What is the difference between clinical sports psychology and mental skills and performance coaching?

Clinical sports psychology primarily deals with the mental health and psychological well-being of athletes and top performers. Dr. Lauren Lowe, Psy.D., and Jesssica Good, AMFT are sports clinicians who have accrued specific training in sports and performance psychology in addition to their clinical degrees in psychology. Clinical sports providers are equipped to diagnose and treat psychological conditions, and their services address a wide range of mental health issues through the context of sports and performance. Issues often addressed in treatment include anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, and many others.

Mental skills and performance coaching focuses on enhancing performance through the development of specific mental skills. Hannah Leudtke is a master’s level sports provider who holds a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) certification, the leading qualification in the field. Mental skills coaching focuses on teaching athletes and top performers mental skills such as goal setting, visualization, confidence, emotion regulation, and more. The primary goal is to improve performance by building mental toughness, enhancing focus, boosting motivation, and increasing confidence. Hannah helps individuals and teams implement performance enhancement strategies, ensuring that they are mentally prepared to meet the performance demands of their sport or career.

Can I have therapy and mental skills coaching?

Absolutely! At Align we believe in an integrated approach and value the expertise of both services. Frequently, we will have individuals referred between the Align providers to ensure that the needs of every individual are met! We see the benefit of both clinical support and mental skills coaching, and will work with you to find the right fit.

What is the difference between a mental skills coaching session and a mental skills program?

A mental skills coaching session and a mental skills program differ primarily in scope, duration, and structure. A mental skills coaching session is a single, focused meeting, typically lasting 30 minutes to an hour, where specific mental skills or issues are addressed. It is tailored to the immediate needs of the athlete, providing quick adjustments and strategies for immediate implementation.

In contrast, a mental skills program is a comprehensive, long-term plan that spans multiple weeks to months and includes consistent sessions. This program is designed to systematically develop a wide range of mental skills, such as confidence building, stress management, and motivation. It involves regular assessment, progress tracking, and often includes practice opportunities . While coaching sessions offer flexibility for immediate problem-solving, mental skills programs provide a structured yet adaptable framework that evolves based on the athlete's progress and emerging needs.

How do I know which service would most help me?

It is ok not to know at the outset! Align is here to help you navigate that decision through a personalized approach. Once you contact us for support, our team will outreach you personally to set up a 10-15 introductory call to discuss your needs and assess how best to support you! We will use our clinical expertise to support you in choosing a provider and treatment method. From time to time, if a provider believes you may benefit from an alternative or adjunct service, we will have a directive conversation with you and make referrals! At Align we believe in an integrated team approach to ensure that an individual or team can meet their goals.

Does Align accept health insurance?

No, Align is an out-of-network provider and we do not work directly with any insurance companies. Some insurance companies will reimburse part of the cost of out-of-network visits; this varies based on your individual insurance plan. Align provides monthly superbills for our appointments for you to submit directly to your insurance company for reimbursement.

Questions to ask your insurance company?

• Do I have mental health coverage for "out-of-network" providers?
• What is the rate of reimbursement for various services?
• What is the deductable needed to meet before receiving reimbursement?
• What CPT codes are covered by insurance if they do provide reimbursement?
• Is reauthorization required and what is needed for this?

Commonly used service codes:

• 90791​
• 90832, 90834, 90837
• Add on code 95 for telehealth services
• 90846 & 90847
• 90853
• 90865
• 90875
• 96130 & 96131
• 96136 & 96137

I’m interested! How do I get started?

Visiting this website is the first step! Here’s what to expect next:

1. Submit a request for services »»
2. Within 1-2 business days, you will receive a direct call and/or email from an available Align provider
3. Have a 10-15 minute meet and greet call to discuss your needs, ask any questions you may have, and assess if you would like to move forward with services
4. Schedule an initial appointment