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.

Forbes spoke with Dr. Christopher Stanley about his upcoming role as lead sport and performance psychology consultant at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

University of Western States Professor of Sport and Performance Psychology Christopher Stanley, Ph.D., CMPC, was featured in a recent Forbes article as part of the magazine’s coverage of the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics. Dr. Stanley spoke with sportswriter Manasi Pathak about his role at the Summer Games as lead sport and performance psychology consultant for USA Track & Field (USATF).

The Forbes article notes that Dr. Stanley previously served as USATF’s lead consultant at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo where the team earned seven gold, 12 silver and seven bronze medals. He has been involved with USATF since 2014 and was also their lead consultant at the Outdoor World Championships in Oregon (2022) and Budapest (2023).

In his Q&A with Pathak, Dr. Stanley discusses topics such as the impact of COVID-19 on the 2020 Summer Games, athletes’ mental health challenges, his history with USATF, and what his role will be at the Olympic Games in Paris this year.

“We have a ‘athlete-first’ perspective,” Dr. Stanley says. “Once on the ground, I am there as a resource to support athletes with their mental skill and mental performance needs.”

UWS is proud to see Dr. Stanley’s work receive the spotlight it deserves and for the value of sport performance psychology to be on international display at the Olympic Games.

Read the full Forbes article: “Paris Olympics 2024: Interview With U.S. Track & Field Sports Psychologist Chris Stanley”

Learn more about UWS’ sport and performance psychology program.

This year University of Western States (UWS) celebrates the 120th anniversary of its founding, marking over a century of advancing chiropractic medicine and whole-person health education.

“As we commemorate this important milestone in our university’s history, we reflect on our lasting commitment to the advancement of whole health education focused on caring for the whole person rather than merely treating symptoms,” said Joseph Brimhall, DC, president of University of Western States. “Our institution has played a pivotal role in shaping the professions we serve and advancing careers for thousands of healthcare professionals. This legacy of academic excellence continues to evolve as UWS shapes the future of whole-person health care and education.”

Since its founding in 1904, University of Western States has been at the forefront of innovation and leadership in chiropractic care and hosts the longest-established Doctor of Chiropractic degree program in the Western United States. The university has expanded its academic programs to include naturopathic medicine, functional medicine, clinical nutrition, sports medicine, sport and performance psychology, and clinical mental health counseling. This academic expansion exemplifies the university’s commitment to whole-person health care, recognizing how multiple factors converge to impact the health and wellbeing of individuals, and facilitating the partnership between healthcare professionals and their patients.

UWS has earned an international reputation for high-quality academic programs that prepare students to flourish in their professional endeavors. Student outcome data from 2019-2022 demonstrates that 92% of UWS Doctor of Chiropractic graduates attain licensure within six months of graduation, exceeding the 80% benchmark established by the Council on Chiropractic Education. The university sees similarly high rates of licensure (91%) for graduates of the Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine programs.

Located in Portland, Oregon, the university has cultivated a strong bond with its community, forming reliable partnerships with organizations, universities, and schools to provide whole-person health care for veterans, homeless persons, athletes, students, and the community at large. The university is committed to fostering collaborations that promote the health and well-being of Portland-area residents. From its inception, UWS has offered clinical care to community members through clinics staffed by university faculty and students. Today the UWS Connected Whole Health Clinic, serves more than 15,000 patients per year.

UWS’s more than 7,000 alumni include professionals positively impacting their local communities and individuals, from Olympic-level athletes to technical laborers. This powerful alumni network spans the globe and serves as a testament to the university’s influence and reputation.

In response to disruptive changes in the higher education landscape, in 2023 UWS joined The Community Solution Education System, a national nonprofit system of six universities working collaboratively to advance academic goals, improve infrastructure and support systems, and develop strategies for sustainable growth. The System’s culture of radical cooperation aligns with UWS core values, supports the advancement of interdisciplinary health education, and enhances learning experiences for students.

To celebrate its enduring legacy, UWS is hosting a festive gala at Sentinel Hotel in downtown Portland on September 28, 2024. Alumni, students, trustees, donors, business supporters, community leaders, and dignitaries will be invited to attend.

As University of Western States commemorates its 120th anniversary, the university community looks forward to preparing the next generation of whole-person health care professionals to serve the evolving needs of a diverse and dynamic world.

Visit UWS.edu to learn more about University of Western States and stay up-to-date on its plans to celebrate the milestone anniversary with the community or to explore degree programs in whole-person health care.

In fall 2023, the Dr. Steve Edward Oliver memorial scholarship will be established by his partner of 49 years, Ray Matlock Smythe, BA, MAT, to help ease the financial burden of future chiropractic physicians. This annual $5,000 scholarship will be awarded fall term to one returning student enrolled in the University of Western States doctor of chiropractic program.

“When Steve was a senior at UWS, he spent an entire summer painting all the buildings on campus,” said Smythe. “While he enjoyed it and he made a positive difference, that on top of studying and all the reading he had to do, it really tired him out. The Dr. Steve Edward Oliver memorial scholarship was created not only to honor Steve and his legacy, but to help alleviate stress for a student, so they can focus more on their studies and rest mentally, physically and emotionally during their studies.”

Dr. Oliver, UWS professor emeritus and alumnus (Class of 1975), passed on February 23, 2022. He was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, and attended Jefferson High School, Portland State University, and University of Western States (then Western States Chiropractic College).

Dr. Oliver maintained a private practice in Portland and served as the academic dean of the UWS college of chiropractic, vice president of the university and chiropractic technique instructor. In 1978, at the age of 29, Dr. Oliver was named Chiropractor of the Year for the state of Oregon. He earned professor emeritus status in June 2012. One of Dr. Oliver’s proudest achievements was establishing the Student Health Center at UWS, where students had more opportunities to practice their techniques.

“Steve loved being a chiropractic physician,” said Smythe. “It was the supreme joy and passion of his life and it was truly amazing to witness. He contributed so much to his patients, students, colleagues and everyone around him. It’s an honor to recognize him in this way and I know he would be proud.”

Students can find this and other scholarship opportunities here.

For information on how you can support UWS, visit uws.edu/donate or contact [email protected].