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Sport Anxiety: Proven Mental Strategies Athletes Use to Perform Under Pressure
A focused athlete takes a moment for reflection in an empty, illuminated stadium, preparing mentally for the challenge ahead. Sport anxiety emerges as a phenomenon we encounter regularly when working with client-athletes across all competitive levels. Research demonstrates that approximately 91% of athletes experience some degree of stress related to their sports participation [4], which means we, as practitioners, will inevitably work with clients facing these challenges. Bu

Dr Paul McCarthy
Jun 1211 min read
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How to Manage Aggression in Sport: A Parent's Guide to Helping Young Football Players Control Anger
A young boy in a red jersey focuses intently on his soccer drill as a coach offers guidance in the background during a sunny training session. Witnessing aggression in sport, especially when it surfaces in your own child during a football match, prompts uncomfortable questions about how we respond. Anger emerges as one of the two most experienced emotions in team contact sports. The complexity becomes clear when we consider what studies reveal: the thinking brain can shut dow

Dr Paul McCarthy
May 911 min read
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How to Handle Behavioural Interventions for Children's Angry Outbursts: A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents
A warm and joyful moment as a mother and her child share a heartfelt smile while sitting together in a sunlit living room. Behavioral interventions for children's angry outbursts can feel overwhelming, especially when those meltdowns escalate into aggressive behavior. But here's the thing: anger becomes a real problem when it turns out of control or happens more intensely than developmentally expected. Therefore, untreated behavioral problems can make it harder for kids to su

Dr Paul McCarthy
Apr 27 min read
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![Mental Toughness in Basketball: What NBA Champions Do Differently [Pro Tips]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/861526_c17eaea7a52e4737a87a0c797cf1b5e5~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_333,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_avif,quality_auto/861526_c17eaea7a52e4737a87a0c797cf1b5e5~mv2.webp)
![Mental Toughness in Basketball: What NBA Champions Do Differently [Pro Tips]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/861526_c17eaea7a52e4737a87a0c797cf1b5e5~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_514,h_386,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/861526_c17eaea7a52e4737a87a0c797cf1b5e5~mv2.webp)
Mental Toughness in Basketball: What NBA Champions Do Differently [Pro Tips]
A basketball player intensely focuses as he prepares to make a free throw during a crucial game, with a packed stadium watching intently. Basketball's elite shooters make only about 45% of their shots. They miss more than half the time . Michael Jordan, the greatest basketball player that ever spread the game, famously admitted: "I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed" .

Dr Paul McCarthy
Jan 158 min read
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How to Master Athlete Stress Management: A Pro's Playbook
A woman practices yoga and meditation in a sunlit studio, exuding calm and focus amidst fellow practitioners. Did you know that many elite athletes just need 10+ hours of quality sleep each night to manage stress and replenish their energy? Athletes face real and often overwhelming pressure. The stress can be immense whether you're pushing for your personal best, bouncing back from an injury, or juggling tough training schedules with life's demands. This unique mix of stresso

Dr Paul McCarthy
Jan 28 min read
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Why Athletes Feel Shame: A Coach's Guide to Overcoming Athletic Shame
A young athlete sits thoughtfully in a dimly lit locker room, capturing a moment of introspection and fatigue after a long day of practice. Athletic shame plagues nearly 50% of athletes who struggle with this destructive emotion during their performances . These athletes suffer silently despite their physical abilities. Shame chips away at their confidence and leaves them feeling isolated in their darkest moments . Research proves that athletes who lack self-esteem perform 20

Dr Paul McCarthy
Dec 22, 20259 min read
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How to Conduct CBT Intake Assessments for Athletes: A Step-by-Step Guide for Sport Psychologists
A professional setting where a man and woman in business attire are engaged in a lively conversation, with the woman taking notes on a clipboard. CBT can reduce performance anxiety by up to 45% and boost an athlete's confidence and concentration during competitions . A CBT intake assessment for athletes goes beyond checking boxes. It creates a foundation to improve mental performance. The assessment helps understand an athlete's thought patterns, emotional responses, and beha

Dr Paul McCarthy
Dec 13, 20257 min read
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