Sports Psychology therapists in Salinas, CA
Browse Sports Psychology therapists in Salinas, 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
Online in Salinas, CA
Sports
Alberto Gamarra
Psychologist, Ph. D. NCSP
In today's athletic environment, there are so many "issues" for parents and their student-athletes to overcome. A few of the topics that I have worked with in my 20+ years include: parent/coach dynamics, sideline behavior, athlete motivation, performance issues, concussions, goal-setting, team building, injury recovery, and career termination. Each of these areas is approached with care and individuality that they deserve, no 2 student-athletes present in the same way.
26 Years Experience
Online in Salinas, 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
Online in Salinas, CA
Sports
Jacqlyn Wax Creviston
Psychologist, M.A. Sports Pysychology; Psy.D Clinical Psychology
Treatment for Sports Psychology Include:
positive self-talk
imagery
goal setting
relaxation techniques
Stress management and coping skills
6 Years Experience
Online in Salinas, CA (Online Only)
Sports
Roderic Burks - Integrative Mental Health
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, MS, MS HSc, MA, LMHC, LPC
I work with athletes and active individuals to explore the mental, emotional, and relational patterns that impact performance and well-being. Together, we address anxiety, focus, motivation, and self-limiting beliefs while connecting with your strengths and goals. The aim is to build resilience, confidence, and a more balanced, focused, and empowered approach to sport and life.
26 Years Experience
Online in Salinas, CA (Online Only)
Salinas is the county seat of Monterey County and the birthplace of John Steinbeck, a city with a majority Latino population deeply rooted in the agricultural economy of the Salinas Valley, and a mental health landscape shaped by the significant challenges of agricultural labor, immigration stress, gang violence in some neighborhoods, and limited access to culturally and linguistically appropriate care. Spanish-language therapy is essential here, and the demand for bilingual practitioners who understand the specific stressors of farmworker and immigrant community life significantly outpaces supply. Natividad Medical Center, a county-run hospital, provides some behavioral health services, and community health organizations supplement what is a relatively limited private therapy sector. Common therapy concerns include trauma, family separation stress, anxiety, depression, and the intergenerational challenges faced by a community navigating the intersection of a demanding agricultural economy and evolving cultural identity.
Sports Psychology therapists in Salinas, CA Statistics
Sports Psychology therapists in Salinas, CA average 18 years of experience and charge around $228 per session. 100% offer online sessions. The top treatment approaches are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (64%), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) (52%), and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) (44%).
Average years in practice
18 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$228
Accept insurance
28%
Offer sliding scale
52%
Gender ID
| 53% |
Male |
|
| 35% |
Female |
|
| 6% |
Gender Fluid |
|
| 6% |
Non-Binary |
|
Session Type
| 64% |
In Person and Online |
|
| 36% |
Online Only |
|
Top Treatment Approaches
| 64% | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| 52% | Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) |
| 44% | Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) |
| 44% | Psychodynamic Therapy |
| 40% | Behavioral Therapy |
| 40% | Family Systems Therapy |
| 36% | Existential / Humanistic Therapy |
Ages Served
| 96% | Adult |
| 80% | Young Adult |
| 64% | Senior |
| 60% | Teen |
| 36% | Children |
Client Focus
| 68% | Men |
| 56% | Women |
| 52% | LGBTQ+ |
| 48% | Christian |
| 48% | Jewish |