Sport Psychology
At Intermountain Health, we offer psychological interventions to enhance the performance of athletes. We have locations in Salt Lake City and St. George, UT
Helping athletes maximize performance and enjoyment of their sport
The primary focus of sport psychology is to utilize psychological interventions to enhance the performance of athletes. The emphasis is on the balanced development of the total person so athletes can maximize their performance potential and enjoy their competitive experiences.
The nature of the sports world creates some specialized needs for athletes. Rigorous practice and workout schedules, injury, fatigue, high expectations from others, and an intense personal desire to succeed. These challenges, along with the normal stressors experienced in everyday life, can feel overwhelming at times. Sport psychology helps athletes and performers of all ages to cope more effectively with the life challenges they face and thrive in the sports arena.
Team services
We offer services including team talks, educational workshops, and coaching consultation. Let us help you take the first steps.
Our services
Learn more about the services we offer.
- Confidence building
- Effective communication with coaches/teammates
- Focus strategies
- Goal-setting
- Imagery
- Performance routines
- Positive mental programming
- Relaxation training
- Working through slumps
- Addiction
- Anxiety
- Concussion Care
- Coping with injury
- Depression
- Disordered eating
- Family issues
- Over-training/burnout
- Pain management
- Relationship problems
- Sleep problems
- Stress management
Visit us at Salt Lake Clinic
Call to schedule an appointment. *Please specify if you are seeking help with Mental Performance, Mental Health, or both.
Self-help resources
Access handouts and other resources that support your mental health and performance.
- Activation - How to optimize your energy level to enhance your performance.
- Focus- Keeping your eyes on the target.
- Goal-setting - Are we failing? Or, are our goals failing us?
- Imagery - Tapping into the power of imagination.
- Mindfulness - The best present you can give yourself.
- Peak performance - Getting into the zone.
- Routines - Stability for the body and the mind.
- Self-talk - The power of voice within.
Relaxation
- Autogenic Training 12:59
- Complete Breathing 5:15
- Jinshinjyutsu Meditation 4:49
- Natural Breathing 5:09
- Passive Muscle Relaxation 13:30
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation 20:10
- Slow Breathing 5:14
Imagery
- Future Success 15:00
- Past Success 12:00
- A Peaceful Place 13:09
- A Resilient Response 15:59
Focus
- Mindful Breathing 4:55
Additional resources
Resources for athletes, coaches, caregivers and professionals.
- Association for Applied Sport Psychology: Athletes
- Can imagining success actually help you achieve it? | Olympic State of Mind
- Maximise your Mindfulness to improve your performance in sports | Olympic State of Mind
- Motivate yourself! | Olympic State of Mind
- The Motivation to succeed | Olympic State of Mind
- Use Mindfulness to remain calm | Olympic State of Mind
- Visualise success! | Olympic State of Mind
- Visualising your success and goals in sports | Olympic State of Mind
- NCAA Athlete Mental Wellness
- Association for Applied Sport Psychology
- American Psychological Association Division 47 (Society for Sport Exercise, and Performance Psychology)
- Sport Psychology Career Overview
- Clinical Counseling Sport Psychology Association
- Hilinski's Hope foundation
- NCAA Mental Health Best Practices
- NCAA National Study of Substance Use Habits of College Student-Athletes
You might be interested in
Move more for heart health: why 150 minutes of physical activity per week matters
Learn why 150 minutes of weekly movement lowers heart disease risk, improves blood pressure and energy, and supports long‑term cardiovascular health
Back on track: Cedar City caregiver more active thanks to sports medicine
Discover how sports medicine transformed Whitney Nielsen's life, helping her overcome chronic pain and regain mobility
The importance of sports physicals for youth athletes
Safeguard your child’s game with sports physicals before the season.
How Sports Psychology Can Help Athlete's Beat Mental Health Challenges
Are you a student athlete who’s committed to your sport, yet burning out due to mental health challenges and anxiety? Dealing with the mental side of things can be extremely beneficial and help you reach greater heights.
How a ski conditioning class can keep you on the hill and out of the OR this winter
Up your game this ski and snowboard season with the help of our trained exercise experts who will get you fit and ready to charge the slopes and avoid injury from first chair to your last run of the day.
The Benefits of Recovery – It Does Your Body (AND YOUR GAME) Good
As the fall sports season comes to a close, some of you may start to think of upcoming tournaments, travel plans, and holidays. For athletes and parents, now is the time to think…recovery.
7 Unconventional Ways to Squeeze in More Exercise
Workouts can be tough. But exercise doesn’t have to be. For a healthier lifestyle, being active is the key, and it doesn’t much matter what that physical activity is. So if running a half marathon seems overwhelming to you, try one of these unconventional ways to squeeze more exercise into your week.
6 Reasons You Should Swim for Your Next Workout
Swimming is one of the best workouts you can do to get healthy. Whether you’re looking for a workout that’ll be easy on your joints, strengthen your heart, or help you lose weight, swimming is the answer.
4 Things You Didnt Know About Your Joint Health
While we know in general that losing excess weight can help your overall health, have you ever thought about what that weight does to your joints?
3 tips to getting the most out of your workouts
3 tips to getting the most out of your workouts