Book Private Mental-performance Lessons with Coach Audrey

I played basketball growing up my whole life and all the way through high school. I played for an AAU team as well as my high school varsity team. When I transitioned to college, I found that my passion was with sports mental health and performance, so I went on to get a masters of social work in order to become a licensed clinical social worker. Basketball has remained in my life always, as I have coached for 10 years now!

As your mental performance coach, I can help improve a player's performance in the following ways:

1. Enhancing Mental Toughness and Resilience:

- Develop strategies to help players manage stress, anxiety, and pressure during high-stakes games and competitions.

- Teach emotion regulation techniques to maintain focus and composure, even in the face of adversity.

- Foster a growth mindset, where players view challenges as opportunities for improvement rather than threats.

- Build mental resilience by helping players bounce back from setbacks and learn from their mistakes.

2. Improving Focus and Concentration:

- Implement mindfulness and meditation practices to help players stay present and attentive during training and games.

- Teach cognitive-behavioral strategies to minimize distractions and maintain laser-sharp focus.

- Develop pre-performance routines and mental imagery exercises to help players get into the optimal mental state.

- Provide individualized attention and feedback to address any attention or focus-related issues.

3. Enhancing Motivation and Goal-Setting:

- Work with players to identify their intrinsic motivations and align their goals with their core values.

- Develop comprehensive, achievable, and measurable performance goals that provide a clear roadmap for improvement.

- Implement positive reinforcement and celebrate small victories to maintain player motivation and engagement.

- Help players navigate setbacks and adjust their goals as needed, fostering a sense of autonomy and ownership.

4. Addressing Mental Health and Well-Being:

- Provide a safe and non-judgmental space for players to discuss any personal or emotional challenges they may be facing.

- Identify and address any underlying mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression, or trauma, that may be impacting performance.

- Teach healthy coping strategies and self-care practices to help players manage stress and maintain overall well-being.

- Collaborate with other members of the player's support team (e.g., coaches, athletic trainers, parents) to ensure a holistic approach to their development.

5. Facilitating Team Dynamics and Leadership:

- Enhance team cohesion and communication by facilitating group discussions and team-building exercises.

- Help players develop effective leadership skills, such as decision-making, conflict resolution, and motivating teammates.

- Provide guidance on navigating interpersonal relationships and managing team dynamics, which can significantly impact individual and team performance.

- Promote a positive, supportive, and inclusive team culture that fosters a sense of belonging and collective success.

Introduction:

I would start by establishing rapport with the player and discussing their goals and expectations for our work together. This is an important step to ensure we are aligned on the player's desired outcomes and that I can tailor my approach to their specific needs.

Mental Skills Assessment:

Next, I would administer a comprehensive mental skills assessment to evaluate the player's current strengths and areas for improvement. This could involve a questionnaire or other evaluation tools that provide insights into the player's mindset, focus, emotional regulation, and other key mental performance factors.

Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques:

Given the high-pressure nature of athletic competition, I would then teach the player various mindfulness and relaxation techniques to help them manage stress and anxiety. This might include guided meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, or other evidence-based practices that can help the player achieve a state of calm and focus.

Goal-Setting and Visualization:

Collaborating with the player, I would guide them through the process of setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. We would then practice visualization exercises, where the player imagines themselves successfully executing their goals and performing at their best.

Performance Routines:

To enhance the player's consistency and confidence, I would work with them to develop personalized pre-performance routines. These routines could include physical warm-ups, mental preparation exercises, and other strategies to help the player get into the optimal mindset for competition.

Self-Talk and Confidence Building:

Recognizing the powerful impact of self-talk on performance, I would help the player identify and replace any negative thought patterns with more positive, empowering self-talk. We would also explore ways to build the player's overall confidence and self-belief.

Conclusion and Action Plan:

At the end of the session, I would summarize the key takeaways and work with the player to create a clear action plan for implementing the strategies and techniques we discussed. I would also assign relevant homework or follow-up activities to reinforce the player's learning and progress.

Throughout the session, I would remain flexible and adaptable, tailoring my approach to the player's unique needs, preferences, and sport-specific requirements. My goal would be to empower the player with the mental skills and resilience necessary to perform at their best and achieve their athletic goals.

The best coach I've ever had was my middle school basketball coach. He always made it evident that he cared about us not just as players, but as people. He pushed us to be our best on the court and in the classroom, and he set high expectations that he truly believed we could reach. My skills grew immensely and I always knew that he supported me. So much so, that we're still in contact to this day!

As a licensed clinical social worker with 5 years of experience as a high school social worker and 10 years of basketball coaching experience, I bring a unique and comprehensive approach to mental performance coaching. My background as both a social worker and a basketball coach, working with both boys and girls in the high school and AAU settings, provides me with a deep understanding of the challenges and pressures that athletes face.

My clinical training and expertise in mental health allows me to address not only the performance-related needs of athletes but also their overall well-being. Unlike traditional sports psychologists who may focus solely on enhancing athletic skills and mindset, my holistic approach addresses the deeper, underlying factors that can impact an athlete's mental and emotional state, such as stress management, anxiety, depression, trauma, and interpersonal relationships.

My commitment to my athletes' success, coupled with my clinical expertise and holistic approach, positions me as an ideal choice for athletes seeking a comprehensive and evidence-based mental performance coach. With my unique blend of social work and coaching experience, I can help athletes unlock their full potential, both on and off the court.