Sports Psychology therapists in Madison, Wisconsin WI
We are proud to feature top rated Sports Psychology therapists in Madison. We encourage you to review each profile to find your best match.
Sports
Melissa Drinkman, Pathways To Connection
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, DBH, LCSW
At Pathways To Connection, we utilize sports psychology and psychotherapy to enhance mental well-being and performance. We focus on helping individuals address emotional, psychological, and behavioral challenges by providing a safe space for self-reflection, growth, and healing. This can help people manage stress, anxiety, trauma, and relationship issues, supporting you in improving their overall mental health. We also focus on helping you improve your mental resilience, motivation, focus, and emotional control, enhancing your ability to perform under pressure. We use techniques such as visualization, goal setting, and mindfulness, to empower you to overcome mental barriers and achieve peak performance.
14 Years Experience
Online in Madison, WI Wisconsin (Online Only)
Sports
Dr. Kimberlyann Marsden
Psychologist
I have a passion for working with athletes of all levels. I have a unique perspective because I have experienced sports from many different perspectives: child athlete, collegiate- All American, coach ( from child recreation level to Division 1), parent of athletes, sports psychology researcher and therapist. I take a holistic approach to working with athletes which means I look not only at sport performance but how the athlete is functioning in life- their overall health and well-being. Sessions may include sport specific techniques for performance enhancement, general stress reduction and breathwork techniques, cognitive strategies to enhance mind-set and self-efficacy.
26 Years Experience
Online in Madison, WI Wisconsin (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 Madison, WI Wisconsin (Online Only)
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 Madison, WI Wisconsin
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 Madison, WI Wisconsin
Madison is home to the University of Wisconsin — one of the top research universities in the country — and serves as Wisconsin's state capital, giving it an unusually high concentration of academics, researchers, and government professionals who collectively represent one of the most therapy-positive demographics in the Midwest. The city's progressive political culture and high rate of higher education strongly correlate with high therapy utilization and acceptance across multiple demographics. UW Health and SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital provide institutional mental health resources, with a well-developed private practice community serving Willy Street, Atwood, and the Near East Side. Madison's growing Latino and East African communities — particularly Hmong and Somali residents — are increasing demand for multilingual and culturally grounded therapists.
Sports Psychology therapists in Madison, Wisconsin Statistics
Sports Psychology therapists in Madison, Wisconsin average 18 years of experience and charge around $223 per session. 100% offer online sessions. The top treatment approaches are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (79%), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) (45%), and Behavioral Therapy (41%).
Average years in practice
18 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$223
Accept insurance
28%
Offer sliding scale
55%
Gender ID
| 57% |
Female |
|
| 40% |
Male |
|
| 3% |
Non-Binary |
|
Session Type
| 55% |
Online Only |
|
| 45% |
In Person and Online |
|
Top Treatment Approaches
| 79% | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| 45% | Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) |
| 41% | Behavioral Therapy |
| 38% | Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) |
| 34% | Integrative Therapy |
| 31% | Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) |
| 28% | Family Systems Therapy |
Ages Served
| 100% | Adult |
| 86% | Young Adult |
| 62% | Senior |
| 62% | Teen |
| 28% | Children |
Client Focus
| 62% | Women |
| 59% | Men |
| 41% | Military / Veterans |
| 34% | Christian |
| 34% | Persons with Disabilities |