Sport Psychology Program
508-484-8271
Comprehensive psychological care for athletes
Sport psychology focuses on the mental and emotional aspects of athletic performance, well-being, and recovery. At Mass General Brigham, our sport psychology clinicians help athletes of all ages and levels develop the psychological skills needed to perform at their best, navigate setbacks, and maintain overall mental wellness.
Our program offers supportive, personalized care that blends psychological strategies with insights from sports science, tailored to each athlete’s goals and challenges.
How sport psychology helps athletes
We provide mental performance and wellness support for athletes and active individuals competing at every level, including:
- Professional athletes
- Middle school, high school, and collegiate student-athletes
- Recreational athletes and active adults
- Athletes returning from injury or recovering from surgery
- Coaches, parents, trainers, and other supporters seeking mental health resources for their athletes
- Individuals experiencing motivation barriers like performance anxiety, and body image concerns
Our clinicians use evidence-based psychological techniques to help athletes:
- Improve focus and motivation
- Manage performance anxiety and competition pressure
- Cope emotionally with injury, recovery, or performance setbacks
- Set realistic goals and maintain positive self-talk
- Foster resilience and mental toughness
- Improve routines, visualization skills, and mindfulness
- Practice mental and physical self-care
Our team works with both individuals and teams to strengthen mental skills and promote athletic well-being and career longevity.
What to expect at your first visit
Your first appointment includes a comprehensive intake assessment to understand your physical and mental health history, performance strengths, challenges, and goals.
Based on this evaluation, we build you a personalized plan that may include short-term therapy (one-on-one or in a group setting), performance coaching, or ongoing psychological support. As part of our multidisciplinary approach, we may also refer you to related clinics, like psychiatry, endocrinology, or sports nutrition, for example, for supplemental care.
Sessions incorporate cognitive-behavioral tools, mindfulness strategies, and stress-management techniques tailored to your needs. You’ll learn how to work through challenging thoughts and complex emotions, navigate fears related to injury, and cope with career progression, periods of transition, and team dynamics.
Our approach to care
Concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries can affect more than just physical performance. Athletes may experience changes in mood, concentration, sleep, or emotional regulation during recovery.
Our sport psychology team works closely with concussion specialists and sports medicine providers to support both cognitive and emotional healing. We help athletes safely return to school, sport, and daily life.
Our sport psychology specialists partner with coaches, athletic trainers, physical therapists, orthopedic surgeons, dieticians, and other sports medicine clinicians to deliver integrated care.
Whether you’re returning from injury, managing chronic stress, or preparing for a major competition, our team collaborates to help your body and mind perform at their best.
Performance and mental health concerns we treat
- Concussion
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Major Depression
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Bulimia
- Chronic Pain
- Insomnia
- Turf Toe
- Binge Eating Disorder
- Foot and Ankle Arthritis
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- Counseling for Depression
- Panic Disorder with Therapy
- Treating Eating Disorders
- Mood Disorders Treatment
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Our orthopedic and sports medicine specialists
508-484-8271
Contact the Sport Psychology Program
508-484-8271
International Patient Services
Contact information for international patients