Sports Psychology Melbourne

Sports Psychology & Mental Performance in Melbourne

Work with an AHPRA-registered sports psychologist at Performe's Melbourne clinic. Whether you're managing performance anxiety, recovering from injury, or training your focus for competition — our evidence-based mental skills approach is built for athletes at every level.

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Call Us: 03 8412 0048

The Services We Provide to Elite Athletes Are Sports Psychologist for Athletes & Teams

At Performe Sports Medicine, our sports psychology service is led by Jacqui Louder — an AHPRA-registered psychologist with deep experience supporting elite and recreational athletes across AFL, swimming, gymnastics, cycling and team sports.

Unlike general counselling, sports psychology is focused entirely on performance: how you think, feel and behave under pressure. Jacqui works one-on-one with athletes to build the mental skills that complement your physical training — so your mindset matches your fitness.

Located at Olympic Park, East Melbourne, Performe is the trusted mental performance partner for athletes across the greater Melbourne area, and the official sports medicine provider to Collingwood Football Club.

Jacqui Louder

Jacqui is an AHPRA-registered psychologist and member of the Australian Psychological Society's College of Sport & Exercise Psychology. She specialises in performance anxiety, mental skills training, and athlete wellbeing — working with both elite and sub-elite athletes.

AHPRA Registered

APA Member

College of Sport & Exercise Psych

Elite Athlete Experience

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Proud to be associated with

✓ AHPRA Registered

✓ Australian Psychological Society

✓ Sports Medicine Australia

✓ Collingwood FC Partner Clinic

Your Mental Game Is Half the Battle

Research shows that mental skills training can improve performance by 10–30%. Whether you're preparing for competition, dealing with a performance slump, or managing the psychological demands of injury — a sports psychologist can help.

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Areas We Support in Sports Psychology

Evidence-based mental skills for athletes in Melbourne and beyond

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Performance Anxiety

Manage pre-competition nerves, choking under pressure, and fear of failure so you can perform at your best when it counts.

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Focus & Concentration

Build attentional control, reduce distractions and develop pre-performance routines that keep you in the zone.

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Confidence Building

Identify and challenge limiting beliefs, build self-efficacy and develop consistent mental toughness across your season.

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Injury Rehabilitation

Address the psychological side of injury recovery — fear of re-injury, motivation slumps, and identity challenges during rehab.

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Mental Toughness

Develop resilience, emotional regulation and the ability to perform consistently under fatigue, pressure or adversity.

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Slumps & Form Loss

Break through performance plateaus, technical yips or prolonged form loss with targeted cognitive and behavioural strategies.

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Team Dynamics

Improve team cohesion, communication, leadership confidence and collective efficacy for coaches and athletes.

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Transition & Retirement

Navigate identity shifts, career transitions, selection challenges and retirement from sport with professional support.

What to Expect from Sports Psychology at Performe

A structured, athlete-centred approach to building your mental performance toolkit

Initial Consultation

A 60-minute intake session to understand your performance goals, current challenges, competition schedule and psychological history.

Personalised Mental Skills Plan

A 60-minute intake session to understand your performance goals, current challenges, competition schedule and psychological history.

Ongoing Session Work

Regular sessions (weekly or fortnightly) to practise and refine your mental skills toolkit, with review against performance benchmarks.

Competition Preparation

Pre-competition psychological preparation including arousal regulation, focus cues, and pre-performance routines tailored to your sport.

Performance Review

Post-competition debrief to identify what worked, what needs adjustment, and how to carry momentum into your next event.

Integrated Team Care

When relevant, Jacqui coordinates with your physiotherapist, coach or GP at Performe to ensure a whole-athlete approach to performance.

Common Presentations We Work With

Sports psychology Melbourne — evidence-based support across these presentations

🟢 Performance anxiety & competition nerves

🟢 Pre-game jitters and choking

🟢 Fear of failure or success

🟢 Loss of confidence or self-doubt

🟢 Concentration & focus difficulties

🟢 Psychological impact of injury

🟢 Motivation and burnout

🟢 Overtraining and perfectionism

🟢 Sporting yips or technical blocks

🟢 Transitioning back after injury

🟢 Athlete identity & career transitions

🟢 Team conflict and leadership challenges

Why Choose Performe for Sports Psychology in Melbourne

Evidence-based, athlete-first mental performance support at Olympic Park

AHPRA-Registered Practitioner

Jacqui Louder is fully AHPRA-registered and a member of the Australian Psychological Society. Not a life coach — a qualified, regulated psychologist who specialises in sport and performance.

Integrated Sports Medicine Clinic

Psychology at Performe sits alongside physiotherapy, sports medicine doctors, exercise physiology and nutrition — meaning your mental and physical performance are treated as one.

Elite Sport Track Record

Performe is the official clinical partner to Collingwood Football Club. Our sports psychology service draws on experience with elite AFL athletes, Olympic-pathway athletes and high-performance coaches.

Olympic Park Location

Conveniently located at AAMI Park (Olympic Park, East Melbourne) — accessible from the CBD, Richmond, South Yarra and surrounding suburbs, with parking available.

Evidence-Based Methods

Sessions draw on CBT, ACT, mindfulness, imagery, goal-setting and self-talk techniques — all grounded in sport & exercise psychology research, not generic wellness approaches.

Ongoing Athlete Support

From initial consultation through competition season and beyond, Jacqui provides continuous support — adapting your mental skills plan as your season and goals evolve.

Psychology Services at Performe

→ Individual performance psychology sessions

→ Pre-competition psychological preparation

→ Injury rehabilitation psychology

→ Mental skills workshops for teams

→ Return-to-sport mental readiness assessment

→ Athlete wellbeing & burnout support

→ Coach psychology consultation

Our Standards & Accreditations

✓ AHPRA-registered psychologist

✓ Australian Psychological Society member

✓ College of Sport & Exercise Psychology

✓ Continuing Professional Development compliant

✓ Evidence-based clinical practice

✓ Integrated sports medicine team approach

✓ Mandatory reporting & ethical practice standards

Related Services at Performe

→ Sports Physiotherapy Melbourne

→ Sports & Exercise Medicine

→ Concussion Services

→ Exercise Physiology

→ Recovery Services

Frequently Asked Questions

Sports Psychology Melbourne — common questions answered

What is sports psychology and how is it different to regular counselling?

Sports psychology is a specialised field focused on the mental and emotional factors that influence athletic performance. Unlike general counselling or life coaching, a sports psychologist works specifically on performance-related challenges — concentration, confidence, anxiety under pressure, and the psychological demands of training and competition. Jacqui Louder at Performe is both AHPRA-registered and a specialist in sport and exercise psychology.

Is a sports psychologist the same as a performance coach?

No. A sports psychologist (like Jacqui Louder) holds a university-level psychology degree and is registered with AHPRA — Australia's national regulator for health practitioners. A "performance coach" or "mental performance coach" is an unregulated title that anyone can use. AHPRA registration means Jacqui is bound by mandatory ethical and professional standards.

Can I claim sports psychology sessions on Medicare or private health?

Sessions may be claimable under a GP Mental Health Care Plan via Medicare, or through private health insurance depending on your level of cover. We recommend contacting Performe or speaking to your GP to confirm your eligibility. Please confirm current Medicare arrangements with our reception team.

What does a first session with a sports psychologist involve?

Your first session is a 60-minute intake consultation where Jacqui will explore your performance goals, current challenges, training load, competition schedule and psychological history. There's no obligation to commit to ongoing sessions — it's an opportunity to assess fit and build a shared understanding of your goals.

Do I need to be an elite athlete to see a sports psychologist?

Absolutely not. Sports psychology is for anyone who wants to perform better in their sport or physical activity — from elite AFL players to weekend runners, youth athletes, and master's competitors. If performance matters to you, the mental side matters too.

How many sessions will I need?

This varies significantly depending on your goals and presenting challenges. Some athletes complete a focused 4–6 session mental skills program; others benefit from ongoing support across a full season. Jacqui will give you a clear recommendation after your initial consultation.

Where is Performe located?

Performe Sports Medicine is located at AAMI Park, Olympic Park, East Melbourne. We are easily accessible from Melbourne CBD, Richmond, South Yarra and surrounds. Street parking and public transport options are available nearby. Please contact our reception to confirm specific parking arrangements.

Can Jacqui work with junior or youth athletes?

Please contact Performe directly to discuss support for junior athletes. Age-specific considerations apply and Jacqui can advise on the most appropriate approach for younger athletes and their families.

Where to Find Us

Performe Sports Medicine

20 Olympic Blvd, Melbourne, 3004

📞 Phone: 03 8412 0048

📧 Email: reception@performe.com.au

🕐 CLINIC HOURS:
Monday to Friday, 8am – 5:30pm

Jacqui Louder sees patients at the Performe clinic. Telehealth sessions may also be available — contact reception to enquire.

Ready to Train Your Mental Game ?

Book a session with Jacqui Louder at Performe's Melbourne clinic — or get in touch to find out if sports psychology is right for you.

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