Athlete Mental Health and Performance Optimization The
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Athlete Mental Health
and Performance
Optimization
The Optimum Performance Program for
Sports (TOPPS)
Bradley Donohue
Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada,
United States
Joanne Perry
Novant Health Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute in Charlotte,
North Carolina, United States
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Acquisitions Editor: Nikki P. Levy
Editorial Project Manager: Franchezca A. Cabural
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Typeset by MPS Limited, Chennai, India
Contents
About the authors xi
Foreword xiii
Preface xv
Acknowledgments xxi
1. Creating an optimization culture and infrastructure
within the system 1
Chapter summary 1
Chapter highlights 1
Building TOPPS infrastructure 1
Implementation settings 1
Establishing athlete referrals to TOPPS 2
Engaging athletes in TOPPS 4
Beginning work with athletes and their supportive others: The content
of TOPPS performance meetings 6
Determining which performance intervention protocols
to implement 9
Structure of each performance intervention 10
How prompting checklists guide implementation of
performance interventions 11
Assess the integrity of performance intervention integrity 12
How athletes and optimizers rate the quality of intervention
implementation 13
Methods of learning TOPPS protocols 14
Optimization (supervision) meetings and case management 14
Record keeping 15
Method of maintaining quality assurance of athlete’s case records 17
Optimal organization of this intervention manual 18
Appendix A.1 TOPPS promotional pamphlet example 19
Appendix A.2 Semistructured interviews addressing culture 20
Appendix A.3 Intervention integrity review form 23
Appendix A.4 Case presentation prompting checklist 24
Appendix A.5 Initial case presentation form 25
Appendix A.6 Ongoing case review form 26
Appendix A.7 Table of contents form 27
Appendix A.8 Log of contacts form 28
v
vi Contents
Appendix A.9 Standardized performance intervention
progress notes 29
Appendix A.10 Outstanding progress notes 30
Appendix A.11 Monitoring form to optimize record keeping 31
References 31
2. Therapeutic style and implementation strategies 33
Chapter summary 33
Chapter highlights 33
Therapeutic style of TOPPS optimizers 33
Focus on actions and thoughts that facilitate
performance optimization 33
Learn by doing 36
Optimize the effectiveness of assignments 37
Utilize telephone texting between meetings 38
Concluding remarks 38
3. Mental health and sport performance screens/
assessments 39
Chapter summary 39
Chapter highlights 39
Mental health and sport performance screening/assessment 39
Description of the sport interference checklist 39
Interpretation of the sport interference checklist 40
Comprehensive assessment 41
Appendix 3A Sport Interference Checklist (SIC) 42
References 42
4. Orienting athletes and their supportive others to
performance optimization 43
Chapter summary 43
Chapter highlights 43
Program overview 43
Performance philosophy protocol 45
Performance optimization assessment protocol 47
Supportive other engagement 48
Rationale and overview 48
Supportive other engagement protocol 49
Appendix A.1 Performance orientation: Detailed protocol
checklist (For beginners) 51
Appendix A.2 Performance orientation: Summary checklist
(For Experts) 53
Appendix A.3 Performance triangle and performance
optimization scale handout 54
Contents vii
Appendix A.4 Optimize it handout 55
Appendix A.5 Performance timeline worksheet 56
Appendix A.6 Supportive other acknowledgment checklist 57
Appendix A.7 Supportive other information and release to a
contact form 58
References 59
5. Performance meeting agendas and preparation for
optimum performance mindset 61
Chapter summary 61
Chapter highlights 61
Introducing performance meeting agendas 61
Steps for implementation 62
Step 1: Preparing the meeting agenda (athlete and supportive others) 62
Step 2: Establishing the meeting agenda 63
Step 3: Examination of past week’s optimum mindset (optional) 64
Step 4: Preparation of the optimum mindset for important future
event (optional) 65
Final thoughts 67
6. Determining the performance plan 69
Chapter summary 69
Chapter highlights 69
Introducing performance planning 69
Steps for implementing the performance plan 70
Performance planning: Detailed protocol checklist for beginners 73
Performance planning: Summary checklist for experts 74
Appendix 6A Performance priority worksheet 75
7. Dynamic goals and rewards 77
Chapter summary 77
Chapter highlights 77
Introducing dynamic goals 77
Steps for implementation 78
Initial meeting 78
Future meetings 80
Final thoughts 82
Dynamic goals: Detailed protocol checklist for beginners 83
Dynamic goals: Summary checklist for experts 84
Appendix 7A Dynamic goals worksheet 85
8. Establishing optimal motivation 87
Chapter summary 87
Chapter highlights 87
viii Contents
Introducing goal inspiration 87
Steps for implementation 87
Step 1: Introduction and rationale 87
Step 2: Review dynamic goals worksheet 88
Step 3: Motivational worksheet for goal achievement 89
Final thoughts 92
Goal inspiration: Detailed protocol checklist for beginners 93
Goal inspiration: Summary checklist for experts 94
Appendix 8A Motivational worksheet for goal achievement 96
Appendix 8A Motivational worksheet for goal achievement 97
9. Optimizing relationships with appreciation
and gratitude 99
Chapter highlights 99
Introducing appreciation exchange 99
Steps for implementation 100
Step 1: Introduction and rationale 100
Step 2: Appreciation worksheet 100
Step 3: Positive statement exchange 101
Step 4: Repeat process for supportive other(s) 102
Step 5: Assign homework 102
Step 6: Review homework 103
Final thoughts 103
Appreciation exchange: Detailed protocol checklist for beginners 104
Appreciation exchange: Summary checklist for experts 106
Appendix 9A Appreciation worksheet 107
Appendix 9B Appreciation assignment sheet 108
References 109
10. Optimizing communication with positive requests 111
Chapter highlights 111
Introducing positive requests 111
Steps for implementation 112
Final thoughts 115
Positive request: Detailed protocol checklist for beginners 116
Positive request: Summary checklist for experts 118
Appendix 10A Positive request handout 119
Appendix 10B Positive request practice assignment 120
Appendix 10B Positive request practice assignment (Example) 121
11. Optimizing the environment 123
Chapter highlights 123
Introducing environmental control 123
Steps for implementation 124
Environmental control: Detailed protocol checklist for beginners 131
Contents ix
Environmental control: Summary checklist for experts 133
Appendix 11A Goal-consistent and inconsistent cues list 135
Appendix 11B Strategies for cues list 136
Appendix 11C Things to do and places I like to visit 137
Appendix 11D Things that may interfere with goals list 138
Appendix 11E Invitation for fun 139
12. Establishing optimal self-control 141
Chapter highlights 141
Introducing self-control 141
Steps for implementation 141
Self-control: Detailed protocol checklist for beginners 148
Self-control: Summary checklist for experts 151
Appendix 12A Self-control rating form 152
13. Helping the dream job come to fruition 153
Chapter summary 153
Chapter highlights 153
Introducing dream job development 153
Steps for implementation: Dream job development 154
Steps for implementation: Job-getting skills 155
Concluding remarks 161
Dream job development: Detailed protocol checklist
for beginners 163
Dream job development: Summary checklist for experts 164
Job getting skills training: Detailed protocol checklist for beginners 165
Job getting skills: Summary checklist for experts 167
Appendix 13A Job club: Interviewing skills worksheet 168
14. Optimizing financial management 169
Chapter summary 169
Chapter highlights 169
Introducing financial management 169
Steps for implementation 170
Financial management: Detailed protocol checklist for beginners 173
Financial management: Summary checklist for experts 174
Appendix 14A Financial management worksheet 175
15. Concluding performance programming and planning
for lifetime optimization 177
Chapter summary 177
Chapter highlights 177
Provider goals for intervention 177
Material required 177
x Contents
Procedural steps for concluding performance programming
implementation 178
Rationale 178
Reviewing strengths 178
Exchange of positive remarks 178
Last performance meeting: Future performance optimization
provider prompting checklist for beginners and experts 179
Index 181
About the authors
Bradley Donohue, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psy-
chologist and Distinguished Alumni of Nova
Southeastern University. He is a Distinguished
Professor in the Psychology Department and
Director of The Optimum Performance Program at
the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. With a recent
focus on optimization science, his applied research
is chiefly focused on the scientific development,
evaluation, and dissemination of optimization pro-
grams, including engagement, assessment, and
intervention methods. He also oversees the delivery
of mental wellness and performance-based services, including training initia-
tives that are focused on the optimization of performers in unique cultures
with specialized skill sets. He is the author of more than 160 scientific manu-
scripts and has directed projects funded by the National Institute on Drug
Abuse (NIDA), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), and Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in the United
States. He has been invited to present applied research specific to TOPPS
throughout Europe, Brazil, Canada, and the United States, and is the recipient
of various awards, including the “Harry Reid Silver State Research Award,”
“James Mikawa Award for Outstanding Contributions to Psychology Award,”
“Donald Schmeidel Lifetime Service Award,” and “Barrick Distinguished
Scholar Award.” Specific to sports, he is a past national amateur light heavy-
weight boxing champion in the United States.
Joanne Perry, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist who
serves as the Director of Orthopedic Psychology
within the Novant Health Orthopedic and Sports
Medicine Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina,
United States. In her role at Novant Health,
Dr. Perry provides clinical and sport psychological
services to orthopedic and sports medicine patients,
while also overseeing program initiatives, research,
and partnerships. Dr. Perry serves as the team psy-
chologist for the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte
xi
xii About the authors
Hornets, as well as the consulting sport psychologist for Queens University.
Her clinical specialties broadly include athlete mental health and sport perfor-
mance enhancement. Prior to her role at Novant Health, she worked as the
sport psychologist at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she
delivered clinical and sport psychological interventions to student athletes.
Dr. Perry completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Pepperdine
University and attended Saint Louis University for both her Master’s and
Doctoral degrees in clinical psychology. Following her graduate work, she
completed a predoctoral internship at Northwestern University with a specialty
focus in sport psychology. Dr. Perry has published on a variety of topics
within the field of sport psychology, including studies that are explicitly rele-
vant to TOPPS. She focuses on applied research.
Foreword
Athlete Mental Health and Performance Optimization: The Optimum
Performance Program for Sports (TOPPS) is a must read for those who care
for the mental health of athletes. The authors make a substantial thought-
provoking contribution to the psychological science of how performance
optimization techniques can be applied to support athlete’s mental health,
sport performance, and everyday functioning. The reader will be introduced
to the culture of competitive sport and how athletes thrive to balance per-
forming well with being well. The authors advocate how best to clinically
support athletes in their world of sport, describe sport-specific psychometric
assessment using validated tools, and importantly take a sport-considered
approach when intervening to support athletes. What makes this book stand
out from others in the field of mental health and sport is that in addition to
being supported by several controlled evaluation studies, The Optimum
Performance Program in Sports (TOPPS) program is based on Family
Behavior Therapy that has been a subject to several randomized controlled
trials, giving the reader confidence in the program and the content.
A major factor in the continuing evolution of the field of sport and per-
formance psychology is better recognition of the role that mental health
plays in competitive sport (Henriksen et al., 2020). Best practice guidelines
recognized by sport psychology organizations, such as the Society for Sport,
Exercise, and Performance Psychology and the Association for Applied
Sport Psychology, recommend that those working in the psychology of sport
follow evidence-based principles in their applied work. Until now a standard-
ized and integrated individual and organizational evidence-based approach to
assessment, intervention, and maintenance for athlete mental health and per-
formance was lacking in our field, but the TOPPS program fills that void.
By following the clearly presented assessment and intervention guidance
presented herein, practitioners can be confident in their ability to implement
evidence- and theory-based interventions suitable to their specific sport set-
ting, population, and purpose. The assessment tools included in this text,
such as the Sport Interference Checklist, encourage practitioners to utilize
culturally and psychometrically appropriate assessments in their sport and
performance work. Developing an understanding of the complex organiza-
tional dynamics within sport and performance environments and systems
which facilitates effective practice is a challenging undertaking for even
xiii
xiv Foreword
experienced practitioners, but the TOPPS approach offers a rigorous yet
straightforward path to attaining successful outcomes.
This book is a first of its kind providing a step-by-step manual of how to
support youth and adult mental illness for athletes and high performers. We
have no doubt that this book will make an excellent contribution to psychol-
ogy training that in turn will improve the lives of our current and next gener-
ation of elite sports people.
Dr. Gavin Breslin
Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology, School of Psychology,
Ulster University.
Chief Assessor for The Qualification in Sport and Exercise Psychology,
British Psychological Society.
Author of Mental Health and Wellbeing Interventions in Sport: Research,
Theory and Practice (Routledge 2019), Practitioner Case Studies in Sport
and Exercise Psychology (Wiley, 2016) and Understanding Sport Psychology
(SAGE, 2021).
Shane Murphy, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology, Western Connecticut State University, Danbury
Author of The Oxford Handbook of Sport and Performance Psychology
(Oxford University Press, 2012); The Sport Psych Handbook (Human
Kinetics, 2005); and Sport Psychology Interventions (Human Kinetics,
1995).
Reference
Henriksen, K., et al. (2020). Athlete mental health in the Olympic/Paralympic quadrennium: A
multi-societal consensus statement. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology,
18, 391 408. Available from https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2020.1746379.
