Sport, exercise, and performance psychology analyses psychological factors shaping and shaped by participation in sports, exercise, physical activity, and elite performance. This knowledge is applied to various real-life contexts.
As a scientific discipline, sport and exercise psychology delves into a wide range of human behaviours. These include achieving excellence in sports, understanding motivational processes, exploring motor learning, addressing psychological aspects of sports injuries and rehabilitation, studying leadership and group dynamics, identifying talent, and creating, implementing, and evaluating strategies for enhancing performance. If you’re looking for a psychologist with first-hand experience who understands performance anxiety within high-pressure settings, you’re in the right place.
Sport psychology and when to seek support
Our experienced Melbourne psychology practice will match you with a psychologist with specific experience and training in the area of sports psychology and performance anxiety.
- Strengthening the immune system by reducing stress and burnout
- Increase tolerance to pain and improve pain management in injured athletes
- Improve concentration, memory, and focus
- Improve sleep, sleep hygiene, and recovery times
- Improve endurance
- Manage performance anxiety in high-pressure settings
- Become more aware of yourself and your body
- Manage work and life transitions
- Achieve valued life goal
What is the impact of stress or anxiety on sport performance?
Stress is one of the worst enemies for individuals who practice sports at a competitive or amateur level. Not only the stress that accumulates during physical activity, for example in the pre-race or in the most intense periods of training, but also everything that invests us during the day.
How can a psychologist help with performance anxiety?
Engaging with a psychologist who has a special interest in sports psychology will include assessment of psychological factors that influence, and are influenced by, participation in sport, exercise, physical activity, and elite performance, and the application of this knowledge to everyday settings.
Research demonstrates that stress negatively affects athletic performance. Therefore, collaborating with a psychologist who understands sports psychology allows you to establish goals and leverage strengths, aiming to improve both performance and overall life achievements.
What are evidence-based strategies or therapies that are applied to help?
Our psychologists employ evidence-based methods rooted in neuroscience and Cognitive-Behavioural Theories (CBT), including acceptance and mindfulness-based practices, to manage stress and enhance performance. Our psychologists also focus on mindfulness, which is a form of meditation proven to reduce cortisol, the stress hormone. Research has found that regular mindfulness practice enables the body to relax and handle stress more effectively.
How is Positive Wellbeing Psychology different from other psychology practices?
At Positive Wellbeing Psychology, we provide confidential psychological support tailored for both competitive and amateur-level athletes, within the comfort of your home. Our registered psychologists are experienced in assisting individuals who are under scrutiny by the media and go above and beyond to ensure the utmost privacy. We prioritise your well-being with discreet and effective sessions, eliminating the traditional waiting room experience.
How can Positive Wellbeing Psychology help?
At Positive Wellbeing Psychology, you can speak to a psychologist at our Melbourne psychology practice with experience in sports psychology and performance anxiety.
Performance psychology utilises specific interventions to optimise individuals’ behaviour and enhance their performance in high-pressure situations. Through comprehensive psychological knowledge and use of evidence-based intervention skills, a psychologist may help clients to optimise their potential, work effectively in sports settings, and overcome cognitive, emotional, behavioural, or practical obstacles hindering peak performance.
Make an Appointment
At Positive Wellbeing Psychology, we offer flexible appointments with our psychologists during the day, evening, or weekends, both in-person at our Melbourne psychology practice or online via telehealth.
Our team of psychologists hold full registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and adhere to ethical guidelines as mandated by the Psychologists Registration Board and the Australian Psychological Society. Our clinical practice is grounded in evidence-based treatment approaches, ensuring comprehensive support for sport psychology and performance anxiety in adults, to improve mood, endurance and performance outcomes.