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Top Questions To Ask A Certified Mental Performance Consultant Before Your First Session

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Preparing for your first session with a certified mental performance consultant can make the difference between vague hopes and measurable progress. This guide lists the key questions to ask about credentials, assessment, session structure, outcomes, and practical logistics so you can choose the right consultant and get results.
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Strike Zone Performance

Get clear on your goals with Ashley Strike

Your first meeting with a mental performance consultant sets the tone for progress. Asking the right questions up front helps you understand how the consultant works, whether they have experience with athletes like you, and what a successful outcome looks like. Use this guide to prepare concise questions so you leave the first session with a clear plan and realistic expectations.

Questions about credentials, experience, and approach

Start by confirming the consultant’s qualifications and whether their approach fits your needs. Credentials and relevant experience matter because mental performance work should be grounded in evidence-based methods and sport-specific experience.

Ask these practical questions:

  • Are you a Certified Mental Performance Consultant and which certification did you obtain?
  • How much experience do you have working with athletes in my sport and at my competition level?
  • What evidence-based methods or mental skills do you typically use (for example, goal-setting, imagery, arousal regulation, attention control)?
  • How do you handle confidentiality, consent, and ethical issues with individual athletes and teams?

Questions about assessment, session structure, and measurement

Understanding how the consultant assesses needs and measures progress will tell you whether they can deliver measurable improvements. A solid assessment process leads to a tailored plan and clear milestones.

Key operational questions to ask:

  • What does an initial assessment look like and how long does it take?
  • Will you provide a written plan or goals after the first session and how will progress be tracked?
  • How are individual sessions structured and what should I expect to do between sessions (homework, practice, tracking)?
  • Do you offer in-person, online, or hybrid sessions and do you work with both individual athletes and teams across Canada?

How to use the answers to choose the right consultant

Compare responses based on how specific, practical, and athlete-focused they are. A consultant who explains clear assessment steps, measurable goals, a timeline for change, and sport-specific experience is more likely to deliver results. If a consultant can give examples of past outcomes (without breaking confidentiality), that can be a strong indicator of their ability to help you achieve similar gains.

Before you book, confirm logistics like fees, cancellation policy, and availability so there are no surprises. Preparing these questions before your first session will make your time together more efficient and productive.

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Work with Ashley Strike at Strike Zone Performance to start improving mental performance

Strike Zone Performance offers focused mental performance consulting for athletes and teams across Canada. If you want a consultant who will assess your needs, create measurable goals, and provide practical mental skills training, reach out to strikezoneperformance.ca to schedule a consultation. Asking the questions in this guide during your first session will help you get a clear plan and begin making progress right away.

Ready to get started? Contact us today to find out how a certified mental performance consultant can support your training, competition readiness, and long-term development across Canada.

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Certified Mental Performance Consultant

About Ashley Strike

“I’ve been immersed in sport for as long as I can remember. Like many athletes, I was introduced early—starting in figure skating before finding my way to hockey at age nine. I played boys’ hockey until I was 13, eventually transitioning into competitive girls’ hockey. As a shorter athlete, I constantly felt the need to prove myself. That mindset shaped me into a relentless worker, always striving to be the hardest-working player on the ice—but it also led to a habit of focusing only on what I lacked, rather than what I was doing well.

Looking for a new challenge, I made the transition to rugby. I was drawn to the sport’s inclusivity and the way it celebrates different body types and skill sets. It felt like an opportunity to unlock a new version of myself. However, I quickly realized that my biggest obstacle wasn’t the sport—it was my mindset. Perfectionism, self-doubt, and harsh self-criticism followed me, often showing up most intensely in competition. While I performed confidently in practice, game situations triggered doubt and negative self-talk that held me back.

Eventually, I reached a turning point. I recognized that my internal dialogue was limiting my potential, and I made the decision to address it. In my second year, I began working with a sport psychology student who helped me identify the mental barriers I had created. That experience was transformative. I learned how to reframe my thinking, let go of mistakes, and compete with freedom and confidence. For the first time, I was playing the way I knew I was capable of.

That shift didn’t just change how I felt—it changed my performance. During my university career, our team went from a fourth-place finish to winning the RESEQ championship twice and competing at Nationals. I was also selected to the Quebec Provincial Women’s Rugby Program, where I competed for ten years alongside athletes who went on to represent Canada. None of that would have been possible without investing in my mental development.

One of the most valuable lessons rugby taught me was adaptability. In one season, I played multiple positions to meet the needs of the team. That experience challenged me to put ego aside, embrace versatility, and deepen my understanding of the game. What once felt like weaknesses—my attention to detail and critical mindset—became strengths when applied constructively. I learned to stay present, trust my abilities, and respond effectively to whatever the game demanded.

Today, that journey fuels my passion for helping other athletes. I know firsthand how powerful mindset can be—not just in performance, but in personal growth. I work with athletes to develop self-awareness, build confidence, and navigate the challenges that come with high-level sport. Because ultimately, it’s not just about talent—it’s about how you respond when things don’t go your way.”

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