The following is an excerpt from “Getting Your Head in the Game.” For the full article, click here.
DR. JUSTIN ANDERSON is a licensed sports psychologist and owner of Premier Sport Psychology in Edina. According to Anderson, the sports psychology field is growing and becoming essential for many athletes. “Many players spend so much time on physical conditioning and training, but little on the mental and emotional side of things,” Anderson says. “We give athletes and coaches strategies for focus, relaxation and game play.” The psychologists at Premier Sport help to identify which variables help each client “get in the zone,” and then teach mental skills and drills to encourage their mindsets to go to that place. “If I have to break it down, what we’re doing is helping people and teams thrive from the psychological, behavioral and emotional aspects of being high-functioning performers,” Anderson says.