Is the Person Working With Your Child Actually Qualified?
Not all consultants/coaches are created equal… and knowing the difference could be one of the most important decisions you make for your young athlete.
When your child is struggling with nerves before a big game, losing confidence after a tough loss, or just not performing the way you know they can, it's natural to start looking for help. The field of performance psychology and mental skills coaching has grown fast — and unfortunately, that means the marketplace is crowded with practitioners whose credentials range widely in quality.
So how do you actually find someone qualified to work with your kid?
The first thing to understand is that "sport psychologist" and "mental performance consultant" are not the same thing and that distinction matters.
A licensed sport psychologist holds a doctoral degree, is licensed by the state, and can diagnose and treat mental health conditions. A Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) holds at minimum a master's degree, is certified through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) and specializes in mental performance enhancement, not clinical treatment.
If your child is dealing with anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns, a licensed psychologist is the right fit.
If your child needs help with focus, confidence, motivation, pre-performance routines, or handling competition pressure, a CMPC is the right fit.
What to look for in a Mental Performance Consultant/Coach
When evaluating a professional to work with your young athlete, here are the key things to verify:
They hold a CMPC credential from AASP and/or a state license as a psychologist
Their graduate degree is in sport psychology, counseling, or a related field
They have documented experience working specifically with youth athletes
They can clearly explain what a typical session looks like and what goals look like
They operate with a professional code of ethics and maintain confidentiality
Additional and CRITICAL note: Anyone can call themselves a "mental performance coach" because the title alone is not protected. That's why credentials matter. The CMPC designation from AASP requires a graduate degree, 1500 supervised mentorship hours, a rigorous exam, and ongoing continuing education. That’s why it has become the standard to look for.
Your role as a parent
You don't need to become an expert yourself, but asking smart questions puts you in a position to hire someone who is not only qualified, but also the right fit for the goals you want your child to achieve.
Ask about credentials upfront.
Ask who the consultant/coach has worked with before or is currently working with.
Ask what a typical session focuses on.
Ask what success looks like.
— A qualified professional (and someone who you would probably want to work with) will welcome those questions, not deflect them.
Watch this video for another explanation on understanding the difference between mental performance vs. mental health.
Your child's mental game is worth the investment. Just make sure the person helping your child is genuinely equipped to do so.
