What is performance psychology?
Performance psychology applies psychological principles to help people perform consistently at their peak potential. While it’s often associated with elite athletes and sports, its tools and techniques are powerful for anyone facing anxiety during high-pressure situations. It can be helpful for many different environments, including the classroom, the boardroom, and on the field.
Therapy can significantly improve your performance by providing the tools to enhance your focus, set effective goals, and develop robust routines. It can also help with reducing anxiety and stress, helping you to manage performance anxiety, build confidence and maintain emotional regulation under pressure.
How performance psychology can be helpful for neurodivergent individuals
Find your flow state
Performance psychology techniques can help you to initiate and sustain focus, allowing ADHDers to find their flow state or "lock in" to deep, hyper-focused attention.
Prepare for exams
Therapy can provide structured, predictable routines and mental preparation strategies to reduce anxiety and sensory overload around school and exams.
Excel in sports/competitive environments
For athletes, including aspiring special olympians, performance techniques can help build self-esteem, improve coordination under stress, and teach you how to manage emotions in a competitive environment.
Manage general anxiety
Performance psychology addresses various anxieties that specifically affect neurodevelopmental conditions, such as social anxiety, anticipatory stress, and perfectionism, which can be amplified by differences in executive function or sensory processing.
Who should I see for performance psychology at Scope?
Max Stoneman is passionate about sports, fitness, performance psychology, and neuro-affirming care. He has a strong understanding of how neurodevelopmental differences impact daily function, performance and mental health. Max's approach is person-centered and strength-based, meaning he works with your inherent skills and strengths, not against them.
Max also offers therapy and support for:
- Anxiety, depression and stress, particularly in the context of neurodevelopmental conditions
- Challenges associated with autism and ADHD
- Social and emotional difficulties including bullying and reduced self-esteem
- Daily living skills for NDIS participants
- Person-environment mismatch such as school refusal and school can’t
- Caregiver relationships with neurodivergent individuals
- Life transitions, such as school graduation and entering the workforce
Book performance therapy today
Are you or your loved one interested in exploring performance therapy?
Call (07) 3162 8448, email [email protected] or click below to book your first appointment with Max.