Counseling and Sport Psychology Services

The female athlete triad describes the relationship among three processes in the female body: energy supply, menstruation, and bone density. When her energy supply is insufficient for her expenditure a female athlete may be at risk for developing loss of menstruation, loss of bone density, and possibly develop eating disordered behaviors. Dr. Roche has worked with numerous female athletes to provide psychological support as they work through this phenomenon.

When the stakes are high it can be difficult to maintain your focus. Dr. Roche works with athletes to help teach them how to minimize distractions and maintain concentration.

Being able to work together as a team is integral in any sport. Whether it is the individual athlete working with his coach, or team members working together for the win, being able to function as a unit leads to better performance. Dr. Roche works with teams to create effective communication and build cohesion among teammates to enhance enjoyment and performance in sport.

Many of us experience some level of stress when we are asked to perform. How that stress impacts us can vary from person to person. For some it adds to their game while others it detracts and leads to difficulty executing skills. Dr. Roche works with athletes to understand what contributes to performance anxiety and helps them to find ways to manage the anxiety and excel in sport.

We all strive for that mental state where we are unstoppable. You save every goal, you run faster than every opponent, and you hit every shot. This state is often described as being "in the zone". While we strive to do this every time we compete it is impossible to have your "best performance" every competition. Dr. Roche works with athletes to help create the best environment for success and optimize potential to play "in the zone".

Coaches and athletes have to be able to communicate effectively to achieve their collective goals. Being able to motivate an athlete is key to being an effective coach. Dr. Roche works with coaches helping them to be able to identify an athlete's motivational drive and implement effective feedback styles that will help the coach train his/her athletes to develop and reach their potential.

One of the greatest parts of participating in sports is being able to gain skills that will reach far beyond athletics. Leadership development is an important life skill athletes are able to gain through participation in sport. Dr. Roche works with captains, upperclassmen, coaches, and administrators to identify his/her own leadership style to inspire, educate, motivate, and support his/her peers.

There is an inherent risk when one plays sports to experience injury. It can be minor muscle pulls or more serious issues requiring surgery. Whatever the injury each athlete's response is unique. Return to sport can be a few days to many months. Dr. Roche has worked with numerous athletes assisting them in navigating the recovery process from moderate to severe injury. She is incredibly sensitive to the unique needs of each athlete and provides support while the athlete heals.