Sports Performance Counselling in OX4
I am dedicated to making therapy feel more accessible and less scary. I know it can be difficult to make that first step and to move forward and learn to trust a therapist. I try to work in a way that is sensitive to individual need and preference, as well as being open to constructive criticism from clients so that I can better serve them. I want therapy with me to be a positive experience for you.
I am dedicated to making therapy feel more accessible and less scary. I know it can be difficult to make that first step and to move forward and learn to trust a therapist. I try to work in a way that is sensitive to individual need and preference, as well as being open to constructive criticism from clients so that I can better serve them. I want therapy with me to be a positive experience for you.
I see clients from across all ages, ethnicities and with an extremely wide range of issues. I help clients to come to grips with substance abuse, depression, all forms of anxiety and much more besides. I help my clients to summon the strength to put their issues behind them. I help them to find new ways of feeling, thinking and behaving. Whatever their goals might be, I help them to realise that they're strong enough, good enough and able to achieve them. I particularly specialise in working with clients on the high functioning end of the autistic spectrum.
I see clients from across all ages, ethnicities and with an extremely wide range of issues. I help clients to come to grips with substance abuse, depression, all forms of anxiety and much more besides. I help my clients to summon the strength to put their issues behind them. I help them to find new ways of feeling, thinking and behaving. Whatever their goals might be, I help them to realise that they're strong enough, good enough and able to achieve them. I particularly specialise in working with clients on the high functioning end of the autistic spectrum.
You may seem to the world to be successful, sure of yourself, and in control whilst feeling increasingly isolated as you battle, perhaps in secret, with your fear, anxiety, loneliness or past. You may sense that part of you is hidden, maybe even from yourself, tripping you up when it matters most, that your life is not quite what you hoped or your choices are unfulfilling. You may wish to know your own heart, to be on your own side, and to be able engage authentically and meaningfully with your life. Working together we can listen out for your quiet inner voice, the one that already knows you and already knows how to be.
You may seem to the world to be successful, sure of yourself, and in control whilst feeling increasingly isolated as you battle, perhaps in secret, with your fear, anxiety, loneliness or past. You may sense that part of you is hidden, maybe even from yourself, tripping you up when it matters most, that your life is not quite what you hoped or your choices are unfulfilling. You may wish to know your own heart, to be on your own side, and to be able engage authentically and meaningfully with your life. Working together we can listen out for your quiet inner voice, the one that already knows you and already knows how to be.
Dr Melissa Barkan
Psychologist, DCounsPsych, CPsychol
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Oxford OX4 (Online Only)
Often, individual difficulties are accompanied by the challenges of daily life, which make each person’s experience different and their therapeutic needs unique. Through short or long term therapy, I aim to support meaningful change in areas you would like to work on, with an understanding of the wider picture of how these issues may feature in daily life.
Often, individual difficulties are accompanied by the challenges of daily life, which make each person’s experience different and their therapeutic needs unique. Through short or long term therapy, I aim to support meaningful change in areas you would like to work on, with an understanding of the wider picture of how these issues may feature in daily life.
If you are looking for someone to really listen to what you have to say and, where appropriate, to reflect back some non-judgemental comment, I think I could be the person you are looking for. With twelve years as a therapist and twenty-five years membership of the British Psychological Society (with a degree in that subject as well as a masters in cognitive science and over ten years working for an employee assistance provider, mostly recruiting and training therapists) I have the knowledge and experience to offer you a warm and empathic service.
If you are looking for someone to really listen to what you have to say and, where appropriate, to reflect back some non-judgemental comment, I think I could be the person you are looking for. With twelve years as a therapist and twenty-five years membership of the British Psychological Society (with a degree in that subject as well as a masters in cognitive science and over ten years working for an employee assistance provider, mostly recruiting and training therapists) I have the knowledge and experience to offer you a warm and empathic service.
My clinical experience encompasses many years working in a mental health setting and private practice dealing with a broad range of symptoms including, but not limited to, chronic trauma, loss or abuse, stress, anxiety, depression, marital difficulties, child-parent conflicts, self-harm, bi-polar disorder, addiction and border-line states – to name just some of the presenting issues.
My clinical experience encompasses many years working in a mental health setting and private practice dealing with a broad range of symptoms including, but not limited to, chronic trauma, loss or abuse, stress, anxiety, depression, marital difficulties, child-parent conflicts, self-harm, bi-polar disorder, addiction and border-line states – to name just some of the presenting issues.
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Sports Performance Counsellors
How does sports psychology work?
Sports psychology helps athletes identify and overcome challenges, such as perfectionism or a fear of failure, and improve key mental skills, such as confidence or concentration. By applying principles and techniques from psychology, such as goal-setting, visualisation, positive self-talk, and emotion regulation, sports psychologists help athletes improve their performance on the field and their well-being overall.
How long does treatment for a sports-related problem take?
The duration of sports psychology treatment depends on the athlete’s individual challenges, goals, the complexity of the interventions used, and even on the length of the season. A performance anxiety issue may be treated with a short-term treatment, like Cognitive behavioural therapy, while issues such as depression, substance abuse, or severe anxiety may require longer-term treatments.
How effective is treatment for sports performance problems?
Sports psychology has been shown to improve performance and help athletes manage their emotions. Sports psychology can be effective in boosting performance, team dynamics, and injury rehabilitation. Over the past decade, nearly every professional sports team in every major sport has added a sports psychologist to its staff. Many colleges have done the same, and even some high school programs have done the same. Olympic hopefuls may consult with sports psychologists starting in elementary school.
What are the limitations of sports psychology?
Sports psychology may have several limitations. Every athlete is unique and may respond differently to sports psychology treatments. Therapy can help an athlete reach their potential; it can help athletes cope with injury and pain, but it cannot change the physical limitations that may be affecting an athlete’s performance.