What Does a Mental Coach Do?
A mental coach helps athletes strengthen their mindset to enhance performance. They improve practice efficiency, bridge the gap between practice and competition, and foster team cohesion. They also develop communication skills, teach mental strategies like confidence, focus, composure, and routines, and support athletes in rebuilding confidence after injury. Additionally, they may work with parents of young athletes for holistic support and assist coaches in integrating mental training into their programs.
What a Mental Coach Does Not Do
A mental coach does not diagnose or treat mental health conditions, substance abuse, eating disorders, suicidal thoughts, or family and marital issues. They also do not provide crisis intervention.
Do You Need Mental Coaching?
You might benefit from mental coaching if you:
- Perform better in practice than in competition
- Struggle with excessive worry about disappointing others
- Feel overly self-conscious about others’ opinions
- Set unrealistically high performance expectations
- Experience persistent pre-game anxiety
- Tie your self-worth to athletic performance
- Have trouble maintaining focus
A mental coach helps athletes develop the mindset needed to reach their full potential.
