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Rutgers Behavioral Health & Sport Psychology

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If You Feel Like You Are Experiencing Any Symptoms Or Have Any Concerns About Yourself Or Those Around You  

 

  1. Contact a coach, athletic trainer or staff
  2. Call the APC at 732-445-6258
  3. Call CAPS at 848-932-7884
Mental Health Resource Phone Numbers

MISSION

The Rutgers Sport Psychology Program is a resource for student-athletes, coaches, athletic administrators, and staff meeting the psychological challenges of competing at the highest levels. The primary purpose of the Rutgers Sport Psychology Program is to treat, educate, and support student-athletes to effectively manage the challenges of being a division one athlete. We are integrative and holistically treat students-athletes with sports medicine, athletic training, nutrition, strength and conditioning, and academic advising supporting the athletic success through confidential, specialized, and evidence-based services available through the Athletic Performance Center (APC).

 

Rutgers University Sport Psychology, along with the Big Ten mental wellness initiatives, emphasizes the promotion of mental health among student-athletes, coaches, athletic administrators, and staff. The Rutgers Athletic Department strives to be a leader in developing innovative support services to meet the demanding needs of Division I competition. Our team of clinicians integrates Rutgers athletics core values into primary services helping student-athletes.

RUTGERS ATHLETICS CORE VALUES

Excellence

Integrity

Respect

Accountability

Grit

CLINICAL TEAM

2025-26 Sports Psychology & Behavioral Health Staff Chart

MENTAL WELLNESS

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We Are All Part of the Statistic

Mental health concerns can impact 1 in 4 people. Approximately 33% of all college athletes experience significant symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions. Of which, eating disorders are experienced by 62% of female athletes and 33% of male athletes at some point in their lives. Thirteen percent of the athlete population experiences symptoms of trauma. Alcohol and substance use disorders make up 11.4% of mental health issues in athletes.

And the list goes on… Of the athlete percentage experiencing mental health issues, only 11% of athletes seek professional help. We are here to help and to change this statistic!

What is Mental Fitness?

Mental fitness is when you feel on top of your game, you are able to focus to a point of producing success in practice, competition, and the classroom.

Mental fitness also promotes awareness when something is bothering you to the point of being unable to perform at the top of your game. This may be for a short while, or longer.

What makes an elite athlete? We are more than just athletes. Being an elite athlete requires physical training, nutrition, sleep hygiene, absence of harmful substances, healthy relationships, balance, mental skills, and much more. Mental wellness is a tool that can be utilized to reach optimum athletic performance.

In fact, a lack of mental fitness can increase the chance of injury, tiredness, and burnout. Because of this, we place mental wellness as a priority to elite performance - this means knowing when you need help, knowing how to prevent mental illness and how to keep up good mental fitness. By being proactive about all aspects of your health, you will be enhancing your quality of training and performance as a fierce competitor and as a competitive team.

Being open to talking about mental health is a strength. We should talk about mental health the same way we talk about physical health.

Signs Your Mental Wellness May Need Some Training

If you feel any of the following symptoms, call the RWJ Barnabas Health Athletic Performance Center (APC) at Rutgers University: 732 445-6258 to schedule an appointment with one of our clinicians. If it is a medical emergency, you should call 911.

DEPRESSION

  • Loss of interest in things once pleasurable
  • Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings
  • Feelings of hopelessness
  • Lack of appetite


ANXIETY

  • Having a sense of impending danger, panic, or doom
  • Panic attacks creating avoidance of situations
  • Increased heart rate, sweating, and GI issues
  • Irrational fear


DISORDERED EATING

  • Preoccupation with gaining/losing weight
  • Restricting/overeating
  • Anxiety about eating


TRAUMA

  • Re-experiencing a traumatic event through intrusive distressing recollections of the event, flashbacks, and nightmares.
  • Emotional numbness and avoidance of places, people, and activities that are reminders of the trauma.


SUBSTANCE USE

  • Overuse and Abuse of substances
  • Difficulty cutting down on the behavior
  • Preoccupation with addiction


BURNOUT

  • State of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress
  • Feeling overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands

OUR SERVICES

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  • INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT

Mental health counseling promotes positive individual coping and mental skills development

  • GROUP TREATMENT 

Topics vary and include mindfulness, injury recovery and more

  • TEAM WORKSHOPS

Promote group cohesion, healthy communication, well-being, mindfulness, and much more

  • REFERRALS

Access to a vast network of specialists and clinics to best support and enhance each student-athlete experience

  • INTERDISCIPLINARY TREATMENT

Working across disciplines to promote healthy, above-average well-being

  • TRAINING

Activities for coaches, administration, and staff on diverse topics

  • SUBSTANCE USE ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT

In conjunction with the Center for Alcohol and Substance Use Studies (CAS) at Rutgers University

RESOURCES

Emergency Hotlines

 

  • Suicide Prevention Hotline: 988
  • Sexual Assault Hotline: - 1-800-656-4673
  • Domestic Violence Hotline:  1-800-799-7233
  • Substance Abuse Hotline: 1-800-662-4357
  • Self-Harm Text Line: Text "CONNECT" TO 74174

On Campus Resources

 

Rutgers Sport Psychology at the APC

The Athletic Performance Center (APC) at Rutgers University houses Rutgers Sport Health program, including the behavioral health and sport psychology. We provide a range of resources including individual therapy, performance enhancement, team trainings, and more. The Behavioral Health program at the APC consist of diverse providers at various levels, enhancing the student-athlete experience at Rutgers University.

Phone: 732-445-6258

 

CAPS (Counseling, Alcohol & Other Drug Assistance Program)

CAPS provides comprehensive primary care for all students’ health and wellness needs. Their integrated approach to healthcare is designed to support students’ ability to succeed in their academic, professional, and personal lives; through individual, group, and crisis services.

Phone: 848-932-7884

Visit CAPS Online

HOPE (Health Outreach, Promotion, and Education)

HOPE works to advance health and wellness at Rutgers University through community engagement and innovation. HOPE provides students with tools to advocate for personal and community wellness and serves as an expert resource to faculty and staff. HOPE coordinates a large and active peer education program in which students are trained to facilitate interactive outreach and workshops on issues that directly impact students’ lives.

Phone: 848-932-1965

Email: healthed@rutgers.edu

Visit HOPE Online

The Center for Psychological Services (GSAPP)

The Center for Psychological Services is a state-of-the-art outpatient training center with 11 clinics, providing confidential mental health services for a wide range of populations, disorders, and difficulties. 

Phone: 848-445-6111

Email: clinic@gsapp.rutgers.edu

Visit Center For Psychological Services Online

GSAPP Performance Psychology Center (GPPC)

GPPC, in partnership with Rutgers University Athletics and RWJBarnabas Health, is supervised by faculty of the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology. GPPC offers opportunities to integrate evidence-based practices with student-athletes and other high performers around campus. Training is overseen by certified mental performance consultants and licensed mental health professionals. The GPPC works with high performers from diverse and multicultural contexts and is committed to the science and practice of overall wellbeing.

Email: peter.economou@rutgers.edu

 

Visit GPPC Online

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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Q: What is a typical session like?

A: In a typical clinical session, you meet with your clinician to build a relationship. They will start by asking a lot of personal questions including your family history and background. Also, we will set your treatment goals. Sessions are usually 30-45 minutes.

Q: How long does treatment last?

A: Treatment is short-term, goal-oriented, and depends on your goals. In general, we aim to complete the clinical work within 12-16 sessions.

Q: How much does it cost?

A: As a Rutgers student-athlete, there is no cost. Whether we treat you within our program or refer you to a community provider, we assist in making the best decision based on the origination of your clinical presentation.

Q: How often will I meet with my clinician?

A: Initially, you will meet on a weekly basis, then possibly biweekly, before ending your treatment.

Q: Will my coach and athletic trainer know about my treatment? Will my family know?

A: We maintain confidentiality as licensed practitioners. However, within an interdisciplinary team, we might share attendance with other professionals and/or coaches or athletic trainers. This is only done with your permission and is our standard practice to ensure the highest level of care.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND 

SPORT PSYCHOLOGY INTERNSHIPS

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Behavioral Health and Sport Psychology team offers a variety of training opportunities for undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral students interested in pursuing careers in sport psychology. 

Position Overview

The undergraduate program runs during the summer months (June and July) while the graduate programs run the academic years (beginning in August and ending in June). Postdoctoral positions are calendar year appointments from August-July and have a second-year option.

Training* experiences include but not limited to:
 

  • Psychoeducation on sport psychology topics
  • Individual work with athletes
  • Group work with teams
  • Psychological Assessment (doctoral only): Learning and ADHD evaluations
  • Supervision
  • Coach and athlete wellness
  • Social media development and empirical research (literature reviews)
  • Training in mindfulness, performance, multicultural impact in sport and more

*Training opportunities vary depending on level of experience.

To learn more or apply please click here.

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