Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does a 'sport psychologist' actually do?
A: The short answer is we teach mental skills to help performers’ brains (minds) to work for them and not against them. Most performers' worst enemy is themselves.
Q: What type of sessions do you offer?
A: We have three main ways of taking advantage of our sport and performance psychology services. For a summary please see our services page.
Q: What's the difference between a 'sport psychologist' and a 'mind coach'?
A: Sport psychologists are first and foremost psychologists so not only are they highly regulated but they also had to spend a minimum of 6 years in higher education to obtain their licence. A mind coach is anyone who wants to call him or herself one. Unfortunately there are a lot of "cowboys" out there - be careful!
Q: I don't have any problems - why would I want to see a psychologist?
A: You might be thinking of clinical psychologists who help people with mental disorders. Sport psychologists are very different and the best way to think of us is like we're specialist coaches that focus only on the mental side.
Q: How many sessions will I need and how often?
A: This all depends on you, your sport, your ambitions and your challenges. Having said that great effort is put into trying to achieve maximum gains in the shortest space of time possible.
Q: What sports do your sport psychologists have experience working with?
A: We've worked across most sports and performing arts - 29 at the last count. Although all of our sport psychologists have an excellent understanding of most sports the areas we target as common mental challenges and so even if you're the first client who plays a particularly rare sport we'll still be able to help. Having said the areas we've done most of our work until now is with golf, tennis, track and field athletics, cricket, boxing and the combat sports, swimming, Rugby League, Rugby Union, AFL, soccer and dancing.
Q: Can I speak with one of your current / former clients?
A: Unfortunately not as there is the highest level of confidentiality between a psychologist and those they work with. Having said that some of our clients have allowed up to put their feedback onto the testimonials page of the website.
Q: How important are these 'mental skills' and how do I know they really work?
A: In summary, the psychological or mental side of performance is as important as the physical and technical sides. However mental skills training is often the one that is ignored which means those that take it seriously have the most to gain in terms of improving their performance. The techniques we use are recommended by the best and most recent psychological research. There is no guesswork involved in what we do.
Q: Can I speak to someone before booking in for my first session?
A: Yes, by all means call our office on (02) 9283 1310 and if one of our sport psychologists is free to take your call you can ask as many questions as we have time to answer. If not leave a message and one of us will call you back.
Q: Can I claim the session fees back with my health fund?
A: Maybe. We are registered with all major health funds and the amount you can claim back will depend on which fund you are will and what level of cover you have. Please ask them for more information.
Q: I'd like to book a session, what do I do?
A: For new enquiries please call or email us using the details on the contact us page. If you've already spoken to one of the Condor Performance Sport Psychologists either in person, on the phone or via email then please book your next session directly with him or her.
Q: Do you have a cancellation policy?
A: Sessions cancelled less than 24 hours before they take place will still be charged at 50% whereby those cancelled more than 24 hours before the session can be rearranged without penalty.
Q: How long do I get to use the session I've paid for?
A: If you've already started working with a psychologist you must use your sessions within 6 months. If you are yet to start working with your sport psychologist then you may apply for a 50% refund on the paid amount within 6 months of making the payment. No refund will be possible 6 months after you made the payment.
Q: Do you offer 2 year supervision programs for intern psychologists wishing to become 'sport psychologists'?
A: Yes, for information have a look at our supervision page.
Q: I heard you could help those who struggle with their weight. Is this true?
A: Yes, many of the mental skills we use with our performers work equally as well with the challenge of controlling ones' body weight. For more information please see our weight control page.