Performance Therapy for Athletes
Performance therapy for athletes
Perform in competition the way you do in training.
Practical, neuroscience-based work for athletes whose nerves, overthinking or a setback are getting between them and their best. One-to-one on Zoom, wherever you train.
Whether you're a weekend warrior or a professional athlete, I can help.
Why it happens
Your ability isn't the problem.
In training it flows. Then it's fight night, a heat, a start line or match point, and your body tightens, your breathing goes shallow and your head gets loud.
That's your nervous system reading pressure as threat. When it does, resources shift away from the parts of the brain that plan, focus and time your movement. It isn't a lack of talent or toughness, and it can be trained.
What we work on
Built around your sport and your moments.
Pre-competition nerves
Settle your body before the start, so your preparation shows up when it counts.
Overthinking and focus
Quiet the commentary and stay with the next point, wave, round or rep.
Resetting after a mistake
Recover quickly instead of carrying one error into the rest of the performance.
Confidence after injury or a crash
Rebuild trust in your body when a setback keeps replaying.
Routines that hold under pressure
A repeatable pre-performance routine you can run on autopilot.
Stepping up a level
Stay composed when the stakes, the crowd or the competition get bigger.
1:1 performance therapy
Hypnotherapy, CBT and neuroscience, applied to your sport.
Hypnotherapy works in a focused, relaxed state where your brain is more open to new patterns, so you can rehearse calm, confident performance until it becomes your automatic response. CBT gives you practical tools for competition day. For a bad crash or a deeper block, I also use EMDR.
1 session
$170
4 sessions
$595
6 sessions
$830
8 sessions
$1,050
About Savanna
I know pressure from the inside.
I'm Savanna Stirling, a performance therapist and international-level athlete. I compete at 4★ FEI level in eventing, and I've done the study to understand exactly what happens in an athlete's brain when the pressure goes up.
I've worked with athletes in boxing, surfing, BMX, running, tennis and equestrian sport, as well as with teams. The sport changes. The way the nervous system responds to pressure doesn't, so whatever you compete in, the work applies.
Questions
Good to know.
Do you work with my sport?
Very likely. The work is built around how your nervous system responds to pressure, so it applies across individual and team sports. If you're unsure, ask in your free chat.
Are sessions online?
Yes. All sessions are on Zoom, so you can work with me from anywhere and around your training.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on your goals. Many athletes notice a shift within 4 to 6 sessions, and packages bring the cost per session down.
Do you work with young athletes?
Yes. Athletes under 16 need a parent or guardian's consent before we start.
Is this therapy for anxiety outside sport?
The same tools help with anxiety and pressure in everyday life. Read about anxiety and performance therapy.
Your next competition starts here
Let's talk about what's getting in the way.
A free 20-minute chat to hear about your sport and your goals, and work out whether we're a good fit.
Book a free 20-minute chat