✋ DON'T BE FOOLED: MENTAL PERFORMANCE COACHES EXPLAINED

In the pursuit of peak performance, it is crucial not to fall prey to unqualified individuals offering sports psychology services. Not all who claim expertise in this field possess the necessary credentials, experience, or professional training. Entrusting your mental game to unqualified practitioners can lead to ineffective techniques, wasted time, and potential psychological harm. It is essential to seek out certified professionals with verifiable qualifications and a proven track record in sports psychology. These experts have undergone rigorous training and adhere to ethical standards, ensuring that their strategies and support are effective and safe. Don’t let flashy promises and quick fixes lure you away from reputable, qualified support that truly empowers your athletic journey.

The professionals working on the mental preparation of athletes have a graduate degree in Psychology or a related field and use the title “mental performance coach” to avoid the stigma behind the word "psychology" and to be seen as one more member of the team of professionals helping athletes succeed.

Being trained in psychophysiological approaches to sports performance means that we examine hormones' influence on performance, genetics' influence on performance, circadian rhythms, and sleep, as well as neurophysiological/physiological mechanisms of stress response and their impact on athletic performance and recovery. One of the tools we use to assess and train athletes is biofeedback.

A sports psychology professional is a “mental performance consultant,” which means they teach skills that athletes will use to overcome barriers in their athletic careers. A sport psychology professional does not need to be a therapist because underperformance is not a sign of a mental disorder. All real sport psychology professionals have a graduate degree, are affiliated with professional organizations, and must follow ethical guidelines.

Sports psychology professionals can come from different educational backgrounds, such as clinical psychology, educational psychology, performance psychology, psychophysiology, kinesiology, and psychiatry, which gives them a different perspective and a different set of tools to help athletes.

Self-proclaimed “mental performance coaches” are NOT sport psychology professionals. It may sound rude, but beware of self-proclaimed "mental performance coaches" who lack credentials as sport psychology professionals. Social media promises can be misleading and even dangerous when it comes to enhancing your mental game. You will have to look for qualified experts in the field for optimal results.

On my website, blogs, and social media posts, I strive to simplify sport psychophysiology for my audience. However, it is important to clarify that while I aim for simplicity, the concepts are not so basic that anyone can equate biofeedback with breathwork or assume that mental training is a one-size-fits-all solution.

Your mental performance coach is pivotal in preparing you for top performance. So, it is your responsibility to check if the education standards are upheld. Then, you can trust your mental coach, who will guide you in mastering your mental game.

In summary, athletes must understand the difference between self-proclaimed “mental performance coaches” and qualified professionals. When interviewing mental performance coaches, ask about their training, qualifications, and certification in sports psychology. Last, awareness and knowledge of how sports psychology interventions can benefit athletes will help you select the best professional for your needs.

If you want to discuss it further, schedule your free consultation.