Sports psychology—also known as performance psychology—focuses on the mental aspects of athletic performance, such as confidence, focus, motivation, and coping under pressure. At Uprise Psychology, our sports psychologists work with athletes to strengthen mental toughness, reduce performance anxiety, and optimize peak states through techniques like visualization, self-talk, and mindfulness. Whether you’re struggling after a setback, preparing for a major competition, or dealing with injury recovery, sports therapy helps you tap into mental resilience. It’s not just “feeling better”—it’s about enhancing performance, managing stress, and building habits that support both short-term results and long-term athletic development.

Athletes often benefit from sports psychology during transition points or challenges—like recovering from injury, dealing with burnout, preparing for big events, or returning to sport after performance slumps. However, starting early—before problems arise—is even more effective. Elite athletes frequently utilize psychological skills training proactively to sharpen mental edge, enhance focus, develop coping strategies, and strengthen confidence. If you’re experiencing self-doubt, fluctuating motivation, difficulty managing pressure, or finding yourself “stuck” mentally, it’s a strong signal that working with a sports psychologist could help restore momentum and support peak performance.

A range of evidence-based techniques is used depending on your goals. Core strategies include mental skills training like goal setting, attentional control, and pre-performance routines; visualization or imagery, used to mentally rehearse moves and situations; mindfulness and relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety and stay anchored in competition; and self-talk restructuring, which helps shift from negative to performance-enhancing dialogue. Other tools include performance profiling, strength-based assessment, and journaling for self-reflection. Athletes learn when and how to use these tools—whether pre-game, between sets, or during high-pressure moments—to maintain clarity, confidence, and composure.

Yes, mental support during injury rehab is crucial. Athletes recovering from physical injury often struggle with motivation dips, fear of re-injury, lost identity, and inconsistent compliance with rehab protocols. Sports psychologists at Uprise Psychology help athletes navigate these emotional challenges using strategies like goal setting, imagery to rehearse skill return, and behavioral activation to stay engaged in rehab routines. They also support athletes in re-establishing confidence on return to play, managing pressure, and preventing setbacks. Strong mental resilience during rehab has been shown to improve adherence and overall outcomes, making therapy a critical component of full physical recovery.

The duration and frequency of therapy depend on your goals and needs. Many athletes benefit from short-term engagements (4–8 sessions) for focused issues like pre-competition anxiety or goal-setting. Others—especially those recovering from injury or preparing for a season—might engage for several months or adaptively throughout the season. Sessions typically last 50–60 minutes, with a mix of individual meetings, performance planning exercises, and occasional check-ins. Uprise Psychology also offers brief “tune-up” consultations for athletes preparing for a key event. We tailor our schedule with you—integrating with training cycles, competition schedule, and recovery phases—to support both mental readiness and long-term skill development.

While sports psychology shares many therapeutic tools (e.g., CBT, mindfulness), it is uniquely tailored to the demands of high-performance environments. It prioritizes performance outcomes, mental skill training, and context-specific resilience—rather than focusing primarily on emotional healing or mental health. The focus is on strengthening psychological strengths, like confidence under pressure, managing competition anxiety, and sustaining motivation. Uprise Psychology’s sports therapists have specialized training in performance clinic models, understand athlete culture, and collaborate with coaches, trainers, or physiotherapists to embed mental skills into your training regime—making it a seamless extension of your performance team.

Choosing a sports psychologist means finding someone who understands both mental health and athletic performance. Look for professionals with training in sports/performance psychology, credibility with athletes, and familiarity with your sport or level. At Uprise Psychology, our practitioners are registered psychotherapists or psychologists with sports experience working with clients across ages and competitive levels. They offer an introductory session to assess fit, understand your objectives, and design a tailored mental skills program. A good sports psychologist will listen, align to your values, and integrate mental conditioning directly into your preparation—empowering you to perform at your very best. Learn more about our team of therapist here.