I provide mental skills training services to athletes and performers of all ages and experience levels. By combining knowledge, skills, and expertise from exercise science and psychology, my mission is to provide cutting edge, comprehensive, and individualized mental skills services through consultation, formal workshops, and individual consultations.

With each program/intervention, I will work closely with you to develop individualized programs and interventions that address your specific needs. Because I know that performances occur in the context of the individuals’ lives, I consider these broader factors whenever I plan a mental skills consultation. For example, an athlete’s performance can be influenced not only by physical (e.g., strength, speed) or technical (e.g., motor skills) factors, but also by personal (e.g., relationships, job stress) factors. By examining these factors and all the other ways in which your performance might be affected, I can assist you in reaching your potential in all areas of your life.

In all cases, I begin consultation with an assessment (usually conducted via Zoom) to learn about your needs and current situation. The meeting is designed to establish a trusting, positive consulting relationship so that I can best assess your performance and how I may be able to help. I also may have you complete performance questionnaires so that I may better understand your approach to competition and help you identify the areas in which you can improve. With your permission, I may observe you at practice/competition (when possible), or talk with other individuals (e.g., athletic trainers, coaches, parents, coworkers) who have information that may shed some light on your current performances.

Following the assessment, I will provide you with an individualized plan where I will detail how I can assist you in achieving your performance goals. Throughout this process, I work collaboratively with you, drawing on your strengths as well as your knowledge of yourself and your performance abilities. Through this open collaboration, I establish challenging, but realistic goals that help you make the necessary changes to be more satisfied in life and successful in your performance arena.

This collaborative, individualized and positive approach underlies all the work I do. Once I have established a training plan, I will continue to work closely with you so you will have the means necessary to develop the mental skills and strategies that will help you attain the desired level of performance excellence. It is important to note that sport psychology services are not a band-aid that create overnight success. Work is involved on your behalf to develop and utilize each skill effectively. Throughout the consultation process, I will monitor your progress and help you make adjustments as necessary putting you in position to reach your goals.

I am not a licensed psychologist, I am a mental skills consultant. As such, I work only to enhance your performance. Should you require psychological assessment or services beyond my standard of care, I will provide appropriate referrals to do so.

Stacey Gaines, Ph.D. has worked as a mental skills training consultant since 2000. She has primarily worked in the sport context, providing life and mental skills training to youth, high school, college, and professional athletes, teams, coaches, and parents. She has also worked with other performers such as musicians, baton twirlers, color guard, marching bands, CrossFit athletes, and business organizations. Her personal experiences in sport and music, both as an athlete/musician and a coach/teacher, partnered with her education have provided her with a unique perspective in helping performers excel within their performance arena.

Notable previous experiences in consulting include:

• Internship with the Colorado Rockies
• Associate Mental Skills Consultant with the Boilermaker Sport and Performance Psychology Services (Purdue University)
• Javelina Performance Psychology Services (Texas A&M University-Kingsville)
• Mental Edge Elite Training Services (Corpus Christi, TX)