Sports Psychology therapists in Lake Norman of Catawba, NC
Browse Sports Psychology therapists in Lake Norman of Catawba, North Carolina. Compare credentials, specialties and therapeutic approach. Contact a therapist to learn more.
Sports
Nour Counseling
Counselor/Therapist
Sports are often treated like they’re just about performance—but for many athletes, it becomes your identity, your structure, and the lens through which you’re evaluated. You’re expected to push through, stay disciplined, and perform no matter what’s happening mentally or physically. There’s constant pressure—coaches, teammates, expectations, comparisons—and very little space to actually process what that does to you. When things start to shift—burnout, anxiety, injury, loss of confidence, or stepping away from sport—it can feel like everything underneath it gets shaken too.
At Nour Counseling, we don’t just focus on performance—we look at the full impact. We help you understand how pressure, expectations, and identity are shaping how you show up, both in your sport and outside of it. From there, we actively build strategies that actually hold under pressure—regulation, focus, recovery, and ways to respond to setbacks without spiraling. We also name the culture of sports itself—the normalization of overtraining, the tying of worth to performance, the lack of space for anything outside of winning—so you’re not internalizing something that was never yours to carry. This is about helping you perform with clarity and consistency, while also building a sense of self that isn’t dependent on how you perform that day.
9 Years Experience
Online in Lake Norman of Catawba, NC (Online Only)
Sports
Dr. Thomas Ballas
Psychologist, PhD; PSYPACT
I am a clinical psychologist with specialized expertise in performance enhancement, drawing from my experiences as an operational psychologist in the U.S. Army. During my military career, I worked extensively with individuals operating in high-stress environments, helping them build mental resilience, maintain focus, and perform at their peak during critical missions. These experiences have given me a unique understanding of the psychological demands of high-pressure situations, which translates seamlessly into the world of sports and performance at all levels of competition.
With advanced training in evidence-based approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness-based techniques, I help athletes and performers optimize their mental game. Whether you're striving to overcome mental blocks, enhance focus, or build confidence, my goal is to help you unlock your full potential. Together, we will develop a tailored approach to strengthen your mindset, improve performance, and achieve success in your sport or field.
10 Years Experience
Online in Lake Norman of Catawba, NC
Sports
Dr. Sheryl Ferguson
Psychologist, (Psy.D.)
I can help with sports psychology. During our collaborative experience together, I will provide an empathic and caring space to help you move through your struggles, so you can live your best life. Together we will find ways towards a path of feeling better, leaning new coping skills to reconnect with your internal self.
23 Years Experience
Online in Lake Norman of Catawba, NC (Online Only)
Sports
Clear Path Counseling and Wellness Center
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA. LPC
Brad provides trauma-informed sports performance counseling and sports psychology coaching for athletes seeking to improve focus, confidence, consistency, and performance under pressure. He works with athletes across multiple sports, including golf, basketball, soccer, baseball, ice hockey, swimming, tennis, and football, supporting both competitive and recreational performers.
Many athletes struggle with performance anxiety, confidence blocks, inconsistency, fear of failure, difficulty performing under pressure, or mental barriers that interfere with reaching their full potential. These challenges can affect reaction time, decision-making, focus, emotional regulation, and overall performance outcomes.
Brad takes a holistic, performance-focused approach to sports psychology, helping athletes strengthen mental resilience, improve concentration, regulate performance anxiety, and develop a more confident and stable mindset in competition. Therapy and coaching are tailored to the individual athlete’s goals, sport demands, and competitive environment.
As an experienced trauma therapist and EMDR therapist, Brad integrates EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), mental performance strategies, visualization techniques, emotional regulation skills, and holistic coaching approaches to help athletes identify and reduce mental blocks that may interfere with peak performance. This can include working through past experiences, performance-related stress, or underlying emotional patterns that impact confidence and focus.
Sessions may focus on building pre-performance routines, improving focus under pressure, enhancing recovery from mistakes, and developing a strong, consistent “competitive mindset.” Athletes also work on balancing training demands with mental and emotional well-being to support sustainable performance and prevent burnout.
Brad’s approach is collaborative and individualized, helping athletes create practical mental strategies they can apply in training and competition. The goal is not only improved performance outcomes, but also greater confidence, enjoyment of the sport, and long-term mental resilience.
With the right mental training and support, athletes can overcome performance barriers, unlock greater consistency, and compete with clarity, confidence, and control under pressure.
28 Years Experience
Online in Lake Norman of Catawba, NC (Online Only)
Sports
Dr. Samantha Morris
Psychologist, PsyD
I have experience working with athletes from HS, collegiate, professional, and Olympic levels. I have specific knowledge about the stressors that come with being an athlete and performing at high levels. I work extensively with DI college athletes and am listed on the USOPC Mental Health Directory. Some of my interests and specialties within the field of sports psychology include anxiety (including performance anxiety), mindfulness, injury, return to sport after injury, managing chronic health conditions while being an athlete, and high pressure positions.
11 Years Experience
Online in Lake Norman of Catawba, NC (Online Only)
Sports Psychology therapists in Lake Norman of Catawba, NC Statistics
Sports Psychology therapists in Lake Norman of Catawba, NC average 18 years of experience and charge around $234 per session. 100% offer online sessions. The top treatment approaches are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (79%), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) (48%), and Behavioral Therapy (48%).
Average years in practice
18 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$234
Accept insurance
24%
Offer sliding scale
55%
Gender ID
| 50% |
Female |
|
| 44% |
Male |
|
| 3% |
Gender Fluid |
|
| 3% |
Non-Binary |
|
Session Type
| 59% |
Online Only |
|
| 41% |
In Person and Online |
|
Top Treatment Approaches
| 79% | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| 48% | Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) |
| 48% | Behavioral Therapy |
| 41% | Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) |
| 34% | Family Systems Therapy |
| 31% | Existential / Humanistic Therapy |
| 28% | Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) |
Ages Served
| 100% | Adult |
| 83% | Young Adult |
| 59% | Senior |
| 59% | Teen |
| 24% | Children |
Client Focus
| 55% | Women |
| 52% | Men |
| 41% | Military / Veterans |
| 38% | Jewish |
| 34% | Black / African American |