Mental Performance

A Message from Dr. Larkin

Welcome to ALL IN! 

You are reading this because you want to be great! You want to develop an edge over your competition! You want to learn how to BE ALL IN! And I’m here to help you regardless of your age or level… so consider the following:

Have you or any athlete you’ve known struggled with balancing the demands of athletics and life? Have they lacked confidence, had difficulty playing consistently, had a fear of failure, was unable to let go of mistakes, or suffered from competition anxiety?

Sports are 90% mental, but most athletes work on their mental game less than 10% of the time! As a coach or parent, have you ever told an athlete to ‘Get your head in the game’ or ‘you need to let that go and stop worrying’? But as hard as they tried to, they did not know HOW to? I can teach them HOW to do all of that and more!

It’s mental performance training that is responsible for developing the beliefs, routines and skillsets needed to perform and play at their optimal level game after game. It’s also mental performance training that helps athletes develop unshakeable confidence to help them control the controllables, face adversity, as well as withstand the ups and downs of competition, academics, and life.

 

Certified mental performance coaches are rare in Massachusetts, and it is even rarer to find one with a unique combination of experiences. I am a licensed mental health clinician, certified mental performance coach, a former college athlete, and an education professional with over thirty years of experience. I am the only mental performance coach in southeastern Massachusetts specializing in working with athletes from middle school to the professional level.  

Let me help you or your athlete(s) balance the demands and learn the skills necessary to reach their fullest potential on the court, field, classroom, work, community and in life!

LMHC, MGCP/MPM

Is Mental Performance Coaching Right for You?

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Professional Athletes and Mental Wellness

Mental health issues among athletes are prevalent, and only in recent years has there been a growing recognition of their significance.

Elite athletes often face intense pressure to excel and may struggle to separate their self-worth from their performance, adding complexity to maintaining good mental health.

Furthermore, elite athletes contend with the stigma that discussing mental health concerns signifies weakness.

Consequently, mental health has traditionally been overlooked in professional sports, despite many athletes silently grappling with anxiety and other mental health challenges.

Professional Services

One-on-one mental coaching is the fastest and most effective method to improve your mental game, boost your performance, and make lasting changes. All programs include the Athlete’s Mental Aptitude Assessment (AMAP), a custom mental game plan, weekly coaching sessions, unlimited email correspondence, and mental edge workbooks or performance boosting eBooks.

The ability to develop optimal mental performance in athletes is one of the most important weapons coaches can possess. Coaches should strive to understand how their athletes learn and how they think to motivate and mold them into the athletes they want them to become. Many sport psychology concepts can be easily implemented by coaches to improve their athlete’s mind and body connection.

 WORKSHOP TOPICS INCLUDE:

  • Mental Performance- The Most Important Skill No One is Teaching
  • Mental Performance- A Coach’s Secret Weapon
  • 10 Pillars of Mental Performance (3 Half-Day Trainings)
  • Top 4 Mental Strategies to Maximize Performance
  • Building an Elite Mindset by Improving Your Confidence
  • Improving Your Focus: The Power of Concentration
  • Effective Goal Setting for Elite Student-Athletes
  • Breaking Free of Limiting Behaviors: Fear of Failure, Letting Go of Mistakes, Self-Doubt & Negative Thinking
  • Perfect Practice Makes Perfect Performance- The Importance of Mindfulness, Meditation & Imagery
  • Building a Championship Team Mindset: Improving Communication, Unity, and Teamwork
  • Pressure in a Privilege: Leadership Training for Captains

Team success in competition depends on the mental preparation and skillset of team members as well as championship-level teamwork. Championship teams win because coaches know how to cultivate and maintain a positive culture among all their athletes. Success in sports goes beyond talent and athletic ability – championships are won by teams who are cohesive, mentally tough, and have unwavering confidence and trust in themselves and each other.

WORKSHOP TOPICS INCLUDE:

  • Mental Performance- The Most Important Skill No One is Teaching
  • Mental Performance- A Coach’s Secret Weapon
  • 10 Pillars of Mental Performance (3 Half-Day Trainings)
  • Top 4 Mental Strategies to Maximize Performance
  • Building an Elite Mindset by Improving Your Confidence
  • Improving Your Focus: The Power of Concentration
  • Effective Goal Setting for Elite Student-Athletes
  • Breaking Free of Limiting Behaviors: Fear of Failure, Letting Go of Mistakes, Self-Doubt & Negative Thinking
  • Perfect Practice Makes Perfect Performance- The Importance of Mindfulness, Meditation & Imagery
  • Building a Championship Team Mindset: Improving Communication, Unity, and Teamwork
  • Pressure in a Privilege: Leadership Training for Captains

When parents are knowledgeable about “mental game” strategies, young athletes can learn and improve faster. Without even knowing, parents can sometimes be the source of pressure and expectations that may negatively impact an athlete’s performance. One way that parents can be supportive OR unsupportive is through their communication: both verbal and non-verbal. An understanding of simple mental performance strategies and better communication can make an enormous difference in an athlete’s overall well-being.

WORKSHOP TOPICS INCLUDE:

  • Mental Performance- The Most Important Skill No One is Teaching
  • Top 4 Mental Strategies to Maximize Performance
  • Building an Elite Mindset by Improving Your Confidence

Student Athletes and Mental Wellness

Student-athletes face unique mental health challenges, balancing demanding schedules and high expectations. The intense environment of intercollegiate athletics can lead to stress and limited personal time. This pressure often impacts performance and well-being.

Recognizing this gap, ALL IN Counseling & Mental Performance Coaching was created by Dr. Larkin to support athletes of all ages in Massachusetts, aiming to enhance their mental resilience.

“As an elite high school swimmer, I’ve learned that the true competition happens in my mind—overcoming doubts and negative thoughts, pushing through pain, and believing in every ounce of effort I put in. The pool is my battlefield, and mental resilience is my greatest weapon.”

Anna McCarthy
Bourne High School – Class of 2025