Sport Psychology
Being an athlete isn’t just physical. It's a mental game, too. At Atrium Health Sport Psychology, we help athletes and high performers at every level strengthen mental performance, manage sport-related stress, improve focus and perform at their best.
Whether you're striving to reach the next level, returning from an injury, or working through a difficult stretch in your sport, we're here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Get started today. Call 704-512-7578 to schedule your visit.
If you need immediate mental health support, call our 24/7 mental health line at 704-444-2400 or 800-418-2065. You can also call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
For medical emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
Why choose Atrium Health for sport psychology?
- Care for all levels – We work with athletes at every level, including youth, high school, collegiate, Olympic, professional and masters competitors. We also work with performers, business professionals and others who want to excel in high-pressure environments. No matter where you are in your journey, we're here to help you perform your best.
- Confidential, judgment-free care – Many athletes face challenges such as performance anxiety, confidence issues, perfectionism, burnout and difficulty rebounding from setbacks. You can count on us for compassionate, personalized support in a safe, welcoming environment.
- Collaboration with sports medicine – Peak performance requires both physical and mental wellness. We work closely with sports medicine specialists to support your health and performance from head to toe.
- Connected to a leading healthcare system – When you need additional care, you're connected to Atrium Health's extensive network of specialists recognized by U.S. News & World Report. This includes North Carolina's No. 1 physical therapy program, as well as nationally recognized orthopedic and heart care.
- Flexible appointment options – With both in-person and virtual visits available, it's easier to fit mental performance and psychological care into your training schedule and daily life.
For non-sport-related mental health concerns, we can also provide seamless referrals to our partners in behavioral health.
Our partners
In addition to supporting individual athletes through our outpatient practice, our Sport Psychology team partners with organizations across the region, including:
- Charlotte FC
- Crown Legacy FC
- Charlotte FC Academy
- 23XI Racing
- Hendrick Motorsports
- Queens University of Charlotte
Who benefits from sport psychology?
Athletes seek sport psychology support for many reasons, including:
- Performance anxiety, competition stress and fear of failure
- Confidence issues, self-doubt and perfectionism
- Overthinking, racing thoughts and difficulty staying present
- Trouble performing in competition the way you do in practice
- Burnout, mental fatigue and loss of motivation
- Injury recovery and return-to-play challenges
- Focus, concentration and ADHD-related performance concerns
- Mental toughness and resilience after mistakes or setbacks
- Goal setting, imagery and performance routines
- Body image concerns and relationships with food in a sport setting
- Women's health and sport-related performance challenges
- Challenges navigating athletic identity, transitions and life as an athlete
- Relationship dynamics with teammates, coaches or family members
If any of these sound familiar, our team can help you:
- Perform more consistently under pressure
- Build confidence and trust in your abilities
- Manage competition-related stress more effectively
- Improve focus, concentration and present-moment awareness
- Recover mentally from injuries and setbacks
- Develop effective performance routines and mental skills
- Strengthen relationships with teammates, coaches and family members
- Stay motivated, engaged and connected to your goals
- Support your well-being while helping you perform at your best
Services
- Individual sport psychology sessions – One-on-one support, available in person or virtually, to help athletes navigate performance challenges and strengthen mental skills.
- Mental performance training – Build focus, confidence, resilience and performance routines that help you compete at your best.
- Team workshops – Support team culture, communication, leadership and mental performance through customized group sessions.
- Family support – Help parents and family members better understand the demands of sport and learn how to support their athlete's development and well-being.
- Coach and organization consultation – Guidance for coaches, teams and organizations on creating environments that promote athlete well-being, growth and performance.
Meet the team
Our providers are licensed mental health professionals and Certified Mental Performance Consultants (CMPC®) through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. They bring expertise in both psychological well-being and athletic performance.
Frequently asked questions
Sport psychology helps athletes strengthen mental performance and address sport-related psychological challenges, like focus, confidence and managing pressure.
No diagnosis is required. Many athletes seek support to improve performance, manage stress or build mental skills.
Sport psychology can benefit an athlete at any level who is experiencing a mental roadblock in their sport. This includes high school, college, professional and adult/masters athletes – as well as other high performers, like performing artists and business executives.
No. Sport psychology can benefit anyone performing in high-pressure situations, not just athletes. This includes musicians, performing artists and business professionals who want to manage stress, build confidence, improve focus or perform at their best during high-stakes moments, such as presentations, auditions or competitions.
Yes. Many athletes experience stress, anxiety and more. Getting support early can help you feel and perform better.
Sport psychology combines mental health care with performance-focused strategies tailored to the demands of sport and high-performance environments.
Insurance may cover sport psychology services when treatment is related to a mental health diagnosis, such as anxiety, depression or injury-related emotional concerns. Services focused only on improving performance are generally not covered.
Yes. Your care is private and handled with respect and professionalism.
Yes. When helpful – and with the client’s permission – we can work with coaches and families to better support athlete well-being.
Yes. We offer both in-person and virtual appointments.
No, you do not need a referral. You can call 704-512-7578 to schedule an appointment.
Call 704-512-7578 to schedule an appointment.