Laboratory for Sport Psychology & Performance Excellence (LSPPE) alum Dr. Carly Wahl recently received her certification as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC). By obtaining CMPC status, Dr. Wahl has met the highest standards of professional practice, which include 400 hours of direct client contact, intensive mentored applied experience, and passing a certification exam. CMPCs work with diverse performing populations including youth athletes, elite athletes, and high-risk occupations (e.g., military, firefighters, police). Dr. Wahl currently serves athletes in the community with her mental performance work while working as an Assistant Professor of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation at Eastern Illinois University (Charleston, IL).
Dr. Wahl shared the following advice for aspiring CMPCs:
“Take advantage of every opportunity you can to learn and gain experience in the field of sport, exercise, and performance psychology. This doesn’t mean just accepting the opportunities presented to you, it means going above and beyond to read literature, asking your mentor applied questions (hypothetical and real), engaging in meaningful conversations with peers and other members in the field, and offering workshops for gratis to build connections and gain experience. Also, broaden your consulting horizons by working with a variety of clients, both in age and performance domains. Branch out from the sports you may have personally participated in to learn more about new sports or other areas of performance psychology (e.g., tactical populations, music, theatre, etc.). This will make you a versatile consultant and opens doors in the future for other opportunities.”
To learn more about CMPC or to find a CMPC near you: