What is Sport & Performance Psychology?

Sport and Performance Psychology focuses on helping individuals reach their full potential by enhancing focus, confidence, motivation, and resilience under pressure. While sport psychology is a specialized area that supports athletes in optimizing performance, performance psychology extends these same principles to anyone working in high-demand environments—such as musicians, dancers, surgeons, executives, first responders, and students.

Sessions are offered virtually and led by registered psychologist Carmen Barrack, who has extensive experience helping individuals strengthen mental performance, manage pressure, and perform with clarity and confidence. Using evidence-based techniques drawn from cognitive-behavioural and mindfulness approaches, Carmen helps clients build consistency, overcome setbacks, and find greater enjoyment in their performance.

Research shows that mental performance training can enhance confidence and focus by up to 80% and reduce performance-related anxiety by nearly 50%. These skills not only improve outcomes in competition or performance settings but also foster long-term emotional resilience and well-being.

“You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.”

– Zig Ziglar

Signs Sport & Performance Psychology May Be Right for You

You may benefit from sport or performance psychology if you are:

Struggling with performance anxiety, perfectionism, or fear of failure
Recovering from injury and wanting to regain confidence
Looking to sharpen focus, visualization, and resilience
Seeking greater motivation and consistency
Trying to balance high performance with family, school, or work responsibilities
Wanting to improve team communication, trust, and cohesion

Sport Psychology

Sport psychology focuses specifically on the unique pressures athletes face in competitive environments. Its goal is to enhance mental toughness, focus, motivation, and coping strategies for peak performance.

Sport psychology is context-driven, adapting to different sports – from hockey and running to tennis and curling. Mental skills training also supports injury recovery, confidence building, and long-term engagement in sport.

Typical clients include:

Competitive athletes at all levels
Sports teams and coaching staff

Common techniques include:

Goal setting and performance planning
Imagery and visualization
Relaxation and arousal regulation strategies
Concentration and attentional control
Team cohesion and communication training

Performance Psychology

Performance psychology supports individuals across high-performance settings outside of athletics. It helps people consistently perform at their best while maintaining balance in other areas of life.

Typical clients include:

Musicians, dancers, and other performers
Executives and business leaders
Surgeons and medical professionals
Military personnel and first responders
Students preparing for exams or presentations

Key focus areas:

Mental rehearsal and visualization techniques
Developing focus, concentration, and emotional regulation
Building resilience and coping strategies for high-pressure moments
Managing stress, anxiety, and perfectionism
Enhancing confidence and motivation

How Can Sport & Performance Psychology Help?

Sport and Performance Psychology offers practical tools to enhance both performance and overall well-being. Through counselling grounded in evidence-based approaches, clients learn to strengthen mental skills, manage pressure, and perform with confidence and balance.

Many people notice meaningful improvements, including:

Reduced stress and improved mood
Increased confidence, focus, and self-awareness
Greater ability to manage pressure, recover from setbacks, and stay composed
Healthier relationships with teammates, colleagues, or family members
Support for sustainable performance and lifestyle balance
Improved quality of life, both within and beyond performance settings

Whether you’re an athlete, professional, performer, or student, Sport and Performance Psychology can help you build the mindset and resilience needed to thrive—both in high-pressure moments and in everyday life.

What Can You Expect From Sport & Performance Psychology?

Sessions are usually conducted virtually, with in-person options available during competitions or high-pressure events.

First Session: Introduction & Planning

You’ll explore your goals, past strategies, and reasons for seeking support. Your psychologist will help you create a tailored plan for your performance and personal growth.

Second Session: Building Momentum

Sessions may be client-led (focused on support and listening) or therapist-led (focused on strategies and skills training).

Third and Ongoing Sessions: Focused Work

Work continues on performance and personal goals, with flexibility to adapt as new challenges arise.

Ongoing Support

Between sessions, quick check-ins may be used to share reminders, encouragement, or strategies, helping reinforce skills in real time.

For Competitive Athletes, Teams, and Performers

Customized programs can be developed to align with your training season or long-term performance plan.

How does Confidentiality Work?

The general rule of practice is that your psychologist is not permitted to disclose anything that you tell them to anyone without your written permission for them to do so. There are some limits to confidentiality that your psychologist will discuss with you in detail at the start of your first session.

What is the Length of a Session?

Sessions are typically 50 minutes in length with the additional ten minutes used for post session notes and other professional services (such as consultation or phone calls if needed). If you feel that you require more or less time per session, this can be discussed with your psychologist.

What is the Cost of a Session?

The Psychologists’ Association of Alberta recommended fee for individual counselling is $235per therapy hour. The therapy “hour” is usually 50 minutes allowing 10 minutes for after-session notes and other services. Payment is due at the end of each session in the form of credit card or cash. Clients are issued a receipt that they can submit to their private insurance for reimbursement.