Patrick Cohn

Dr. Patrick Cohn is an expert mental performance coach who has helped athletes for over 30 years enhance their performance. Dr. Cohn earned a master's degree in sports psychology from CSUF and a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, specializing in Applied Sports Psychology.

How to Turn Mistakes Into Success

How to Manage Mistakes

Turning Athletic Failure Into Growth Summary: How an athlete responds to failure shapes future performance. Viewing mistakes as learning opportunities and focusing on improvement allows setbacks to fuel growth rather than discourage effort. Studying successful athletes and modeling their techniques helps refine skills. A positive mindset toward failure turns past losses into motivation for long-term … Sport Psychology Article>>

How to Visualize Your Upcoming Performance

How to Visualize Your Upcoming Performance

One Method to Be Mentally Prepared Summary: Anxiety before competition often stems from uncertainty about the event. Visualization helps athletes mentally rehearse every aspect of performance, from arrival to warm-up to execution, reducing stress and building confidence. Immersing all senses in the mental rehearsal strengthens focus and trust in skills. Accepting that real performance may … Sport Psychology Article>>

What’s the Best Program for My Young Athlete?

Sport Psychology for Young Athletes

Mental Training Programs For Young Athletes Summary: Young athletes often struggle with confidence, focus, and mental toughness, which can lead to underperformance in games. Common challenges include fear of failure, perfectionism, frustration, distraction, and negative self-talk. Targeted mental training can help children build confidence, maintain focus during competition, and manage emotions effectively. A sports mom … Sport Psychology Article>>

How to Avoid The Need For Social Approval

How to Avoid The Need For Social Approval

Do You Worry About What Others Think? Summary: Athletes often feel pressure to prove themselves to coaches, teammates, parents, and fans, seeking validation from others. This focus on external approval can create tension, anxiety, and decreased performance. True mental strength comes from shifting focus inward—playing for yourself, valuing the process over results, and building self-respect. … Sport Psychology Article>>

Your Mental Toughness and Returning From an Injury

Emotions and Returning From an Injury

Control Your Emotions Returning From an Injury Summary: Returning from injury brings a mix of emotions that can affect both recovery and performance. Fear, anxiety, impatience, and pressure increase the risk of re-injury, while excitement and happiness can also cause athletes to lose focus. Managing these emotions is critical to making a successful comeback. Coming … Sport Psychology Article>>

How to Perform in Clutch Game-Time Moments

How to Be Clutch Like Portland’s Damian Lillard Summary: Being clutch in sports means performing under pressure without fear of the outcome. Many athletes struggle in high-pressure moments because they worry about results, which increases nerves and hurts performance. Calm athletes who focus on the process rather than the outcome are more likely to succeed. … Sport Psychology Article>>