Mental Performance Counseling
Understanding how brutal the world of sports can be on athletes, Unleash! strives to help athletes develop the mental skills needed to overcome obstacles that are affecting both the player and their performance. The staff at Unleash! all have a passion for working with athletes who are striving to be more consistent, more aware and most importantly, more confident in their abilities to perform at an optimal level.
Licensed Clinical Sports Counselor
As a professional athlete, I too encountered mental obstacles that eventually had an impact on my performance. It wasn’t until a coach expressed to me that my issue was from the “neck-up” that I realized I was missing a key aspect of athletic development. After dealing with several injuries in the early stages of my professional career, I didn’t know it at the time, but looking in hindsight, I was battling an opponent that I was not prepared for and had pretty much suppressed my entire career. That opponent was me.
Academic Experience:
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University of Western States - Portland, OR
Doctorate of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling w/Specialization in Sport & Performance Psychology, 2020
Dissertation: The Autonomous Response & Its Impact on Performance Expectancy In Athletes -
University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, PA
Executive Education Certificate in Player Development, 2018 -
Michigan State University - East Lansing, MI
Graduate Certificate In Youth Development, 2016 -
Drexel University - Philadelphia, PA
Master of Science in Sports Management, 2014
Sports Experience:
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Super Bowl 48 Champion with the Seattle Seahawks
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2010 3rd Round Draft Pick Selection of the Jacksonville Jaguars
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Division-1 Athletic Scholarship Recipient to Louisiana Tech University
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3-Sport High School Athlete All-State in Football and Track & Field (Shot-Put)
Dr. D'Anthony SmitH,
LMHC,NCC,CMPC,ACC
Although my performance developed, I cannot say the same about me "the athlete". During the early years in my career, I battled with injuries, self-doubt, and even my identity outside of sports. I figured that if I just stayed focused on the physical components of performance, things would eventually work themselves out. I could not have been more wrong.
It wasn’t until I started working with a Sports Counselor that I noticed a shift in my performance. A shift that expanded my development as an athlete. This development contributed to my ability to compete with the best talent my sport had to offer on the daily, in our quest to obtain a Super Bowl Championship.
After retiring, I found a second passion in helping athletes develop in ways that could expand their performance. With this newfound passion, I begin to establish the gold standard of player development. This standard is now called Unleash!
WHo KNOWS YOU BETTER THAN YOU?
When it comes to being an expert about yourself, Who knows you better than you? Within Unleash!, I see my role as a supporter to my clients in their personal development as athletes. Because of this, I tailor my approach to each player’s individual needs. My personal experiences, both in and out of sports, have contributed to my overall development and abilities to help players of all ages. I always keep this in mind as I support my clients in their ambitions to accomplish their goals.
Thanks for taking the time out to get to know a little more about me. I look forward to meeting you.
