Understanding Mental Performance

Mental performance work focuses on optimizing focus, confidence, and psychological resilience for high-stakes situations. While our network of mental performance specialists is growing, you can explore therapists who support goal-setting, performance anxiety, and personal development.

Want help finding the right therapist? Call or text us at 778-486-0068

Nicolai Carp
Registered Clinical Counsellor
- Virtual sessions in BC, AB, MB, SK
Nicolai Carp
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Offers free consultation
$175/session
Men's issues, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Anger Management, ADHD, Assertiveness, Body Dysmorphia, Childhood trauma, Coping Skills, Motivation, Relationships, Social anxiety, Workplace stress, Intergenerational trauma, Low mood, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Masculinity, Mental performance, Mind-body connection, People pleasing, Personal Growth, Relationship to self and others, Relationship anxiety, Responsibility, Wellness Counselling, Sports Performance, Weight Management
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Bina Persaud
Registered Psychotherapist
- Offers in-person (Pickering, ON)
- Virtual sessions in all provinces and territories.
Bina Persaud
Registered Psychotherapist
Offers free consultation
$160/session
General Mental Health, Life transitions, Mental performance, Addiction, ADHD, Adoption, Anger, Anxiety, Attachment, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), BIPOC, Bipolar Disorder, Body Dysmorphia, Building Self-Care Routines, Bullying, Burnout, Career guidance, Career Stress, Childhood trauma, Children/Teens, Chronic Illness, College or University Coaching, Cultural Challenges, Dating challenges, Depression, Early childhood, Dreams, Eating disorders
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Jason Colero
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
- Waitlist
- Virtual sessions in NS, ON, BC
Jason Colero
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
he/him
Offers free consultation
$140/session
Anxiety, Self-esteem, Motivation, Anger, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Building Self-Care Routines, Bullying, Burnout, Career Stress, Career Performance, Competitive anxiety, Confidence, Depression, Emotional regulation, Imposter syndrome, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Mental performance, Mindfulness, Mindfulness and stress reduction, Mindfulness Practices, Performance anxiety, Relationship to self and others, Self-Criticism, Sports Performance, Stress
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Dr. Chasidy Karpiuk
Registered Clinical Counsellor
- Waitlist
- Offers in-person (North Vancouver, BC)
- Virtual sessions in BC
Dr. Chasidy Karpiuk
Registered Clinical Counsellor
She/Her
Offers free consultation
$200/session
ADHD, Addiction, Trauma, Aging, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anger Management, Anxiety, Assertiveness, Attachment wounds, Attachment trauma, Anger, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Depression, Chronic Illness, Early childhood, Family issues, Insomnia, Mindfulness, Navigating challenging relationships, Negative thinking and ruminating, Workplace stress, Relationships, Stress, Attention and Impulsivity, Befriending the Nervous System, Behaviour, Behavioural Issues, Bipolar Disorder, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Building Meaningful Connections, Building Self-Care Routines, Bullying, Burnout, Children/Teens, Chronic and acute illness, College or University Coaching, Coming out and identity, Confidence, Connecting with your Inherent Power, Coping Skills, Couples, Couples Therapy, Creativity, Decision making, Deep connections, Disability, Dreams, Emotional Fluidity, Emotional Numbness, Emotional regulation, Empowerment, Familial and social relationships, Family Conflict, Fears and phobia, Goal Setting, Health anxiety, Imposter syndrome, Infidelity, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Intimacy concerns, LGBTQ2IA+, Low mood, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Managing ADHD symptoms, Meaning and purpose, Mental performance, Mind-body connection, Mindfulness and stress reduction, Mindfulness Practices, Motivation, Negative body image, Nervous system regulation, Neurodiversity, Panic attacks, People pleasing, Perfectionism, Personality & Mood Disorders, Phobias, Power, Problematic video gaming, Productivity, Psychedelic therapy, PTSD, Relationship anxiety, Relationship to self and others, Responsibility, School challenges, Self Destructive Behaviour, Self-Criticism, Self-Development, Self-esteem, Self-Regulation, Separation and divorce, Separation anxiety, Sleeping difficulties, Social anxiety, Somatic Therapy, Specific phobias, Substance Use, Thought Restructuring, Transitioning into Adulthood, Trauma processing, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Vulnerability, Wellness Counselling, Women's Health, Work-Life Balance
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Calum Ramsay
Registered Clinical Counsellor
- Waitlist
- Offers in-person (Victoria, BC)
- Virtual sessions in MB, NT, YT, NU, BC, SK, PE, NS, NB
Calum Ramsay
Registered Clinical Counsellor
He/Him
Offers free consultation
$160/session
Anxiety, Self-esteem, Life transitions, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anger, Behaviour, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Couples Therapy, Depression, Emotional regulation, Imposter syndrome, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Masculinity, Men's issues, Mental performance, Meaning and purpose, Negative thinking and ruminating, Perfectionism, Attachment, Self-Criticism, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
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Browse all therapists

Mental performance refers to the psychological aspects of performing at your best—whether in athletics, business, creative pursuits, or other demanding fields. It encompasses focus, confidence, emotional regulation under pressure, motivation, and the ability to manage performance anxiety. Many high achievers work with professionals to develop the mental skills that complement their technical abilities.

Working with a therapist on mental performance can help you identify patterns that hold you back, develop strategies for managing pressure, build confidence, and create sustainable practices for peak performance. While specialized performance psychologists are not yet widely available on our platform, many therapists offer support for related areas like anxiety, goal-setting, stress management, and personal development that can contribute to improved performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is mental performance work?

Mental performance work focuses on developing the psychological skills needed to perform at your best under pressure. This includes building focus and concentration, managing performance anxiety, developing confidence, setting and achieving goals, and creating mental routines that support optimal performance. It's commonly used by athletes, executives, performers, and anyone seeking to optimize their mental capabilities.

What are the benefits of working on mental performance?

People who work on mental performance often experience improved focus, greater confidence in high-pressure situations, better emotional regulation, clearer goal-setting, and more consistent performance. Beyond the performance context, these skills often transfer to other areas of life, supporting overall well-being and resilience.

Who might benefit from mental performance support?

Anyone who wants to perform better under pressure may benefit from mental performance work. This includes competitive athletes, business professionals, students preparing for exams, performers, public speakers, and anyone facing high-stakes situations. It's also valuable for people who struggle with performance anxiety or want to develop greater mental discipline.

How do I find a mental performance therapist?

Look for therapists who mention experience with performance psychology, sports psychology, executive coaching, or anxiety management. On First Session, you can watch therapist intro videos to understand their approach. While specialized mental performance practitioners are limited, many therapists can support the underlying skills of focus, confidence, and stress management.

Are there related areas I could explore?

If you're interested in mental performance, you might explore therapists who work with performance anxiety, stress management, goal-setting, sports performance, career guidance, or personal development. Many of the skills developed in these areas—like emotional regulation and confidence-building—directly support improved performance.

How can First Session help me find support?

First Session connects you with licensed therapists across Canada. You can browse profiles, filter by specialty, watch intro videos to see their approach, and book directly online. Credentials are verified during onboarding. To get started, learn more about finding a therapist in Canada.

You deserve more from therapy.

You made the courageous decision to reach your full potential. Find the right therapist to help get you there, and make the most of the time and money you’re investing in yourself.

Find your therapist

Understanding Mental Performance

Therapists

Nicolai Carp

Nicolai Carp

Bina Persaud

Bina Persaud

Jason Colero

Jason Colero

Dr. Chasidy Karpiuk

Dr. Chasidy Karpiuk

Calum Ramsay

Calum Ramsay

Frequently Asked Questions

You deserve more from therapy.