Book read mental skills are often not enough…
Sport Psychologists regularly teach and support athletes with mental skills. Mental skills including attentional focus strategies, goal setting, arousal control, imagery and self-talk are essential for effective performance. They enhance enjoyment, goal attainment, balance and commitment.
Whilst, basic mental skills can be learned from reading a book or listening to a podcast, to be most effective, mental skills can be individually tailored to the sport, the individual, the specific need and the environment in which they are being used. Sport Psychologists are aware of the specific needs of athletes of all ages and stages. Registered Sport and Exercise Psychologists have studied the specific needs of athletes and performers and can assist with tailoring mental skills to an individual’s specific needs, personality, coping and environment.
Mental skills alone however, will not fully support an athlete. If an individual’s mental health or well-being is not optimal, the effectiveness of mental skills will be limited.
Sport and Exercise Psychologists are educated and aware of the specific mental health issues that impact the active population, such as performance pressure, perfectionism, identity, transition stages, body image and refocusing. They can help identify, assess and address underlying cognitive, emotional, personality, perpetuating and self-limiting factors that impact enjoyment, satisfaction, motivation, confidence and effective performance.
Research also indicates that
- early teaching of mental skills and strategies the promote positive mental health and well-being increases likelihood of reaching our later when needed.
- positive, open attitudes of support people to help seeking behaviors lead to more help seeking when needed.
Contact us to speak further.