SERVICES
- Sport counselling to explore how personal challenges influence the athlete and their sport performance.
- Psycho-educational programs focusing on sport performance enhancement.
- Assessments to identify and classify performance-related challenges and issues.
Individual sessions
Sport psychology services Cape Town. Individual Sport Psychology sessions typically include: determining current performance and possible areas of development; and strategies to develop and improve these areas. Pre-competition sessions focus on the upcoming competition and how to deal with important aspects thereof. Post-competition sessions assess the value of the mental strategies used and in so doing, recognize what was effective or not and thereby look at development areas.
Initially a few sessions are required when the athlete has never previously consulted with a Sport Psychology specialist to become familiar with the whole process. Thereafter, between 4-6 sessions will familiarize you with the process and so allow you to engage with mental preparation strategies. Appointments can be made thereafter as so required by the athlete. psychology services Cape Town
Team consultations
There are two instances where teams consult with a Sport Psychology specialist; the first one is to support them with some aspect that is very specific to the team, e.g., team building, conflict management. The second option is a more ongoing process where the psychologist is in regular and ongoing contact with the coach, athletes and management. Team dynamics and psychological skills are some aspects that are observed and supported. psychology services Cape Town
Sport Psychology workshops
Workshops focus on specific themes (e.g., goal setting, mental strategies, and motivation) or can look at a specific sport event or competition (e.g., helping the team prepare for an upcoming tour or big event or even to assist coaches with the mental preparation of their athletes).
Sports talks
Informal or formal talks are aimed at informing athletes, coaches and parents about Sport Psychology and what it entails. These talks can vary between 1 and 2 hours with the theme of the talk being determined by the audience and the aim and objectives discussed prior to the presentation
Sport Psychology skills and techniques that can be learned as part of training the mind:
- Motivation (internal motivators and external motivators)
- Mental skills in sport (e.g., focus and visualization)
- Goal-setting in sport and life in general
- Ideal state of sport performance arousal
- Distracters and control (internal distracters, e.g., negative thinking patterns and how to deal with them; and external distracters such as crowds and how to use it constructively)
- Developing teamwork and leadership skills in sport
- Time and energy management in sport
- Problem-solving, decision making and conflict management in sport
- Living a healthy sport life
- Intra-personal and inter-personal skills and sport
- Dealing with injuries
- Professional behaviour on the sport field
- Stress, anxiety and burnout in sport and the management thereof, and
- Sport as a career
Sport Psychology
Why Sport Psychology?
A lot of time is spent developing physical skills in sport. Often it is only these skills that get developed, with little being done about the necessary mental side of sport.
The mental state of the athlete is often what makes the difference between excellent, mediocre or poor performance.
Sport Psychology helps athletes develop the mental side of their sport skills and so enhance their sport performance.
What Then Is Sport Psychology?
Sport Psychology is an interdisciplinary science that draws on knowledge from several fields and focuses on how:
- Psychological factors impact on sports performance and participation, and
- Participation in sport and exercise influences psychological and physical factors.
Educational Psychology services include:
Assessments:
- Scholastic assessments
- Subject choice
- Career choice
- School readiness
- Study Skills
Therapy:
- Behaviour challenges
- Emotional challenges
- Family challenges
- Relationship challenges
Is Your Child Ready For School?
Starting formal schooling is one of the most significant milestones in a child’s life, making adequate preparation essential. A child who is not school-ready may enter the formal learning environment with developmental gaps that can have long-term consequences for how they experience learning and progress academically. While formal schooling can sometimes support children in catching up, it does not always accommodate individual developmental needs. For this reason, assessing school readiness before a child enters formal education is vital.
School readiness refers to a child’s overall ability to benefit from formal education within a group setting. This includes intellectual, social, physical, emotional, and normative developmental aspects. Each of these areas needs to be sufficiently developed for a child to function optimally in a structured learning environment. If a child enters Grade 1 with one or more of these areas underdeveloped, they may struggle to reach their full potential.
The involvement of parents, pre-school teachers, and relevant health professionals, such as an Educational Psychologist, plays an important role in supporting a child’s transition into formal schooling. A school readiness assessment helps identify a child’s strengths and developmental challenges early. Where necessary, targeted support can then be provided to strengthen areas that require further development.
Through assessment and guidance, an Educational Psychologist supports the child, family, and school in ensuring a smooth and successful transition into formal education, helping to create a strong foundation for future learning.
The Importance Of Choosing
The Right Career
Thinking about one’s career while still at school is often a distant and abstract idea. However, as learners approach the end of their school careers, career decision-making becomes a very real and sometimes overwhelming consideration for both pupils and their parents. Choosing a career path can feel daunting, particularly when learners are uncertain whether they possess the necessary aptitude, personality traits, values, and interests required for their chosen field.
Many pupils select courses or fields of study without a clear understanding of how well these align with their abilities or long-term goals. Parents, too, may feel unsure about how best to guide their children, often relying on limited insight into their child’s strengths, preferences, and potential career suitability.
The importance of informed career decision-making has increased significantly in light of changing career trends. In the past, individuals often remained in a single career for life. Today, it is common for people to change careers multiple times. Having a clear understanding of one’s interests, aptitude, personality, and values therefore provides a strong foundation for navigating future career changes.
As an Educational Psychologist, I recommend that school leavers undergo a comprehensive career assessment to identify suitable career directions. This assessment involves a battery of objective tests that evaluate aptitude, personality, interests, and values. The results assist learners, school leavers, and students in making informed career decisions, reducing uncertainty and helping to save time and financial resources by avoiding unsuitable study or career choices.
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Train Your Mind. Elevate Your Game.
Success in sports isn’t just about physical ability—it’s about mastering your mindset. Whether you’re an elite athlete, part of a team, or competing for personal growth, the right mental strategies can give you the edge you need.
Andrew Lewis, an experienced Sports Psychologist, helps athletes build confidence, improve focus, manage pressure, and enhance overall performance. Through tailored mental coaching, workshops, and consultations, you’ll develop the resilience and mindset required to excel in any competition. psychology services Cape Town