Individual Sport Psychology Sessions

One Athlete. One Coach. The Whole Mental Game.

Personalized 1:1 mental performance coaching, matched to your sport — so you compete with focus, confidence, and composure when it counts. In person or online.

What Are Individual Sessions?

Individual sessions at MindBalanceSPORT are one-on-one mental performance coaching, matched to your sport and built on The MBS Approach. You’re paired with a coach who knows your competitive context, starting with a formal assessment and tracking measurable progress from there — building focus, confidence, and composure under pressure. Coaching is led by certified mental performance coaches and overseen by two licensed psychologists, in person in McLean, VA and Plano, TX, or online nationwide.

What's Included in 1:1 Coaching

A coach matched to you — paired by sport, competitive level, and what you’re working on, so you’re not explaining your world from scratch.

The MBS Mindset Assessment — a formal baseline at the start, so your plan is built on where you actually are.

A personalized plan — your sessions target your specific goals, not a one-size template.

Progress you can see — your baseline is revisited so growth is measurable, not just a feeling.

Support that fits your schedule — in person in McLean or Plano, or online nationwide, around training and travel.

What Athletes Work On In 1:1 sessions

Pre-competition nerves

Steadying the mind before big moments instead of tightening up

Performing under pressure

Staying composed when a game, match, or meet is on the line

Losing focus in big games

Attentional control so distractions don't take over

Competitive readiness

Arriving prepared mentally, not just physically

Mental toughness & resilience

Holding steady through slumps, setbacks, and pressure

Refocusing after mistakes

Letting go of the error and getting to the next play

The Five-Stage Framework

Each stage builds on the last, with early skills becoming the foundation for more advanced work just like progressive overload in physical training.

STAGE 01

Coach Match & Consultation

Matched by sport, needs, and location.

STAGE 02

MBS Mindset Assessment

Establishes baselines and focuses the work.

STAGE 03

Skills Training

Personalized visualization, attentional control, self-talk, resilience.

STAGE 04

Integration into Sport

Skills learned in-session are tested in competitive environments. Structured debriefs inform what is working and what needs refinement.

STAGE 05

Optimization & Refinement

Continuous feedback loop to optimize mental skills and implement additional protocols. Later sessions address layers of challenge that emerge as foundational skills develop.

Training Pathways

Structured packages to support different levels of commitment from targeted intervention to comprehensive transformation.

Performance Package

6 Sessions + Mindset Assessment

Targeted intervention on a specific challenge, such as pre-competition anxiety, concentration, or confidence under pressure.

Ideal for athletes with a defined, near-term performance goal.

Mastery Package

12 Sessions + Mindset Assessment

Complete five-stage approach for athletes committed to building a complete psychological skills repertoire.

Designed for athletes committed to comprehensive mental performance transformation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What one-on-one mental performance coaching looks like for your athlete.

What happens in your first session with MindBalanceSPORT?

In your first session, your mental performance coach walks through your MBS Mindset Assessment results, introduces The MBS Approach, and begins goal-setting with you. You’ll leave with a clear objective for your mental performance work and the specific steps you’ll take toward it.

How long does it take to see results from mental performance coaching?

Many athletes notice a shift in how they mentally approach pressure, setbacks, and focus by around the third or fourth session, as new habits begin to take hold. Results vary by individual, and sustained improvement comes from continued practice in competition — at MindBalanceSPORT we support progress rather than guaranteeing specific outcomes.

Can mental performance coaching help an athlete who loses focus or consistency during competition?

Yes — focus and consistency are core to what we train. Through attentional-control work, pre-competition routines, and reset techniques for after mistakes, our MindBalanceSPORT coaches help athletes hold their focus under pressure and perform closer to their potential more consistently, with progress tracked from a baseline Mindset Assessment.

Can it help an athlete who "chokes" or gets in their head under pressure?

Yes. Getting stuck in your head, tightening up, or under-performing when it matters is one of the most common reasons athletes come to us. At MindBalanceSPORT we use self-talk restructuring, arousal regulation, and attentional-focus tools so athletes can quiet the noise and execute when the stakes are high — skills we build and rehearse, not one-time fixes.

Does MindBalanceSPORT work with my athlete's sport?

Yes — we work with athletes across a wide range of sports and match each athlete to a coach by sport, need, and competitive level. The mental skills we coach — focus, visualization, stress regulation, and composure — generalize across sports, and our team’s own competitive backgrounds span sports including basketball, baseball, volleyball, and football. Tell us your athlete’s sport when you reach out and we’ll match accordingly.

Do you offer virtual (online) mental performance coaching?

Yes. MindBalanceSPORT offers secure, HIPAA-compliant virtual mental performance coaching for athletes across the country, alongside in-person sessions in McLean, VA and Plano, TX. Our virtual coaching follows the same MBS Approach as in person, which makes it a strong fit for athletes with demanding training and travel schedules.

How long does a typical program last?

Program length depends on your goals. Our Performance Package (6 sessions plus the MBS Mindset Assessment) targets a specific, near-term challenge, while our Mastery Package (12 sessions plus the assessment) delivers the complete five-stage MBS Approach for comprehensive development. Many MindBalanceSPORT athletes continue with periodic check-ins afterward.

Will mental performance coaching conflict with what my athlete's current coach teaches?

No — it complements a coach’s work rather than replacing it. We help athletes actually apply what their sport coaches teach when it matters most, by strengthening focus, composure, and confidence in competition. Many coaches encourage their athletes to work with a mental performance coach, and MindBalanceSPORT works as a complement to an athlete’s existing coaching, medical, and training support.

How do you match my athlete with a coach?

Matching is the first stage of The MBS Approach. We pair each athlete with a coach whose background fits their sport, goals, and competitive context, so the work starts from real understanding rather than a cold start.

How do we get started?

Schedule a consultation or start with the MBS Mindset Assessment. Reach us by phone or email, or through the form on the site, and we’ll match your athlete with the right coach.

5.0 Star Average Rating

Real Athletes. Real Words.

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 30 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   hank rochette 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I decided to work with a mental performance coach because I struggled with self-doubt around my race-day performance. I wanted to understand where those doubts came from and learn how to show up with greater confidence, focus, and certainty. Working with Brady has been a game changer. Through our work together, I now approach races feeling more relaxed, confident, and focused. Some of the most valuable tools I've developed include creating an alter ego for race day, understanding the difference between my internal and external scoreboards, and developing my personal pain pledge. These strategies have helped me perform with a stronger mindset and enjoy the process more. If you're looking to show up to your event, game, or race with greater confidence, certainty, and mental resilience, I highly recommend working with a mental performance coach—and Brady has been an outstanding guide throughout that journey.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Ella Connor 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I found my time at MindbalanceSPORT SUPER helpful. I improved a lot with my confidence in my own play and working on taking steps to reset after mistakes and in between points. This helped me achieve a lot more than I thought I would be able to. We were also able to create some impactful morning routines with meditation and mindfulness. I would highly recommend!!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Nancy Yasalonis 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. What a great experience! Recently we had Brady Dinnsen work with our volleyball team to discuss various aspects of mental toughness. Some of the topics that were super helpful were Self-talk, Confidence, Next point mentality and Finishing. Brady would be an asset to any team looking to improve in these areas.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Vicki Anagnostopoulos 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This practice is doing amazing things for young athletes. I have had a top notch experience collaborating with providers at Mind Balance Sport. As a psychologist who does a lot of the clinical work with student athletes, the added component of mental performance coaching really catalyzes growth and well-being. I highly recommend.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Kristin Hume 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I am a marathon runner with some big goals for myself. In my last three marathons, I’ve struggled with some serious mental blockers in the later miles, and I’ve disappointed myself. In just 3 sessions so far, Paula has shown me how much my mental game is slowing me down. She’s armed me with actionable strategies to tackle my mental demons so that I can achieve what I think I am capable of. More than that, she’s helped me recover my “why” so that I can find joy in running again. She has been life changing. I am a 9x marathoner, yet I didn’t realize how much our mindset can shape our running experience, and how critical it is to train our brains along with our bodies. She’s getting me ready to take on my second Boston marathon this spring, and I can’t wait!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jacey Spratt 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My daughter (now 13) is a highly motivated and dedicated competitive gymnast who currently changed 16 hours a week. We hired Paula Castro a couple of years ago to work with her, as she was struggling with the stress/expectations of meets as well as some of the dynamics in the gym. Paula was a godsend; she helped make competitions more enjoyable/less stressful for her. She also provided useful tools and strategies that despite her young age, really resonated with her. My daughter attributes her gymnastics advancement in large part due to her work with Paula. We could not recommend her more highly and hope to work with her again in the future.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Lauren Woolbert 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My daughter and I loved working with Paula! I was worried that my kid may be too young, but it was so helpful to really find what the sport means to my daughter. And now we have several tools we can use in different situations to help re-focus and strengthen her mental game. We will definitely be calling her back if and when we hit an inevitable rough patch!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Josh Notes 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It has been great to use their guidance, tools and support to help our pre-teen athlete with mental focus and emotional regulation during competition.

Start 1:1 with MindBalanceSPORT

Tell us your sport and what you're working on, and we'll match you with a coach and recommend the right pathway. We train the other half of the athlete — let's get started.

We are a private-pay practice and do not bill insurance. Some clients may receive out-of-network reimbursement when sessions qualify under an existing mental health diagnosis. Reimbursement is not guaranteed.