By Allie Wagener, Ph.D., LP, CMPC
We spend countless hours helping athletes develop their physical skills. Practices, strength training, private lessons, and recovery are all part of the process. But what about the mental side of performance?
One of the most common questions I hear from parents and athletes is, "How do I know when it's time to work with a sport psychologist?"
My answer? You don't have to wait until something is wrong.
Over the past 20 years, I've worked with athletes ranging from young children just beginning their athletic journeys to Olympians and professional athletes competing at the highest levels. One thing I've learned is that mental training isn't reserved for athletes who are struggling. It's an opportunity to develop skills that support both performance and well-being.
So how do you know when sport psychology might be helpful?
1. Performance Looks Different in Practice Than in Competition
You've probably seen it. An athlete looks confident and relaxed in practice, but when game time arrives, something changes.
They hesitate, overthink, or begin playing cautiously.
Competition brings expectations, uncertainty, and pressure. Mental training helps athletes learn to direct their attention, trust their preparation, and stay engaged even when nerves show up.
The goal isn't to eliminate pressure. It's learning how to perform with it.
2. Mistakes Are Difficult to Move Past
Mistakes are inevitable in sport. But for some athletes, one mistake can impact the rest of a game or even their next performance.
They replay what happened, become frustrated, or begin worrying about making another mistake.
Mental training helps athletes acknowledge what happened, learn from it when appropriate, and return their attention to what comes next.
Moving on is a skill. And like any skill, it can be practiced.
3. Confidence Depends on the Last Performance
Confidence can feel pretty easy when everything is going well. But what happens after a tough game, reduced playing time, or a disappointing performance?
Many athletes begin questioning their abilities when results don't match expectations.
One of the things we work on in sport psychology is helping athletes develop a more flexible relationship with confidence.
You don't have to feel confident to compete effectively. Athletes can learn to trust their preparation and take meaningful action even when doubt is present.
4. Perfectionism Is Taking Away From the Experience
High standards can be helpful. Many successful athletes are driven, disciplined, and deeply invested in improving.
But there's a difference between pursuing excellence and believing anything less than perfect is unacceptable.
Perfectionism may show up as excessive self-criticism, fear of disappointing others, or difficulty enjoying success.
We don't need athletes to care less about their performance. We want to help them pursue excellence without losing their enjoyment of the experience.
5. Sport Isn't as Enjoyable as It Used to Be
Not every practice will be fun, and not every season will go as planned.
But when an athlete consistently seems overwhelmed, disconnected, or no longer interested in something they once loved, it's worth getting curious.
Are they experiencing too much pressure? Have expectations changed? Do they still feel a sense of ownership over their athletic experience?
Sometimes athletes benefit from additional support. Other times, parents and coaches may need to examine how they can better support the athlete.
The goal isn't simply to keep kids playing sports. It's to help them develop a healthy relationship with competition, movement, and themselves.
6. An Injury or Transition Has Changed Their Experience
Injuries are often discussed in terms of physical recovery, but the psychological side deserves just as much attention.
Athletes may experience frustration, fear of reinjury, isolation from teammates, or uncertainty about returning to competition.
Transitions can bring similar challenges, whether it's moving to a new team, entering college athletics, changing roles, or approaching the end of a competitive career.
Sport psychology can help athletes navigate these experiences while staying connected to their goals, relationships, and identity beyond sport.
7. They Want to Elevate Their Mental Game
This might be my favorite reason.
An athlete doesn't need to be struggling to benefit from mental training.
Some athletes simply recognize that they've spent years developing their physical abilities and want to give the same attention to their mental skills.
They want to improve focus, prepare more effectively for competition, strengthen communication, or develop leadership skills.
We see this regularly at the highest levels of sport. Mental preparation is part of overall development.
Why should younger athletes have to wait until they're struggling to learn those same skills?
What Does Working With a Sport Psychologist Look Like?
Sport psychology isn't a one-size-fits-all approach.
At Achieve Performance Psychology, we begin by getting to know the athlete, their experiences, personality, goals, and the challenges or opportunities they're navigating.
From there, we work together to develop practical skills they can apply in training, competition, and everyday life.
As licensed psychologists, we also recognize the importance of understanding the whole person, not just the athlete.
Because performance and well-being are connected, and both deserve attention.
The Mental Side of Sport Matters at Every Level
Whether an athlete is just beginning their journey, hoping to compete in college, or performing professionally, mental skills are part of the experience.
Sport provides incredible opportunities to develop confidence, resilience, relationships, and a sense of purpose. It also brings uncertainty, mistakes, pressure, and disappointment.
We can't remove all of those challenges, nor would we necessarily want to.
But we can help athletes develop the skills to navigate them and continue enjoying the experience along the way.
Interested in learning more about sport and performance psychology?
At Achieve Performance Psychology, we work with youth, collegiate, Olympic, and professional athletes, as well as parents, coaches, and teams. We offer in-person appointments in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and virtual services where permitted.
Learn more about our services or contact Achieve Performance Psychology to get started.
