Performance Mindset Counselling for Athletes, Dancers and Students
Build confidence, manage pressure and access more of what you can already do.
You may know exactly what you are capable of during training, rehearsal or preparation, yet struggle to access those same skills when the pressure is on.
Nerves, self-doubt, perfectionism, distraction or fear of making a mistake can change how you think, feel and respond during games, competitions, auditions, exams and other high-pressure situations.
Performance mindset counselling can help you understand what happens under pressure and develop practical strategies for confidence, focus, emotional regulation, preparation and recovery after setbacks.
I support youth and adults across sport, dance, academic and other performance settings. Support is tailored to the individual rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all message to simply think positively, toughen up or try harder.
In-person in Palmview on the Sunshine Coast and telehealth online Australia-wide.
ACA Registered Counsellor | Bachelor in Psychology | Diploma of Counselling
When Ability Is Not the Problem
It can be confusing and frustrating when someone performs confidently in practice but becomes hesitant, distracted or overwhelmed during the moments that matter.
You or your child may:
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perform well in training but freeze, rush or hold back during competition
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lose confidence after one mistake
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become highly self-critical after feedback
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overthink skills that usually feel automatic
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avoid taking risks because failure feels too uncomfortable
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struggle to recover emotionally after a poor performance
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feel pressure to meet the expectations of coaches, teachers, parents or teammates
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lose motivation or enjoyment in an activity that once felt important
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find it difficult to focus when the environment becomes busy, unpredictable or emotionally charged
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become anxious before games, auditions, exams or presentations
These reactions do not necessarily mean someone lacks ability, commitment or mental strength.
Often, there is a pattern behind what is happening. Counselling creates space to understand that pattern and develop strategies that fit the individual, the activity and the specific pressures they are facing.
Who I Support
Athletes
Performance mindset counselling can support junior, recreational and competitive athletes experiencing:
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pre-game nerves or performance anxiety
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low confidence or hesitation during competition
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fear of mistakes, failure or disappointing others
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difficulty staying focused under pressure
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frustration with teammates, coaches or selection decisions
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confidence loss following injury
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burnout or loss of motivation
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challenges balancing sport, school, work and relationships
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difficulty mentally recovering after a poor game or competition
The aim is not to eliminate every uncomfortable thought or feeling. It is to help the athlete respond more effectively so pressure does not have to control the next decision.
Dancers and Performers
Dance and performance environments can involve evaluation, comparison, correction, auditions and pressure to appear confident even when self-doubt is present.
Support may focus on:
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audition or competition anxiety
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fear of forgetting choreography or making visible mistakes
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perfectionism and harsh self-criticism
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confidence following corrections or casting decisions
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difficulty staying present during performances
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comparison with other dancers or performers
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emotional recovery after disappointment
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maintaining identity and wellbeing alongside demanding training
Performance support can help dancers develop routines, attention cues and ways of responding to pressure without asking them to suppress their emotions or pretend they are unaffected.
Students
Academic performance pressure is not always about knowledge or effort.
Students may understand the material but struggle during:
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exams
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assessments
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oral presentations
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interviews
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auditions
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practical demonstrations
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high-pressure deadlines
Counselling can help with performance anxiety, procrastination, perfectionism, focus, confidence, emotional regulation and the fear of not meeting expectations.
How Performance Mindset Counselling Can Help
Confidence That Is Not Dependent on a Perfect Result
Confidence can become fragile when it depends entirely on winning, receiving praise or avoiding mistakes.
Together, we can explore what strengthens or drains confidence and develop a more stable sense of self-belief based on preparation, values, effort and the ability to respond when things do not go to plan.
Focus and Attention Control
Pressure can pull attention towards the score, the crowd, past mistakes, future consequences or what other people may be thinking.
Sessions can help you identify where your attention goes and practise ways to bring it back to the next useful action.
Emotional Regulation Under Pressure
The goal is not always to become completely calm.
Some people perform best with high energy, while others need to reduce activation. We can develop strategies that help you recognise what your body is doing and adjust your level of activation in a way that suits you.
Pre-Performance and Reset Routines
A useful routine can provide structure without becoming rigid or superstitious.
Depending on your needs, we may develop:
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preparation routines
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breathing or grounding strategies
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attention-reset cues
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imagery and mental rehearsal
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constructive self-talk
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plans for recovering after mistakes
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post-performance reflection routines
Resilience After Mistakes and Setbacks
One mistake does not have to determine the rest of a performance.
Counselling can help you understand why certain mistakes, opponents, feedback or situations have such a strong emotional impact and develop a plan for returning attention to what comes next.
Motivation, Values and Enjoyment
When performance becomes connected only to outcomes, selection or other people’s approval, motivation can become difficult to sustain.
Exploring what genuinely matters can help create goals that are meaningful, flexible and more personally driven.
Performance Mindset and ADHD
ADHD can affect performance in ways that are sometimes misunderstood as laziness, carelessness or a lack of discipline.
A performer with ADHD may find it difficult to:
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shift attention away from a mistake
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remember a routine when under pressure
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regulate frustration or disappointment
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maintain focus during repetitive practice
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begin preparation without urgency
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manage energy and activation
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filter distractions in busy environments
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maintain confidence after repeated criticism
These are not personal flaws.
Performance mindset counselling can help identify what supports the individual’s attention, motivation and emotional recovery. Strategies are built around the person rather than expecting them to perform as though their brain works differently.
This service does not provide formal ADHD assessment or diagnosis. Where assessment is wanted or required, I can recommend an appropriate referral pathway.
Learn More About ADHD Support
Support for Parents of Young Athletes and Performers
It can be difficult to know what to do when a capable young person becomes anxious, self-critical, withdrawn or frustrated about their performance.
You may be wondering whether to:
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encourage them
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push them
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step back
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speak with the coach
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help them analyse what happened
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avoid discussing the performance altogether
Parent sessions can help you better understand what may be happening and find ways to support confidence, responsibility and enjoyment without unintentionally adding more pressure.
Depending on the young person’s age and needs, support may involve individual sessions, parent sessions or a combination of both.
Confidentiality and parent involvement are discussed clearly at the beginning so that everyone understands how the counselling relationship will work, including the circumstances in which safety information would need to be shared.
Book a free 10 min call to learn more about parent support
What Happens in a Performance Mindset Session?
Sessions are calm, practical, collaborative and tailored to the individual.
1. Understand What Happens Under Pressure
We begin by identifying the situations that create difficulty and what happens in your thoughts, emotions, body and behaviour.
2. Identify the Most Useful Focus
Rather than trying to improve everything at once, we identify one or two areas that are likely to make the greatest difference.
3. Develop and Practise Strategies
You will develop practical tools that fit your sport, performance setting, personality and goals.
4. Review and Adjust
We look at what happened when the strategies were used, what helped, what did not and what needs to be adjusted.
Some people book a focused session before an important event. Others choose several sessions to develop and practise skills over time.
There is no expectation that you commit to a set number of appointments before knowing whether the approach feels helpful.
How Is This Different From Coaching or Sport Psychology?
Performance Mindset Counselling
Performance mindset counselling explores the thoughts, emotions, beliefs, relationships and behavioural patterns that may affect performance.
It can include practical mental-performance strategies while also considering confidence, identity, anxiety, emotional regulation, ADHD, family influence and general wellbeing.
Technical or Performance Coaching
A sports, dance or academic coach usually focuses on the technical knowledge, physical skills, strategy or training required for the activity.
Performance mindset counselling does not replace technical coaching. It works alongside it by addressing the internal experiences that may make it difficult to use those skills consistently.
Sport and Exercise Psychology
Sport and exercise psychologists are registered psychologists with psychology training and may provide psychological assessment and treatment within their professional scope.
I am an ACA Registered Counsellor, not a registered psychologist. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Diploma of Counselling.
Performance mindset counselling does not provide formal psychological assessment or diagnosis. Where assessment or specialist psychological treatment is required, I will recommend an appropriate referral.
About Kimberly
I’m Kimberly Freeman, founder of Shifting Perspective Counselling.
I hold a Bachelor degree in Psychology, a Diploma of Counselling and am registered with the Australian Counselling Association.
My approach is compassionate, collaborative and grounded in evidence-informed practice. I work alongside you, not above you, and tailor support to the person in front of me rather than applying a standard performance formula.
My work draws on counselling approaches including CBT, ACT, DBT, mindfulness and person-centred practice. Performance sessions combine emotional understanding with practical tools that can be applied during training, preparation and competition.
My aim is not to create pressure to perform perfectly. It is to help you better understand yourself, develop useful skills and approach performance with greater confidence, flexibility and self-awareness.
Session Information
Initial appointment: 75 minutes — $130
Standard appointment: 60 minutes — $110
Location: Palmview, Sunshine Coast
Online: Telehealth appointments available Australia-wide
Referral: No referral or Mental Health Treatment Plan is required
Free chat: A free 10-minute conversation is available if you are unsure whether this service is the right fit
Teams and clubs: Group, team and club support is available by enquiry
Frequently Asked Questions
You Do Not Have to Wait Until Confidence Is Completely Gone
Support may be useful before pressure becomes overwhelming or someone loses enjoyment in an activity that matters to them.
You do not need to arrive with the problem fully understood. We can begin by looking at what has been happening and what you would like to feel or do differently.
