Apex Sport Psychology Services Home Page

Comprehensive Sport Psychology Services for Athletes at All Levels

What is Sport Psychology?

Sport Psychology is the application of psychological principles and techniques to assist athletes in developing fundamental athletic skills and enhancing performance in competitive situations. Sport psychologists help athletes prevent problems and overcome difficulties when they occur. In this way, sport psychologists help athletes increase their chances of achieving peak performances. Sport psychologists are also involved in assisting athletes in their personal growth and development. Sport psychologists assist coaches in their approaches to working with individual athletes and groups of athletes as well as helping improve athletes' motivation.

Peak Performance Experiences

Many athletes who achieve peak performances report common experiences while in “The Zone;” including:

Effortless Performance
Automatic Performance
Fearless About Failure
Perceptual Slowing of Time
Mentally and Physically Relaxed

Extraordinary Awareness
Extraordinary Concentration
Heightened Confidence and Optimism
Heightened Energy
Perception of Complete Control

Problems Athletes Encounter

Inconsistent Performance
Worry/Anxiety About Performance
Performing Below Ability (Choking)
Making Mental Mistakes

Difficulty with Attention & Concentration
Coping with Injury & Rehabilitation
Coping with Loss
Coping with Personal Problems

Why Sport Psychology?

The application of sport psychology techniques can aid in the acquisition, development, and performance of fundamental athletic skills. By working on improving performance and consistency in all facets of athletics, athletes derive greater enjoyment of their sport and increase their chances of experiencing peak performances. For athletes experiencing performance difficulties, sport psychology interventions in consultation with coaches can help to resolve difficulties and get the athlete back on track. Sport psychology techniques can be used with individuals or small groups.

Sport Psychology Techniques & Interventions

Relaxation Training
Imagery Training & Guided Imagery
Mental Rehearsal
Arousal & Anxiety Management
Goal Setting

Confidence Building
Cognitive Restructuring
Motivation Enhancement
Pre-Competition Planning
Stress Management

Sports

The following is a partial list of sports where sport psychology techniques have been applied.

Golf	Tennis	Baseball	Basketball	Football
Track & Field	Cross Country	Swimming	Diving	Figure Skating
Gymnastics	Softball	Fencing	Biathlon	Hockey

Services Available

Individual Sport Psychology Training
Small Group Sport Psychology Training
Consulting
Introductory Seminars
Workshop Presentations

About Dr. Canivez

Gary L. Canivez, Ph.D. is Professor of Psychology at Eastern Illinois University. He earned his M.S.Ed. and Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale where he provided sport psychology and counseling services for local high school and collegiate athletes while in training. Since 1995 Dr. Canivez has served as Sport Psychologist and Consultant for Eastern Illinois University Intercollegiate Athletics providing comprehensive team and individualized sport psychology services. In consultation with head coaches, Dr. Canivez develops sport specific preventative programs to develop mental and physical skills to give athletes a competitive edge. Individual services are provided to athletes seeking additional assistance and training. He has provided training, support, and consultation for the men's and women’s Tennis, women's Softball, men's and women's Basketball, men's and women’s Track and Cross Country, Wrestling, and the men's and women's Golf teams. Dr. Canivez has also provided sport psychology training at summer sport camps and has also worked with male and female figure skaters, golfers, baseball, and soccer players. Dr. Canivez established Apex Sport Psychology Services in 1995 to assist athletes and coaches in gaining a competitive edge. Among the eliete athletes Dr. Canivez has trained is Kyle O'Brien, Hansons-Brooks Team Member since 2003 and member of the 2007 U.S.A. Track & Field team, who represented the U.S.A. in the marathon at the 2007 World Track and Field Championships in Osaka, Japan. Dr. Canivez also provided sport psychology training and services to Trent Hoerr, 2007 All-American Cross Country runner at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

For more information on how Dr. Canivez may help you or your team gain a competitive edge, call or write:

Apex Sport Psychology Services
P.O. Box 2206
Champaign, IL 61825

Phone: (217) 512-9662