice, sport psychology training takes time, effort, practice and repetition to achieve the greatest results.

Please contact Kelly if you have any other questions.