Abstract: 

Professional isolation, particularly in smaller communities and within specialized practice domains, presents unique challenges for ethical practitioners (Wood et al., 2005). Seeking mentorship is not only essential for fulfilling CMPC certification requirements but also critical for fostering personal and professional growth. This 20-hour group mentorship experience, led by Dr. Tim Herzog, provides licensed (or license-eligible) mental health providers with the opportunity to refine consulting skills, deepen their understanding of athlete mental performance, and build meaningful professional connections.

Drawing from decades of applied experience and relevant literature in sport and performance psychology, including ethical decision-making (Herzog & Zito, 2023), case conceptualization (Herzog et al., 2023), and professional identity development (Taylor & Herzog, 2014), this program will guide participants in navigating real-world complexities associated with working in diverse performance settings. A key component will be differentiating between mental performance consulting and psychotherapy (Herzog & Hays, 2012) while exploring evidence-informed interventions that integrate performance psychology and clinical techniques (Herzog, Eiring, & Bartley, 2022). Participants will also examine effective self-regulation training strategies (Herzog et al., 2018; Hathaway & Eiring, 2010; Winter et al., 2024) and refine individualized consulting approaches. Through facilitated dialogue and structured mentorship, attendees will develop actionable strategies for professional advancement while navigating ethical, theoretical, and practical challenges in their consulting practice.

Level:  Intermediate and Advanced

Learning Objectives:

1. Apply ethical principles and frameworks to mental performance consulting through case studies in sport and performance psychology (Herzog & Zito, 2023).
2. Differentiate between psychotherapy and mental skills coaching when working with athletes to ensure role clarity and appropriate service delivery (Herzog & Hays, 2012).
3. Develop and refine a personalized consulting approach by crafting an “elevator pitch” (Taylor & Herzog, 2014), integrating case conceptualization strategies (Herzog et al., 2023), and systematically applying self-regulation techniques (Herzog et al., 2018; Hathaway & Eiring, 2010; Winter et al., 2024).
4. Identify and articulate a unique value proposition in sport and performance psychology, enhancing professional identity and business development (Taylor & Herzog, 2014).
5. Implement best practices for addressing the mental health–mental performance continuum in elite sport settings, incorporating evidence-informed interventions (Herzog, Eiring, & Bartley, 2022; Winter et al., 2024).
6. Integrate mental performance concepts and interventions into elite sport, military, and other high-pressure environments to enhance resilience, adaptability, and peak performance (Herzog & Deuster, 2014).
7. Enhance multidisciplinary collaboration in performance settings, developing strategies for effectively communicating and collaborating with coaches, trainers, and support staff to align mental performance consulting with overall performance goals (Herzog, et al., 2023; Herzog, Eiring, & Bartley, 2022).
8. Optimize self-regulation techniques for performance gains, applying advanced self-regulation strategies such as psychophysiological training, attentional control, and pre-performance routines to enhance consistency in high-stakes situations (Herzog et al., 2018; Winter, et al., 2024).
9. Analyze ethical standards in remote and online consulting, exploring best practices for delivering virtual mental performance consulting, including considerations for confidentiality, effectiveness, and engagement in online environments (Wood et al., 2005).
10. Develop effective mental strategies for clutch performance, implementing research-based techniques such as cognitive reframing, arousal control, and focus shifting to help performers execute optimally under pressure (Herzog, et al., 2018; Winter et al., 2024).
11. Utilize evidence-based mental skills training programs, designing structured mental training programs tailored to different performance domains, incorporating tools such as imagery, pre-competition routines, and mental rehearsal techniques (Herzog & Deuster, 2014; Winter, et al., 2024).
12. Assess and train psychological readiness for competition, developing and applying strategies to assess an athlete’s mental preparedness and implement interventions that ensure they are psychologically primed for competition day (Herzog & Deuster, 2014; Herzog et al., 2018).
13. Critique consulting effectiveness through performance debriefs, using debrief methods to evaluate performance outcomes, identify psychological strengths and weaknesses, and adjust mental skills strategies accordingly (Byrd, et al, 2022).
14. Prevent mental fatigue and optimize recovery in performance environments, implementing mental recovery strategies that enhance sustained focus, cognitive endurance, and resilience across long training and competition cycles (Herzog & Deuster, 2014; Winter et al., 2024).
15. Manage pressure and expectations in elite performance contexts, equipping performers with mindset strategies to navigate high external expectations, media scrutiny, and self-imposed pressure in competitive environments (Herzog, Eiring, & Bartley, 2022; Winter, et al., 2024).
16. Design a personalized professional development plan integrating mental performance into an overall portfolio, mapping out a career development strategy that incorporates mentorship, continuing education, and specialization within the field of sport and performance psychology (Taylor & Herzog, 2014).

References:

Byrd, M., Maurice, S., Charalambous, C., Garcia, S., & Searle, M. (2022). Bridging the gap and finding purpose: An approach for debriefing in applied sport, exercise, and performance psychology. Journal of Sport Psychology in action, 13(2), 129-138.

Hathaway, C. M., & Eiring, K. M. (2010). Mindfulness and sport psychology for athletes: Consider awareness your most important mental tool. Langmarc Publishing.

Herzog, T. P. & Deuster, P. A. (2014). Performance psychology as a key component of human performance optimization. Journal of Special Operations Medicine 14(4), 99-105.

Herzog, T., Schumacher, J., DesClouds, P., & Durand-Bush, N. (2023). Solution Set 2: The Stoic collegiate swimmer: Consultant solutions.  In S. Castillo, et al. (Eds.), Building Consulting Skills for Sport and Performance Psychology: An International Case Study Collection. Taylor & Francis/Routledge.

Herzog, T. & Zito, M. (2023). Chapter 7: Ethics in sport and performance psychology. In D. Tod, V. Krane, & K. Hodge (Eds.), Routledge Handbook of Applied Sport Psychology-Second Edition. Taylor & Francis/Routledge.

Herzog, T., Eiring, K., & Bartley, J. (2022). Chapter 2: General approaches to management of mental health symptoms and disorders in elite athletes: Psychotherapy. In C. Reardon (Ed.), Mental Health Care for Elite Athletes. Springer.

Herzog, T., Zavilla, S., Dupee, M., & Stephenson, M. (2018, October). Chapter 15: The Psychophysiology of self-regulation. In G. Cremades, & A. Mugford (Eds.) Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology: Theories and Applications. New York, NY: Routledge/Psychology Press.

Taylor, J. & Herzog, T. (2014). Chapter 2: What’s your “thing”?: Create your unique value proposition. In J. Taylor (Ed.) Practice Development in Sport and Performance Psychology (21-36). Chicago, IL: Human Kinetics.

Winter, M. E., Freeman, P., Griffin, M., Soundy, A., & Maynard, I. (2024). Exploring the processes of evidence-informed decision-making in applied sport psychology. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 36(3), 499-518. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2023.2286950

Wood, J. A., Miller, T. W., & Hargrove, D. S. (2005). Clinical supervision in rural settings: A telehealth model. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 36(2), 173.

20 CE Credits available for participants who attend at least 90% of each meeting.

“This program is co-sponsored with the Clinical/Counseling Sport Psychology Association (CCSPA). Clinical/Counseling Sport Psychology Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CCSPA maintains responsibility for this program and its content.”