Hi, I am Taylor.
I am a non-clinical performance psychology consultant with a PhD in Educational Psychology, specializing in psychosocial aspects of sport and exercise. My goal is to join forces with you (or your team) to help you develop your performance edge. Whether you have reached a low point in your career or are seeking to gain an advantage over competition, I hope to partner with you as you traverse your path to success. My diverse and unique combination of education, experience, research, and training allow me to integrate mental skill training for high performance with your core values and strengths, cultivating lasting change. I offer a range of non-clinical services to individuals and groups, including but not limited to the following:
Mental skills training for performance enhancement
Focus/concentration
Goal setting and evaluation
Time management
Imagery and visualization
Effective communication skills
Stress management
Leadership development
Productivity and time management
experience
Throughout my education and practical experiences I have always specialized in sport and exercise psychology, while learning from different schools of thought to diversify my knowledge and experiences. I graduated from Texas Christian University with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology (specializing in sport psychology) and from the University of Missouri with a master’s degree in counseling (specializing in sport and exercise psychology).
My research emphasis area is the influence of quiet eye, an attentional focus technique, on performance self-efficacy, self-regulated learning, and mindfulness. Other areas of research interest include integration of sport psychology in injury prevention and rehabilitation processes, perceptions of sport psychology consultants by coaches and other professionals, and influence of sport participation on youth athletes.
I have also taught undergraduate and graduate sport and exercise psychology courses, coordinated graduate professional development, was an adjunct professor for a sociology of sport graduate course, and currently provide guest lecture opportunities on a number of performance psychology topics.
I have experience working with athletes and performers at all levels of competition, such as: youth sports, elite gymnastics, collegiate football and wrestling, ROTC, world long drive, dirt track racing, and professional golf.
PublicationS
APTA Independent Study Course 30.3.4: Mental Techniques for Performance
This work is part of the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Independent Study Course’s 6-part series titled: Special Topics: Enhancing Performance Using a Mind, Body, Metric Approach. This course discusses the biopsychosocial aspects associated with injury rehabilitation. The content also highlights verbal and non-verbal communication skills and mental skills and strategies used to enhance injury rehabilitation. Emphasis is also placed on the use of the advantages presented by use of an inter-professional team, including mental performance services, into the injury recovery process.
Routledge Handbook of Mental Health in Elite Sport, Chapter 23: Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation
This chapter is a part of the Routledge Handbook of Mental Health in Elite Sport. This chapter describes the holistic biopsychosocial intervention and observation interprofessional care team approach to injury prevention and rehabilitation for successful outcomes.
My Approach
First and foremost, I believe the most important element of a good non-clinical performance psychological consultation is a good relationship and partnership between us. Therefore, I welcome any questions, concerns, or dissatisfactions you may have about our work together at any time.
I employ an acceptance and commitment therapy, and mindful approach. What that means is working with me will involve attending to current concerns in your performance, as well as how those concerns developed in the first place, while examining your values and goals for performance and well-being. I believe working to align your values and actions is often essential in truly being able to make meaningful and lasting change.
Consulting services are available to individuals and groups across the globe through in-person and remote sessions! Contact me for your free, 15-minute consultation to learn more about my approach and non-clinical services and see if we might be a good fit.
Acceptance and commitment Therapy
An approach that uses acceptance, mindfulness, and commitment and behavior change processes to:
Promote present moment awareness
Learn to step back and observe thinking so one can respond effectively
Acceptance of thoughts and feelings
Rely on values to inspire, guide, and motivate actions
Live congruently with values and choosing to act based on values
Learn to observe self without judging or labeling
Mindfulness
The ability to pay attention to the present moment with acceptance, openness, and curiosity.
Biopsychosocial perspective
A holistic approach to consulting that acknowledges and explores interconnections between biological, psychological, and social factors, and the influence these have on overall performance and well-being. Viewing an individual as a whole person increases the likelihood of having a positive partnership and performance outcomes during the consultation process by taking into consideration the entire person.
