Sports Psychology Therapists in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

When working with sports psychology, I like to start with some mindfulness around the issue to gain a deeper understanding of the experience, from here there are many options, and I rely of the client's wisdom to guide me.

If you are an athlete or performer, you know that mindset can impact performance just as much as physical training. You may struggle with performance anxiety, loss of confidence after injury, pressure to succeed, or difficulty staying focused under stress. Even highly skilled athletes can feel mentally blocked at times. At Selah Counselling, we approach sports psychology with practical, evidence-based strategies that strengthen mental resilience. We focus on performance mindset, emotional regulation, confidence-building, and pressure management in high-demand environments. Together, we work on sharpening focus, recovering from setbacks, and building consistency so your mental game supports your physical ability. The goal is not just peak performance, but sustainable confidence and steadiness both on and off the field.

Having grown up as a competitive athlete and earning a Masters degree in Sport & Exercise Psychology, I help athletes with their mental performance and support them through challenges faced inside and outside of sport.

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.

Supporting individuals in managing performance pressure, mindset, and identity, while creating a more balanced and sustainable relationship with achievement.

Winnipeg's long, harsh winters and geographic isolation contribute to elevated rates of seasonal depression and mood challenges, and therapists with expertise in SAD and long-term mood management serve a genuine clinical need. The city has the highest proportion of Indigenous residents of any major Canadian city, and therapists offering trauma-informed, culturally grounded care for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit clients — including work on intergenerational trauma from residential schools — are a critically important part of the local mental health landscape. Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg provides major institutional mental health resources, with a private practice community serving River Heights, St. Vital, and St. Boniface. Winnipeg's working-class and multicultural character shapes a therapy culture that values pragmatism, community belonging, and directness.

Gender ID

	64%	Female
	36%	Male

Session Type

	60%	Online Only
	40%	In Person and Online

Top Treatment Approaches

90%	Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
60%	Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
60%	Narrative Therapy
60%	Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
50%	Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
50%	Gottman Method Couples Therapy
50%	Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Ages Served

100%	Adult
80%	Young Adult
70%	Senior
70%	Teen
30%	Children

Client Focus

30%	Men
30%	Women
20%	Black / African American
20%	Christian
20%	Military / Veterans

Sports Psychology therapists in Winnipeg, Manitoba MB, Canada CA

Aaron Chin

Selah Counselling, Mediation, and Training Center

Colleen Collins

Stuart Hellebrand, M.S., C.Ht.

Serenity Ridge Therapy