Stronger Mind, Better Game – Sports Counselor Winter Park
Competition in sports is fiercer than ever.
The clock is ticking. You need to score. All eyes on you. The pressure is mounting. Any person can break under these circumstances. It’s not called weak, it’s called being human.
And as humans, each one of us deserves support, even athletes.
This is why Total Life Counseling provides players with a much-needed mental break. We listen empathically to learn about your struggles and tell you how you can manage stress on and off the field or court.
If you have been struggling emotionally and mentally, this is your sign to get in touch with us.

“I have been to 20 sports psychology experts in the area and this was the most meaningful session by far.”
— Pro Golfer Client of TLC
How Does Total Life Counseling Boost Mental Performance for Athletes?
Elite performance isn’t just about talent or physical strength—it’s about mental mastery.
The difference between good and great often comes down to focus, resilience, and handling pressure when it matters most. Yet, too many athletes train their bodies relentlessly while overlooking the power of their minds.
That’s where mental skills training comes in. Your thoughts, emotions, and physical responses are all connected, influencing everything from confidence to reaction time. By understanding and controlling this connection, you can break through mental barriers, stay in the zone, and consistently perform at your peak.
At Total Life Counseling, we help athletes sharpen their focus, build resilience, and take their game to the next level—on and off the field. The strongest athletes train their minds. Are you ready?
Visualization
Visualization is an effective mental tool widely used by athletes around the world. This technique involves creating a mental image or scenario about a specific event – it could be winning a race, succeeding in making a shot, or even overcoming a challenging moment during a match.
By continuously rehearsing these mental imagery, athletes can build their confidence, enhance their motivation and effectively prepare themselves for that big event.
At Winter Park’s Athletic therapy Winter Park, we guide athletes in harnessing the power of visualization, subsequently transforming their mental images into reality.
Positive self-talk
Another key technique used at Total Life Counseling for Athletic counseling Winter Park is Positive Self-Talk.
This is a method where athletes are taught to use positive affirmations and phrases to motivate themselves, build their confidence, eliminate negative thoughts, or simply to stay focused during their game or training.
Athletes are coached to utilize this tool during practice sessions, before and during competitions, and even during times of injuries or setbacks.
These optimistic and powerful verbal cues can significantly influence an athlete’s attitude and performance, steering them towards their dream of achieving their full potential.
Breathing exercises
Breathing exercises form a vital part of our mental performance training regimen for athletic coaching Winter Park.
Proper stress management and relaxation techniques, including mindfulness and deep breathing methods, can help athletes manage their nerves, improve focus, and deliver incredible performances under pressure.
These exercises not only help manage an athlete’s physical response to stress but also contribute to improving their mental clarity. With regular practice, athletes can master their mind-body connection, thereby gaining a greater control over their reactions in high-pressure situations.
Choosing the right sports psychologist requires more than checking qualifications—it’s about experience, approach, and alignment with your goals. At Winter Park Sports Counseling, we prioritize a personalized, comprehensive approach, ensuring each athlete’s unique needs remain our top focus.
Credentials and experience
To choose the right Sports Psychologist or Counselor, it’s imperative to consider their credentials and experience. Make sure they hold appropriate degrees and certifications in Sports Psychology and related fields, and have ample expertise working with athletes.
- They should be experienced in handling mental issues specific to sports (for example, performance anxiety, confidence crisis, coping with injuries).
- Proven ability to improve the athletes’ mental fitness.
- A strong record of working with athletes from diverse backgrounds and varying skill levels.
- Positive testimonials from previous clients.
- Up-to-date with the latest research and trends in sports psychology.
Personalized approach
The best sports counseling isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s tailored to each athlete’s unique strengths, challenges, and goals. A great counselor personalizes their approach to help you break through mental barriers and perform at your best.
- Personalized Approach – Strategies designed to fit your individual needs.
- Deep Understanding – A counselor who truly gets you beyond just your sport.
- Goal Assessment – Clear objectives to guide your growth.
- Mental Health Evaluation – Identifying and addressing stressors and fears.
- Customized Action Plan – A roadmap for long-term success.
The right support can make all the difference—choose a counselor who helps you thrive.
Sports Counseling Services Offered at Total Life Counseling
Success in sports isn’t just about physical ability—it’s about having the right mindset. Athletes face intense pressure, setbacks, and mental blocks that can hold them back from performing at their best. That’s where the right support makes all the difference.
At Total Life Counseling, our expert counselors use proven, research-backed strategies to help athletes build mental resilience, sharpen focus, and push past challenges.
Whether you’re struggling with confidence, performance anxiety, or staying motivated, we provide the tools you need to thrive—not just in your sport, but in life.
Our Services Include:
- Mental Performance Coaching – Strengthen focus, confidence, and mental toughness to enhance game-day performance.
- Overcoming Performance Anxiety – Develop techniques to manage stress, fear of failure, and pre-game nerves.
- Confidence & Motivation Building – Boost self-belief and maintain motivation through setbacks and challenges.
- Injury Recovery Support – Navigate the mental and emotional aspects of injury rehabilitation, including physical therapy, to return stronger.
- Burnout Prevention & Stress Management – Maintain a healthy balance to prevent exhaustion and maintain passion for your sport.
- Team & Leadership Development – Improve communication, teamwork, and leadership skills for a stronger team dynamic.
- Career Transition & Life After Sports – Support for athletes transitioning out of competition, helping them find purpose beyond sports.
At Total Life Counseling, we believe that mental fitness is just as important as physical training. Our holistic approach empowers athletes to break through barriers and perform at their best—both in sports and life.
Want to take your mental game to the next level? Contact us today!
Why Choose Total Life Counseling For Sports?
When it comes to sports counseling, Total Life Counseling stands out with its robust program that helps athletes elevate their sports performance.
We have assembled a highly qualified team of experts in various facets of sports science to provide support for our athletes, coaches, and even parents striving for excellence in sports. Our holistic approach inspires the enjoyment of sports and empowers athletes to realize their full potential.
By incorporating new research, we stay at the forefront of sports science. Our one-on-one counseling sessions ensure that each athlete receives personalized attention targeted at empowering them to overcome their mental hurdles.
Also, our sports counseling program prides itself in having clear lines of communication with parents and coaches, providing them ample guidance to effectively support their athletes.
Choose Total Life Counseling – because we are not just about the sports, we’re all about the care! Now’s the best time to book an appointment.
Testimonials
A Few Kind Words From Satisfied Clients
Why Total Life Counseling?
Our counselors are trained, certified, and highly qualified
Here are some of the athletic organizations and institutions our experts have provided consulting services to:
Licensed Counselors & Therapists
Meet Our Team of Certified & Experienced Professionals
Total Life Counseling Center consists of Licensed Counselors, Masters Level Therapists, Espanol Counselors, Licensed Mental Health Counselors, Business Coaches, Image Enhancement Coaches who provide counseling for emotional, mental, physical and spiritual care including marriage, individual, family, substance abuse and more. Our team of certified and experienced professionals, dedicated to serving a comprehensive spectrum of mental health and relationship issues such as couples, women and men’s issues, children and teens with oppositional defiance, video game addiction, ADHD, ASD, anxiety, depression, and trauma survivors, is here to support and guide you through your journey towards healing and navigating life transitions. This approach not only enhances the effectiveness of the counseling provided but also builds trust within the community and among potential clients, who may be seeking support.
We offer next level counselors specialized in areas such as relationships, video game & drug/alcohol addictions, abuse, trauma, depression, and ADHD. Our Therapists are EMDR (eye movement desensitization) trauma therapy trained, cognitive behavioral therapy, specialize in ADHD and Oppositional Defiant Children, and are also professional Gottman method marriage couples counselors to give the best results to couples and to provide the best comprehensive spectrum of mental health and relationship care for our clients.
Struggling with Anger? We offer 8 hour anger management group therapy!
Discounted Rates and the president of Total Life Counseling Center Jim West does not want to turn people away and we have counselors at various levels of experience at a discounted rate that are trained by our next level counselors!
Jim West
MA, LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR, national certified counselor
President, Counselor, Guest Speaker, Author, Social Skills, ADHD, ODD, ASD, children, teens, and more!
Dana West
MSW, Licensed clinical social worker
Vice President, Counselor, Guest Speaker, Addictions, Trauma, Couples, Abuse, and more!
Mathew Martin
MS, LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR
Counselor, Coach, Guest Speaker, Marriage, Individual Males, Substance Abuse and more!
Dr. Jada Jackson
Ed.D, LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR, NATIONAL CERTIFIED COUNSELOR
Counselor, Coach, Guest Speaker, National TV Host, Self-Esteem, Sports Therapy, Teens, Couples and more!
Lyris Steuber
MS, licesned marriage & family therapist
Counselor, Coach, Marriage & Family, Play Therapy, Divorce, Adolescent and more!
Valerie Ware
Psychologist and Behavioral Specialist
Psychological Evaluator, Autism, ADHD, Learning Disabilities, Anxiety, Gifted, Career Pathways, and emotional assessments.
Gemima McMahon
MA, LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR
Licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in Women’s issues, Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Cutting, Couples, Children and Teenagers and more!
Pedro Michael Valdez IV
MA, LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR
Licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in personality disorders, trauma, depression, and anxiety for individuals, families, and couples.
Audrey DeBruler
MS, LMHC, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Children, Adolescents, Young Adults, Faith Based Counseling, Trauma Recovery, Anxiety and more!
David Duany
MA, LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR
Licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in ADHD, Social Skills, and Anger Management counseling for children, young adults, and families.
Katherine Waldheim
MS, Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern
Trauma, anxiety, couples counseling, and child & adolescent counseling services and more!
Jaimie Homan
MSW, Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern
Trauma, EMDR, adoption, attachment, foster care support, anxiety, couples counseling, and child & teen counseling services and more!
Sarah Dornas Albuquerque
BS, Mental Health Counseling Student Intern
Anxiety, Depression, Children, Teens, Young Adults and Adult Counseling
Total Life Blog
Sports Counseling Articles and Tips From TLC Therapists
Winter Park Office Location
Our Total Life Counseling Center Winter Park Orlando location is conveniently located about a mile off I-4 and close to Winter Park Village serving Altamonte Springs, Maitland, College Park and Downtown Orlando. Our office provides counseling for children, adolescents, and adults treating various mental health concerns, relationships, domestic violence, abuse, addictions and more.
Total Life Counseling Winter Park
Winter Park Executive Center
1950 Lee Road Suite 115
Winter Park, FL 32789
Frequently Asked Questions
Can sports psychology benefit athletes at all levels?
Yes, irrespective of the level of sporting involvement, sports psychology can help athletes improve their mental strength, enhance focus, manage stress more effectively, and achieve their personal best in the sporting arena.
How long does it take to see results from sports psychology training?
The timeline for seeing results varies widely based upon individual goals, challenges and consistency. However, most athletes start noticing changes in their mental resilience and performance within a few weeks of dedicated sports psychology training.
Is it only for mental toughness, or does it also cover emotional well-being?
Sports psychology is not just about developing mental toughness. It also focuses on improving the overall emotional well-being of athletes. This balancing act allows athletes to not only perform better but also to live healthier, more fulfilling lives off the field.
Can it help retired athletes?
Absolutely, sports counseling can definitely assist retired athletes. It provides them with tools to adapt to life after sports, assists with identity transitions, and helps them maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle post-retirement.
Sports psychology goes beyond the sporting field – it’s about achieving excellence in life!