Sports Psychology therapists in Newport Beach, CA
Browse Sports Psychology therapists in Newport Beach, California. Compare credentials, specialties and therapeutic approach. Contact a therapist to learn more.
Sports
Dr. Mitch Keil, PsyD
Psychologist, Keil Psych Group
Athletes often spend enormous amounts of time training their bodies while giving far less attention to the mind that's actually directing them.
Sports psychology can help with performance anxiety, confidence, focus, motivation, perfectionism, fear of failure, recovering from mistakes, and performing under pressure. But our approach also goes deeper. Sometimes the thing interfering with performance isn't simply a lack of mental skills. There may be something psychologically meaningful happening beneath the surface.
For some athletes, performance becomes inseparable from self-worth. A mistake doesn't just feel like a mistake—it feels like something is wrong with you. Others become overly controlled, lose their instincts under pressure, struggle with expectations from coaches or parents, or find that the harder they try to perform, the further they get from the relaxed and instinctive state where they perform best.
Our approach to sports psychology combines performance-focused strategies with psychodynamic and depth-oriented therapy. We work on the practical side—focus, emotional regulation, confidence, visualization, resilience, and performing under pressure—while also understanding the deeper patterns that may be getting in your way.
We also work with athletes navigating injury, burnout, transitions, loss of confidence, and the difficult question of who you are when you're not competing or performing at your best.
The goal isn't just better performance. It's greater psychological freedom—the ability to compete hard, take risks, recover from failure, trust yourself, and perform without your entire sense of self riding on the outcome.
16 Years Experience
In-Person in Newport Beach, CA 92660
Online in Newport Beach, CA
Sports
New Beginnings Christian Counseling
Marriage and Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Athletes and active individuals often face pressure, performance anxiety, burnout, or challenges with motivation and focus. In sports psychology counseling, we help clients develop mental resilience, set achievable goals, and manage stress both on and off the field. By combining evidence-based psychological strategies with Christ-centered guidance, athletes gain tools to improve performance, maintain balance, and cultivate confidence, focus, and emotional well-being in all areas of life.
15 Years Experience
In-Person Near Newport Beach, CA
Online in Newport Beach, CA
Sports
Stuart Hellebrand, M.S., C.Ht.
Hypnotherapist
Hypnosis is a valuable tool for those seeking a competitive edge in sports performance. I have been involved with sports performance improvement since the 1970’s through my work with sports competitors to include recreational golfers, collegiate middle-distance runners and swimmers, marathon runners, and others. Noteworthy, among my clients, has been a CIF track and field champion, a swimmer on Cal Berkeley’s 2X national championship team, a collegiate middle-distance champion, and a marathoner who successfully completed the Mount Everest Marathon.
Addressing the performance aspects of sports through hypnosis complements physical training and can lead to breakthrough performances. My use of hypnosis works by reprogramming negative self-talk, empowering performance through affirmations and guided imagery, boosting confidence, and reducing anxiety. In that pre-competition jitters or fear of failure can derail an athlete’s mindset, hypnosis employs subconscious relaxation techniques and guided imagery to reduce cortisol levels and promote a calm composed state of mind, while fostering a winning attitude.
Studies have shown the efficacy of hypnosis in sports. For example, a 2016 review in the International Journal of Sports Science highlighted significant performance improvements in athletes who used hypnosis compared to those who did not. Those who used hypnosis reported better focus, reduced pre-competition anxiety, and enhanced execution of skills after hypnosis sessions.
In sports performance counseling, my use of hypnosis facilitates vivid mental imagery, allowing athletes to visualize successful performance. Research has shown that mental rehearsal can strengthen neural pathways, helping the body to perform as if it has already achieved the desired outcome. Using hypnotic relaxation to tap into an athlete’s subconscious allows the competitor to tap into their commitment to training, discipline, and goal achievement in a stress-free manner.
59 Years Experience
Online in Newport Beach, CA
Sports
Chris 'Bucky' Bateman
Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT
Athletes face unique psychological challenges; performance anxiety, identity tied to sport, injury recovery, and the pressure to perform consistently at the highest level. We work with athletes to develop mental resilience, manage performance anxiety, and build the psychological skills that translate directly to better performance and a healthier relationship with their sport.
21 Years Experience
Online in Newport Beach, CA
Sports
Dr. Sari Shepphird
Psychologist, Ph.D.
Dr. Sari is beyond an expert in sports psychology and recognized as an award winning leader in sport & performance psychology. She works with athletes, coaches, teams and performers from every premiere sport. She works with World Champions, Olympians, elite athletes, and rising stars from nearly every sport imaginable.
30 Years Experience
Online in Newport Beach, CA
Sports Psychology therapists in Newport Beach, CA Statistics
Sports Psychology therapists in Newport Beach, CA average 18 years of experience and charge around $226 per session. 100% offer online sessions. The top treatment approaches are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (60%), Psychodynamic Therapy (48%), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) (48%).
Average years in practice
18 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$226
Accept insurance
32%
Offer sliding scale
56%
Gender ID
| 56% |
Male |
|
| 32% |
Female |
|
| 6% |
Gender Fluid |
|
| 6% |
Non-Binary |
|
Session Type
| 64% |
In Person and Online |
|
| 36% |
Online Only |
|
Top Treatment Approaches
| 60% | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| 48% | Psychodynamic Therapy |
| 48% | Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) |
| 40% | Behavioral Therapy |
| 40% | Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) |
| 36% | Family Systems Therapy |
| 36% | Gestalt Therapy |
Ages Served
| 96% | Adult |
| 80% | Young Adult |
| 60% | Senior |
| 60% | Teen |
| 32% | Children |
Client Focus
| 68% | Men |
| 56% | Women |
| 48% | Jewish |
| 48% | LGBTQ+ |
| 44% | Black / African American |