Business Details
40 Years
experience
Certified Mental Performance Consultants for Sport & Business
The Association For Applied Sport is a premier organization dedicated to advancing the science and practice of mental performance across diverse fields. Founded to provide structured expertise in sport, tactical settings, and the performing arts, we offer the Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) certification, the sole accredited credential in North America for mental performance professionals. Our work bridges research, education, and practical application, serving athletes, coaches, and performers globally. With a focus on inclusivity and excellence, we cultivate a network of certified consultants, researchers, and educators committed to optimizing human performance and well-being.Through publications, conferences, and educational resources, we empower professionals to deliver evidence-based solutions tailored to high-performance environments. Our strategic initiatives prioritize ethical standards, cultural competence, and innovation, ensuring practitioners meet evolving industry demands while fostering trust and accountability.
Services
CMPC Certification
Annual Conference
Research Publications
Graduate Program Accreditation
Continuing Education Workshops
Details
- Year established: 1986
Highlights and features
- We offer the only accredited CMPC certification in North America.
- Our global network includes researchers, educators, and practitioners in high-performance fields.
- We bridge scientific research with practical applications for athletes and professionals.
- Annual conferences provide cutting-edge continuing education and networking opportunities.
- Commitment to diversity, ethics, and evidence-based practices ensures trusted expertise.
Associations and certifications
- Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC)
Services
CMPC Certification
The CMPC certification validates professionals' expertise in optimizing performance through mental skills training. We provide rigorous standards, mentorship registries, and recertification processes to ensure practitioners meet industry benchmarks. Our program emphasizes ethical practice, cultural competence, and evidence-based methodologies for athletes, military personnel, and performers.
Annual Conference
Our annual conference connects global experts through workshops, lectures, and networking. Attendees gain access to cutting-edge research, hands-on training, and peer collaboration opportunities. The event features keynote speakers, panel discussions, and poster sessions to advance professional growth in applied sport psychology.
Research Publications
We publish leading journals including the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology and Case Studies in Sport and Performance Psychology. These resources disseminate peer-reviewed research, practical applications, and case studies to inform both academic and professional communities in mental performance fields.
Graduate Program Accreditation
AASP sets accreditation standards for graduate programs in applied sport psychology. We ensure curricula meet rigorous academic and practical requirements, preparing students for certification and careers in mental performance consulting across diverse populations and industries.
Continuing Education Workshops
Our workshops deliver specialized training in areas like mindfulness, motivation, and performance anxiety. Designed for certified professionals, these sessions fulfill CE requirements while enhancing practical skills through evidence-based methodologies and peer collaboration in high-performance contexts.
People
Hillary Cauthen
President
Hillary Cauthen is a licensed sport psychologist and CEO of Optimal Performance & Psychological Services. With over 15 years of experience, she specializes in performance enhancement for athletes and professionals. She has served on AASP's executive board and contributes to media outlets on mental performance topics.
Natalie Durand-Bush
Past President
Natalie Durand-Bush is a professor at the University of Ottawa and a leading researcher in sport psychology. Her work focuses on ethical decision-making and mental health in high-performance settings. She has received multiple awards for her contributions to the field and mentoring students.
Kensa Gunter
Director of NBA/WNBA Mind Health
Kensa Gunter specializes in integrating mental health and performance consulting for professional athletes. With a background in clinical psychology, she develops programs to address mental wellness and resilience in elite sports environments, emphasizing holistic athlete development.
Clare Fewster
Mental Health Lead at Canadian Sport Institute Alberta
Clare Fewster has over 25 years of experience supporting Olympic and Paralympic athletes. She combines mental health expertise with performance psychology to enhance athlete well-being. She chairs the Canadian Sport Psychology Association and advocates for safe sport practices.
Eddie O'Connor
Chief Sport Psychologist at Atrium Health
Eddie O'Connor provides mental performance and health services to elite athletes and teams. A licensed clinical psychologist, he integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy into his work, focusing on performance anxiety, injury rehabilitation, and team dynamics in professional sports.
Questions
What is the CMPC certification?
The CMPC is the sole accredited certification for mental performance consultants in North America, validating expertise in enhancing performance through psychological skills training.
Who benefits from AASP resources?
Athletes, coaches, performers, researchers, and mental health professionals seeking evidence-based strategies for high-performance environments.
Does AASP offer continuing education?
Yes, through annual conferences, webinars, workshops, and publications like the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology.
How can I find a certified consultant?
Visit our website to search the CMPC directory by location, specialty, or population.
What research areas does AASP prioritize?
We focus on applied sport psychology, mental health in performance settings, and culturally responsive interventions.
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