FAQ.

MPC (Mental Performance Consultant)

MPC’s are professionals who work with athletes, coaches, non-sport performers (dancers, musicians), business professionals, and tactical occupations (military, firefighters, police) to enhance their performance, consistency, and overall effectiveness.

With a training background that includes sport science, counselling psychology, and performance enhancement, it is our goal to assist every client in achieving positive personal development and transferable life skills. This is accomplished by facilitating the development of psychological skills as well as positive attitudes, processes, and new perspectives which will enable clients to excel in stressful and competitive situations.

*Our MPCs are not clinical psychologists and are not registered or affiliated with the Canadian Psychological Association

What is Mental (Skills) Training?

Mental Skills Training is the application of sport psychology theories, principles, and strategies to enhance performance and self-awareness.

Some specific examples of mental skills include:

  • the ability to manage life stress and performance anxiety,
  • being able to control distractions and enhance your focus in high pressure situations,
  • grow confidence and self-esteem,
  • deal with adversity while building resilience… plus much more!

What can I learn?

We could list pages and pages of information here! We suggest checking out our services sub-pages for some specific examples, however here is a loosely put together list of many topics under which you can develop skills while working with your MPC:

  • self-awareness, confidence, motivation, stress management, focusing and concentration, distraction control, consistency, resiliency, activation and relaxation techniques, association and dissociation strategies, competition planning, imagery or visualization, goal-setting, self-regulation, positive self-talk, dealing with adversity, positive living skills

Applied Sport Psychology

To borrow from the American Psychological Association’s Div. 47:

“Applied sport psychology is the study and application of psychological principles of human performance in helping athletes consistently perform in the upper range of their capabilities and more thoroughly enjoy the sport performance process. Applied sport psychologists are uniquely trained and specialized to engage in a broad range of activities including the identification, development and execution of the mental and emotional knowledge, skills and abilities required for excellence in athletic domains; the understanding, diagnosing and preventing of the psychological, cognitive, emotional, behavioral and psychophysiological inhibitors of consistent, excellent performance; and the improvement of athletic contexts to facilitate more efficient development, consistent execution and positive experiences in athletes.”

*Our Mental Performance Consultants should not be regarded as clinical or sport psychologists – we are mental skills coaches that have studied sport and performance psychology extensively at the graduate level*

Isn’t sport psychology only for elite athletes?

An unfortunate and very common misconception about the field! Anyone willing to put in the time and effort to learn, develop, and maintain mental skills will benefit from mental training. The biggest indicators of success are an open mind, a positive attitude, a willingness to learn, and a drive to be your best in whatever domain you choose to focus on.

Performers of any level will become more confident, more efficient, and more productive in everything from the degree to which you learn or progress (e.g. physically or technically), to your overall performance measures, to your everyday output and outcomes.

How long does it take before I see improvement?

You’ll notice a trend with some of our answers… often the quick answer is “it depends!”. What does it depend on? Well that one’s easy… YOU!

Mental training does require dedication, practice, and a positive mindset. Imagine any of the skills you currently are proficient in… perhaps you thought of a double lutz, a chord progression, a report or project, or a manner of conducting yourself in life. We encourage you to view mental skills in a similar manner.

That said, the obvious benefit of mental skills is that they can be practiced at any time, in any place. Getting ready at the rink? Check. Can’t sleep in bed? Check. Waiting for the bus or subway? Check.

Does working with a MPC mean that I have a mental disorder like depression, or an eating disorder?

While certainly many athletes and performers suffer from mental illness (as much as the general population), this is NOT why you see a mental performance consultant.  Our focus is to help you optimize your performance in a way that simultaneously helps foster optimal wellness and self-growth. This said, certainly many of the mental skills you will learn can have significant carry-over effects to other important parts of your life!

Although we have studied and work in the field of sport psychology, we are not certified “Clinical Psychologists”. Certainly, many clinical psychologists exist who do specialize with athletes, however their designation refers to their experience in mental illness diagnosis and treatment. It is very common for performers of all levels to work with both a clinical psychologist and a mental performance consultant.

Does working with a MPC mean that I am weak?

Most definitely NOT!

In fact, taking the initiative to work on your mental performance and pursuing mastery in your sport, art, or life signifies you already possess the ability, drive, and mindset to become the best you can be.

None of the world’s best, be they Olympic athletes, renowned performing artists, or Fortune 500 CEO’s, get to the level of success they have had without trying to gain an edge over their competition. This is what mental training can do for you!