About mental skills development and performance psychology
My professional journey
• Arranged art exhibitions at the Center of Oncology and Hematology
• Established a library for children and adults within the branches of the Center of Oncology and Hematology
• Organized and facilitated rehabilitation sessions for children at a summer camp
• Conducted fundraising efforts for children with cancer under the “Save Life” initiative
Children’s Hospital, Vladivostok, Russia
• Developed and conducted training sessions on AIDS prevention and drug abuse prevention
“Jizn” Youth Public Organization, Vladivostok, Russian Federation
My Experience & Curiosity
My journey in the field of mental health began in 2008 when I graduated with a Master’s degree in clinical psychology. Over the years, I have gained diverse experience working in hospital settings, social services, and group settings. Currently, I am in private practice, providing mental health counseling. This extensive experience has deepened my understanding of the human mind.
My interest in sports psychology was sparked in a personal context. While watching my husband’s ice hockey games, I became curious about the sometimes obvious differences in how the game was played, even when other factors like skill level and team makeup stayed the same. This curiosity led me to read extensively on the subject and eventually pursue a career in sports psychology. To deepen my understanding, I also started playing hockey myself.
My Approach
Based on my experience, mindset is one of the most crucial factors—everything else stems from developing a mindset that filters reality into a specific perception. I focus on adjusting the mindset to suit the client’s current needs, goals, and real-world situation. For instance, we might analyze both intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors and work on shifting emphasis toward the more powerful intrinsic motivation. Although both types usually coexist, stronger intrinsic motivation tends to lead to better results.
What resonates most with me about elite-level competition is this: when athletes reach the top tiers, their physical skills and equipment quality are all honed to near perfection. Since these factors become fairly equal, what sets the winners apart from the rest mainly comes down to mental skills.
My perspective
I believe mental skills should be developed alongside overall player growth, not considered an afterthought when issues emerge. I offer workshops for parents and young players to foster mental skills from an early age. I firmly believe that when we listen to ourselves, set goals, and work toward what matters to us, we tend to be happier overall. There’s no guarantee we’ll reach exactly where we plan – sometimes goals change, priorities shift, and we can always adjust – but in the end, when we look back, we understand why we made certain choices and what they meant for us.
Having experienced the challenges of cultural adaptation firsthand, I understand the impact it can have on performance. Moving to a new country, adapting to different coaching styles, dealing with communication barriers, and managing homesickness are significant hurdles.
I am here to provide the support and understanding that is often overlooked in traditional sports psychology approaches.Yulia Tsarenko CareyLicensed Professional Counselor in the state of Oregon
MS Clinical Psychology
MS Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology
