If you've stumbled upon Project E and are an aspiring mental performance coach wanting to learn more about starting your own private practice, you're in the right spot! The best place to begin is by learning about the field and the profession. This ensures that you're set up for success in terms of developing professional expertise.

Mental performance coaching is a profession within the field of sport and performance psychology. Mental performance coaches (MPCs) help people develop and utilize mental, life, and self-regulatory skills within the context of sport, exercise, tactical, performing arts, and/or business domains in order to support and enhance their performance, personal development, and well-being. In order to do so, MPCs initially obtain a master’s or doctoral degree in sport science, psychology, or a closely related field.

Many MPCs obtain the Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) credential, which is the only nationally accredited mental performance credential in North America. Holding this credential demonstrates they have met the highest standards of professional practice, including completing educational and mentored applied experience requirements, successfully passing a certification exam, agreeing to adhere to ethical principles and standards, and committing to ongoing professional development.

MPCs are not necessarily “sport psychologists.” In order to use the title “psychologist,” an individual must be a licensed psychologist; requirements for licensure are determined by state, provincial, and/or territorial licensing boards. Rather, non-licensed MPCs typically support individuals, groups, and teams who are often doing well in their personal lives but could benefit from additional support and skill building in their performance domain.