University of Manitoba Athletics

Sport psychology

As athletes, you put your body on the line every day. You spend a lot of time in the gym, train hard, push through adversity, and show up to improve every single day. This is the norm- it’s what is expected. You might not think twice when you are impacted by overuse or injury- you follow the rehab protocols and get your body back in shape, ready to perform again.

We should expect the same for our mental and emotional health, but it’s usually not the case. We often are told to ‘suck it up’ or that it’s ‘not a big deal.’ We call ourselves weak if we have trouble keeping up, or think there is something wrong with us for struggling. The truth is everyone, including student-athletes can experience difficulties and challenges in their daily life. Student-athletes manage a lot of pressure, expectations, goals and deadlines. Rather than expecting that nothing will ever impact you, creating a plan and calling in supports can be a helpful way to manage whatever challenges come your way.

The Sport Psychology team is here to support you whether you are looking to level up your game, cope with life stress, or deal with serious mental health concerns. We believe that in order for you to perform your best, you need to be and feel your best.

Information for student-athletes:

Individual sessions: Private and confidential, these virtual or in-person sessions are with you and a provider. You’ll discuss what is impacting you and co-create a plan to help you build tools and strategies to help you be your best in and out of sport.

Group or team sessions: Single or multi-session plans to help with team culture/unity, mental health and well-being (e.g., emotion regulation, self-care, mentally healthy habits), and performance strategies (e.g., visualization, effective relaxation, self-talk) can be initiated by coaching staff or athletes.

Please reach out to our Bisons sport psychology lead, Lindsay Berard (bison.psych@umanitoba.ca) for confidential support or fill out the intake form below:
   

Additional supports and resources for student-athletes:

Bisons Crisis Response Plan

Bison Sports UM Learn

UM Student Supports

UM Student Counselling Centre

UM Sexual Violence Resource Centre

Bisons+ Academic Support
 

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Bisons sport psychology team

Lindsay Berard, C.Psych Candidate, PhD(c), MPC (she/her) is a psychologist candidate and Mental Performance Consultant (Canadian Sport Psychology Association) who has extensive experience working with high level and professional athletes, performers, teams and organizations. She is often called upon to develop and integrate sport psychology services into various high-level sport programs, and is currently working with Golf Canada national women’s team and supporting culture and wellness work through Own the Podium.

Trained in clinical psychology, Lindsay is also able to assess for and treat mental health disorders using evidence-based therapeutic treatments. She uses a holistic and integrative approach, drawing from various evidence-based psychological treatments to help her athletes be their best version of themselves in all aspects of their lives. During individual sessions, Lindsay incorporates techniques to help athletes develop a sense of who they are, helping to identify and amplify their strengths and directing focus onto the areas that they struggle with. Through feedback and support, athletes are provided with the opportunity to apply and practice skills to develop into the athlete and individual they want to be.

Cheryl Coulter (practicum student) (she/her) is completing her master’s in education with a specialization in counselling and psychology at the University of Manitoba. She has 10+ years of experience as a classroom teacher and volunteer on the Klinic crisis lines. She is currently completing a practicum in the realm of sports psychology to gain more experience and understanding to best support teams and athletes in achieving their goals.

Cheryl is particularly interested in guiding young athletes to develop strategies for overcoming challenges related to performance anxiety that also promote life-long mental health, including the practice of mindfulness. She has been a competitive Ultimate Frisbee player for over 20 years, playing and captaining at both the world and national level. She is looking forward to this enriched experience with Bison Sports!

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