Introduction to Sport Psychology

This 4-hour training, led by Dr. Tess M. Kilwein, board-certified clinical & sport psychologist and Certified Mental Performance Consultant® (CMPC), introduces the core principles of sport and performance psychology for professionals seeking to support athletes and performers across competitive levels. Designed for clinicians and interdisciplinary providers, this session explores the unique cultural dynamics, psychological demands, and mental health considerations embedded within sport and performance settings.

Participants will learn how to work effectively and ethically with this population, balancing performance optimization with whole-person wellbeing. The training includes case examples, applied strategies, and evidence-based approaches to enhance both mental health and mental performance.

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

1. Define sport and performance psychology, including its scope, goals, and integration with clinical and counseling practices.
2. Identify key characteristics of athlete and performer culture, including identity, stigma, and systemic pressures unique to these populations.
3. Recognize common mental health concerns (e.g., anxiety, depression, disordered eating, injury-related distress) and performance barriers.
4. Distinguish between clinical support and performance consulting, including when and how to refer appropriately.
5. Discuss ethical considerations, such as confidentiality, dual relationships, and working within one’s scope in team-based environments.
6. Implement foundational mental skills strategies, including breathing, imagery, self-talk, and goal setting.
7. Identify red flags for psychological crisis and establish clear pathways for safety planning and support.
8. Integrate trauma-informed and identity-affirming approaches that consider race, gender, sexual orientation, and ability in sport/performance contexts.
9. Access recommended resources and tools for continued growth in the sport and performance psychology field.

Host or Publisher Tess M. Kilwein, LLC