Sports Psychology
Elevate your Game.
Train your Brain.
ABOUT
Elite Mindset Sports Psychology is a practice focused on helping individuals and teams achieve THEIR BEST. Each individual is unique. There is no one path, one method, one generic formula, to high performance. Becoming ELITE is a journey of self-discovery. What is your personal philosophy? What motivates you? Who do you want to be, and what will it take to get there? What are potential obstacles in your way?
Physical ability can take an athlete only so far in the world of sports. At the collegiate, olympic, and professional levels of competition, the reality is this: EVERYONE IS PHYSICALLY TALENTED. What separates the talented athlete from those who are the best in the world at what they do, those who succeed in high stakes, often hostile environments? IT COMES DOWN TO MINDSET. Most human beings tend to "crack" when under intense pressure. Doubt creeps in, followed by fear. Then overthinking, hesitation, and poor performance. Athletes who invest in training their minds feel prepared to face any challenge - they are far more likely to have the confidence and poise to perform at their best regardless of circumstances.
Elite performers are not born exceptional - they BECOME EXCEPTIONAL by developing an ELITE MINDSET. What are YOU doing to train your mind?
DR. JULIE AMATO
Sports Psychologist
CEO
Dr. Julie is a licensed clinical and sports psychologist working with high-level athletes across the country on developing an Elite Mindset - the skills and practices necessary to overcome obstacles and push the boundaries of one's potential. A former Division I basketball player, Dr. Julie has a unique understanding of the pressures and demands of competing in a high-stakes environment. In other words, she "gets it." She enjoys teaching athletes mental strategies and techniques to get "unstuck," or simply to gain a competitive edge, so that they can perform at their best. Dr. Julie welcomes opportunities to work with individuals and organizations that recognize the importance of training the mind to achieve optimal performance.
Dr. Julie is recognized nationally as an expert in the field of sports psychology. She has been a presenter at the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) National Convention, and has been a regular contributor on the topic of sports psychology on ESPN radio as well as several podcasts. Her clients include nationally ranked NCAA sports programs, high school and NCAA All-Americans, Olympians, and professional athletes.
On a personal level, Dr. Julie has been a sports fanatic since early childhood. A four-sport athlete in high school, she played one year of professional basketball after college before retiring from sports in 2000 to pursue her doctoral degree. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Brown University in 1999, and her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Virginia in 2005. She completed a pre-doctoral internship at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, and a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Massachusetts School of Medicine. She is a member of the American Psychological Association and is licensed to practice psychology in several states.
Dr. Julie resides in Pennsylvania, and enjoys biking, golfing, and playing and watching sports of all kinds; traveling; hanging with good friends and family; and experiencing life's adventures, big and small.
SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY SERVICES
Dr. Julie provides individual sports psychology sessions for coaches and athletes, team consulting sessions, keynote speaking, and training for groups such as sports medicine staff, coaching staff, and athletic administration. Services are described in more detail below. Contact Dr. Julie to develop a customized consulting package to fit your budget and needs.
THOUGHTS ON WORKING WITH DR. JULIE
“[Amato] has always been a resource, but now I’m really locking into it and making it as if I was going to the gym. Like, this is just as important as me going up and getting shots.”
The insights she gleans from her sessions with Amato transcend basketball. “We talk about a lot of different stuff,” she adds, “just handling situations and things thrown at me. I’m definitely able to apply that to my life outside of basketball.”
ARIKE OGUNBOWALE
WNBA Guard #24,
Dallas Wings
FAQS
Your Questions Answered
WHY HIRE A SPORTS PSYCHOLOGIST?
Athletes at the professional and Olympic levels have long understood the importance of training the mind as well as the body to prepare for competition. However, the rest of the sports community has been reluctant to embrace mental training, likely due to a common misconception that working with a sports psychologist implies something is "wrong." This flawed logic has historically been a barrier to athletes receiving sports psychology services.
Put another way: We hire strength and conditioning coaches not because the athletes are weak or injured, but to proactively build muscle, speed and endurance to optimize performance and prevent injury. We hire nutritionists not because the athletes are overweight or unhealthy, but to proactively provide education on what particular foods, supplements, and habits are optimal for performance. Similarly, we hire sports psychologists not because the athletes suffer from a mental illness, but to train the brain and develop mental skills so the athlete can perform under intense and sometimes hostile conditions.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CLINICAL SPORTS PSYCHOLOGIST AND A MENTAL SKILLS COACH OR SPORTS CONSULTANT?
A clinical psychologist must complete a doctorate degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in clinical psychology, a pre-doctoral internship, and 1-2 years of professional experience in order to become licensed to practice. Clinical psychologists have education and training that qualifies them to recognize, diagnose, and treat mental illness. Dr. Julie is a licensed clinical psychologist, with specialized experience and expertise in performance psychology and working with athletes, which is why she is referred to as a sports psychologist, or clinical sports psychologist.
A mental skills coach or sports consultant is not required to have a doctoral degree in psychology. These individuals may have training or expertise in teaching performance strategies to athletes, but they are not psychologists.
WHAT IS THE COST FOR SERVICES?
Contact Dr. Julie to customize a package that fits your needs and budget. Dr. Julie does not participate with any health insurance network. The payment structure is fee for service.
CONTACT
Contact Dr. Julie to discuss services or to schedule a session.