Sports/Pain Psychology and Behavioral Therapies
It’s not “all in your head”. But a lot of it is in your
brain. The brain and nervous system regulates physical function and activity.
Mood and behavior, as well as expectation and insight have a tremendous
effect on regulation, and by extension, physical function. Conscious and
subconscious contributions to mood, behavior, expectation, and insight
can be assessed by the Center for Sports Neurology and Pain Medicine’s
expert team of Neuropsychological, Sports Psychology, and Pain Psychology
clinical experts. This talented and dedicated team of professionals can
then develop specific, individualized programs to educate, develop resilience,
teach coping strategies, address mood disorders, and work toward a mindset
that optimizes performance, minimizes pain, or otherwise addresses factors
that may be limiting desired outcome.
Personal interview, validated pen and paper testing, and computerized assessments
are used as indicated for individualized assessment. A variety of treatment
and intervention strategies may be used, such as Cognitive-Behavioral
Therapy, Biofeedback/Neurofeedback, Mindfulness Meditation, or other methods
of quieting and regulating the autonomic system – based on the needs,
logistical factors, and resources available to the individual patient
or client.
For some individuals, stress (and the chemicals released as a result),
impairs peak performance. Learning strategies to control adrenaline, or
ways to use it to advantage, can be powerful. Identifying and overcoming
limiting mindsets and expectations can unleash abilities and performance
potential that has laid dormant for years – even in high functioning
individuals.
Most individuals recognize the need to exercise their bodies. Cardiovascular
training, strength and conditioning training, flexibility training, and
other physical exercises dominate their self-improvement activities. Sports
Psychology, Pain Psychology, and Behavioral Therapies balance these efforts
with assessment and training of the brain and the conscious mind. In fact,
the results of physical training and attempts at peak Sports Performance can
never be optimized in the absence of an optimal mindset.
Our clinical psychology consultants specialize in Sports Psychology (for
athletes dealing with recovery from injury, retirement-related issues,
cognitive and mood-related complaints, or interested in optimizing function)
and Pain Psychology (for collaborative assessment of candidacy for certain
medications and interventional procedures, to assess for and institute
cognitive-behavioral therapies and biofeedback).