SPORT & PERFORMANCE PSYCHOLOGY
LEARN. TRAIN. GROW.
Sport & Performance Psychology
Whether you are playing a musical instrument, hitting a golf ball, or serving at break point, performing with confidence and trusting what you have trained are fundamental to producing your best performance. Dr. Commander brings valuable tools, resources and information to those motivated to reach their potential.
Great athletes and performers understand the benefits of being mentally prepared to perform. Our approach is that of an educator and practitioner. We hope to educate athletes and performers how to maximize their potential.
Types of Services
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
We provide counseling services to athletes and performers who may be experiencing depression, anxiety, or other psychological problems due to sport, injury, loss, or other life stressors.
MENTAL SKILLS TRAINING
We provide mental skills training to help athletes and performers learn, improve, and maintain the mental skills necessary for successful performances.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
We provide leadership development training to help athletes/performers and teams learn and improve leadership skills, team cohesion, and character building which is necessary for successful teams and organizations.
Individual Services
Meet one-on-one with a sport psychologist. Individual sessions can be from 30-60 minutes and are generally the quickest way to learn new skills and see growth.
TEAM SERVICES
Our sport psychologists can come to your team to provide services. This format is a great way to reach the most people in the most time efficient manner. Services typically include interactive learning. Team sessions can be 15-60 minutes and cover whatever topics are needed.
WORKSHOPS
Our sport psychologists organize and facilitate team workshops. Workshops are generally 2-4 hours and can cover team building, group cohesion, leadership development, mental skills training, and mental health training. These are highly interactive sessions and can be facilitated whenever is needed. Workshops are great for kicking off the season.
Assessment
PRE-PERFORMANCE
EVALUATIONS
Our providers can come to your team to facilitate PPEs. These are questionnaires that are specifically developed for athletes that screen for anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, drug/alcohol use, disordered eating, ADHD, bipolar disorder, PTSD, gambling, and psychosis.
These take between 5-15 minutes to administer. The results can help identify those who may need mental health treatment services and can help determine readiness to play.
MENTAL PERFORMANCE
and LEADERSHIP
Our providers can come to your team to administer mental performance and/or leadership assessments. Administration time takes between 10-30 minutes and results are helpful in recruitment (e.g., draft selection), creating team cohesion, and assessing overall mental skills abilities.
The mental skills assessment evaluates strengths and weaknesses in:
-
coping with adversity
-
coachability
-
concentration
-
confidence
-
achievement motivation
-
goal setting and mental preparation
-
peaking under pressure
-
freedom from worry.
The leadership assessment evaluates several areas under self-awareness and control, emotional functioning, interpersonal style, and decision making.
ACADEMIC SCREENING
Our providers can come to your team to administer academic screenings to help determine who may be appropriate to receive additional academic support. This is specifically helpful for high school and collegiate student-athletes who may have difficulties managing grades or learning.
Administration can be done in a group format and takes about 45 minutes.
Once the assessments are scored, feedback is given to help those identified in the at-risk categories and appropriate accommodations are recommended (e.g., accommodations through Accessibility Disability Resource Center, IEP, 504 Plan, etc.).
THERAPEUTIC USE EXEMPTION (TUE)
As an athlete, you may need a specific medication to manage an illness or medical condition. If this medication contains a substance or involves an administration method listed on the Prohibited Substances and Methods List, you can apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). A TUE permits you to use the necessary treatment without gaining an unfair competitive advantage, ensuring you can compete while maintaining your health.
LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE "TUE" PROCESS
WHAT IS THE PROCESS LIKE?
The TUE application process involves submitting comprehensive medical documentation that proves the medication is essential for the athlete’s health and that no viable alternatives exist. This typically includes medical history, diagnostic reports, and a detailed prescription plan from a qualified healthcare provider. Many governing bodies, such as the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), have specific criteria and review boards that determine whether an exemption is granted.
HOW DOES PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING HELP?
For athletes seeking a TUE for conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, or other mental health disorders, psychological testing plays a crucial role in the approval process. Many stimulant medications commonly prescribed for ADHD, for example, are classified as prohibited substances. To secure a TUE, athletes must provide objective, standardized assessments that confirm a valid diagnosis. This is where professional psychological testing becomes essential.
At my practice, we specialize in comprehensive psychological evaluations tailored to meet TUE requirements. Our testing process includes clinical interviews, cognitive assessments, and objective measures of attention, impulse control, and executive functioning to provide clear diagnostic evidence. These evaluations help ensure that athletes receive the appropriate medical treatment without compromising their eligibility to compete.
By offering thorough, well-documented reports, we support athletes in navigating the TUE process efficiently, reducing the risk of delays or denials. If you are an athlete who requires psychological testing for a TUE application, our team is here to guide you through the process with expertise and professionalism. Contact us to schedule an evaluation and take the next step toward securing your exemption.
