Unlock Peak Performance

Athletic excellence requires more than physical capability. To achieve peak performance, athletes must develop mental skills to silence self-doubt, increase confidence, build resilience in the face of setbacks, overcome mental blocks, and improve concentration and focus.

Sports psychology helps athletes of all levels optimize and enhance performance by using evidence-based modalities like cognitive behavioral therapy and mentalization-based therapy. Both methods apply the key principles of performance psychology and help athletes at any level:

  • Boost confidence and manage negative or anxious emotions

  • Increase concentration and focus

  • Use visualization and imagery skills to combat anxiety and self-doubt

  • Overcome mental barriers

  • Identify potential challenges and plan ahead

  • Execute your strategy well

  • Learn how your mind influences your perception of “difficult” and harness that to your advantage

Sports psychology is effective for athletes at the novice and elite level alike. It’s also helpful for athletes recovering from injury or struggling with a setback. Desert to Peaks has worked with amateur and professional athletes in a diverse array of sport. Most commonly we work with runners, cyclists, triathletes, climbers, golfers, tennis players, and athletes from individual sports. We have worked with athletes to complete their first marathon all the way up to Olympic-level athletes.

Sports Psychology FAQs

  • Sports psychology is a great fit for:

    • Elite athletes looking to perform on the state, national, or international level

    • Amateur athletes looking to achieve a personal best

    • Athletes who feel like they have plateaued

    • Athletes who feel they have consistently underperformed or haven’t reached their potential

    • Athletes returning to sport after injury

    • Athletes who struggle with perfectionism or high levels of anxiety

    • Athletes who struggle with disordered eating

    • Athletes who are losing motivation, joy, or love for their sport

  • Dr. Horn has worked with athletes of all levels and abilities, ranging from elite and professional athletes to dedicated back-of-the-pack athletes. Dr. Horn’s specialized training and breadth of experiences allow her to meet you where you are at and select the most appropriate tools to advance your performance.

    Types of athletes Dr. Horn has worked with include (but are not limited to) runners, mountain athletes, climbers, triathletes, olympic weight lifters, tennis and racquetball players, skiers, skydivers, divers, and cyclists.

  • Yes. Dr. Horn is a certified run coach with numerous years of experience coaching and competing in marathons and ultra marathons. Please see my run coaching page for more details.