Dive into the role of a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC). Learn about certification programs, salary prospects, and the power of mental performance.
Motivation, performance enhancement, and human potential. These are the crucial components of what goes into the goals of someone working in the field of sports psychology, and a certified mental performance consultant is no different in this regard. Building upon a base of academic coursework focusing on how sport psychology and counseling intersect and can be integrated, such as what can be found in University of Western States Sports and Performance Psychology graduate school programs, a certified mental performance consultant career can span a variety of sectors that go beyond the traditional world of sports.
What is the role of a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC)?
Specifically trained to help enhance performance, the roles of a certified mental performance consultant are entirely dependent upon the needs of the patient, this can include the following:
- Reduce performance anxiety
- Improve focus during training and professional games
- Build up self-esteem
- Recover from injuries (with the assistance of a PT)
- Develop and execute an exercise program
In general, the field of sports psychology has grown significantly, as APA reported “In 2018, for instance, a record 27 of 30 MLB teams employed “mental skills coaches” to help players deal with the mental challenges of the game”. This closely follows the larger demand for mental health services in general, with a 2022 issue brief from the Research and Action Institute stating that “the number of adults in need of mental health services rose almost 30% from 2008 to 2019”.
How Much Does a Certified Mental Performance Consultant Make?
The median compensation of a certified mental performance consultant depends on a variety of influences, from work settings to the field of work (such as private practices or university athletics). With this in mind, a 2020 compensation report for mental performance work from the Association for Applied Sport Psychology reports that the median gross annual income is $76,250.
Career Opportunities for CMPCs
Working in sports, coaching, exercise, and wellness, the pathways of a CMPC are diverse, with the potential to work along with a variety of clients from colorful backgrounds.
Sports Teams
Assisting sports players of all ages, from college athletes to professionals is about making sure their training–both physical and mental–is sustainable and productive for their personal development as athletes. A CMPC working with athletes also makes sure to educate them and make sure they are aware that sports are not just physical games, but psychological ones as well, with concentration and self-determination at times defining who wins and who loses a game.
Mental Health Facility
In a facility, a CMPC’s role can include injury recovery, helping people to stay focused during rehabilitation and observing their progress over time, helping to aid them and develop their exercises in an attempt to reduce their downtime and get them back on track.
Corporate World
As stated in the U.S. Surgeon General’s release of the Framework for Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being, “a healthy workforce is the foundation for thriving organizations and healthier communities”. Employers, CEOs, and HR directors have all concluded that the well-being of their employees is crucial to meeting goals and scaling their businesses. CMPCs may be independent consultants who assist individuals one-on-one with their problems, ranging from insecurity at work to anxiety before presentations.
How to Become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant?
The certification process to becoming a CMPC requires six crucial steps, as laid out by the CSPA ACPS before you can start your professional life as a performance consultant:
Obtain Application Materials
These include your CMPC standard application form and record of mentored experience hours logged, plus the course syllabus and your university transcripts, and a mentorship verification form.
Submit Fee and Application Material
The application fee is $300 and can be submitted at appliedsportspsych.org/payment.
Certification Council Reviews the Application
This decision can take up to 10 weeks, and if you are rejected you must revise and resubmit your application.
Register and Prepare for the CMPC Exam
This must be completed within 6 months of your application being accepted by first following the instructions provided to you by the Certification Council, and researching the many available resources to you for studying for the CMPC examination.
Take the CMPC Exam
Upon completion of the CMPC exam, your results will be announced to you. If you fail you must wait 90 days before trying the CMPC examination again.
Collect CEUs and Pay a Yearly Fee
The annual certification fee is $25, and CEUs are to be collected over five years.
Where to Start Learning the Skills of a Mental Performance Consultant?
Integrating sports psychology and counseling starts with a program dedicated to developing not just your academic skills, but also preparing you for a professional career as a certified mental performance consultant. At UWS, there are three programs available for those who want to enter the world of sports psychology, but the Master of Science in Sport and Performance Psychology program (MS SPP) is 100% online and is specifically designed for those who want to become a CMPC through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. With the ability to personalize your curriculum with classes that fit your career goal, your education can be personalized from start to finish, resulting in you not only potentially receiving a master’s degree but also developing the skills necessary for your specific career focus. Want to learn more and see what a degree can do for you and your career? Request info today.