Justin Martel

“One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.” —Abraham Maslow

I am currently completing the final semester of my PhD in School Psychology at the University of Florida. As a doctoral fellow, I research the interface of mental health and sports psychology services with student-athletes as well as the role of meta-cognition in both performance and therapeutic settings. These topics are both professionally and personally close to my heart as a former Division I athlete and current amateur golfer. These opportunities have allowed me to reflect on my personal growth as both a person and an athlete and have provided me with the requisite knowledge to guide clients towards growth.  In addition to my pursuit of clinical licensure as a psychologist, I am also working towards a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) through the Association of Applied Sports Psychology (AASP). I find freedom and solace in the outdoors and can usually be found spending time playing with our Labrador, strength training, and improving my golf game.

Individual Counseling

I believe we all possess inner capabilities that will lead toward growth but that environmental and contextual factors can act as barriers in its pursuit. Through exploring inner experience, setting goals, and engaging with discomfort we can identify and move past those roadblocks. I work primarily from a client-centered and humanistic perspective with empathy and trust as a foundation of the therapeutic relationship. Once rapport is established, true growth begins. My work with every client centers around their present goals and concerns. From there, we can consider the impact of past relationships and experiences, as well as our values.  in their lives, regardless of their circumstances. My hope is that clients will leave therapy with a better understanding of themselves, and feeling a clearer sense of direction in their lives. 

 Sports Psychology Services

 Similar to my therapeutic approach, my services in sport psychology rely heavily on the openness and transparency of the relationship and goal-oriented change. As a former collegiate athlete, I understand the rigors and demands of elite athletics and use a client-centered approach to help my athletes identify potential barriers to the various performance  issues they may be facing. Some of the most common barriers include performance anxiety, motivational decline, negative self-esteem/beliefs, and attentional issues. empowering my clients to recognize their autonomy in making choices aligned with their values. I enjoy working with athletes and performers across all domains and recognize that peak psychological performance characteristics do not discriminate between sports.