Sport Psychology Training in Scottsdale, AZ

A specialized field within psychology that focuses on athletic performance

Sport Psychology Training

Sport psychology focuses on the mental and emotional aspects of athletic performance, helping athletes perform at their best under pressure. At the Arizona Center for Neurofeedback in Scottsdale, AZ, we offer specialized sport psychology training designed to complement physical training by strengthening the mind.

Our programs teach core mental skills that enhance performance, improve focus and motivation, and support confidence, resilience, and consistency in both training and competition. By applying proven psychological principles, we help athletes and performers overcome mental barriers and reach their full potential.

Unlock the Best You

At the Arizona Center for Neurofeedback, we empower athletes and performers to train their minds with the same dedication they bring to their craft. Through proven mental skills, like goal setting, imagery, relaxation, attention control, energy management, and positive self-talk, we help you build focus, confidence, and resilience.

These skills go beyond performance enhancement, they prepare you for the everyday. We understand that performance anxiety can have a direct impact on athlete physiology. Learn to manage pressure, overcome challenges, and thrive not just in competition, but in every area of life.

How Our Sports Psychology Training Works

Motivation and Goal Setting

Our program assists athletes in setting realistic and motivating goals. They will receive guidance in developing strategies to sustain motivation, especially during challenging periods.

Team Dynamics

We work closely with coaches, parents and athletes to enhance team cohesion, communication, and the support system that ultimately affects the athlete/performer.

Strengthening this support system positively impacts teamwork, communication and the overall performance of the athlete/performer. We have found this approach to be especially important in youth sport.

Hear from Our Performers

    
 
 
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   Staci Hardenbrook 
 170 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. After  a very difficult period in my life, I found falling asleep nearly impossible, regulating my emotions a challenge and rumination constant. I knew that I needed something other than traditional talk therapy to help with these symptoms. I decided to give Neurotherapy, with Dr. Petta, a chance. Brain mapping showed which areas of my brain were over activated, contributing to my symptoms. By my  10’th Neurofeedback session, I was sleeping better than I had in decades. Soon I realized small annoyances were not bothering me so much and the constant rumination had greatly dissipated. Once regulated, I felt ready to talk. Dr. Petta has proven to be a wise and trustworthy counselor. Adding Biofeedback has helped me tackle a life long phobia with blood.  I am could not be happier with the results. This is the best investment I have ever made on myself, worth every penny ! I cannot thank Dr. Petta and her incredible team enough.
  
 
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   Jamie Rae 
 171 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Please believe the sincerity of this review—Dr. Petta is truly a life changer. Over the past 20 years, I’ve seen several therapists, but she has made the biggest impact by far. Through working with her, I discovered my worth (as a middle-aged woman), let go of debilitating negative thought patterns, and learned how to cultivate authenticity and mutual fulfillment in my relationships. The positive changes have been so significant that the people around me have benefited as well. She approaches every problem with empathy and a thoughtful, highly educated action plan that truly works. In every session I felt heard, understood, and supported. She is incredibly intelligent, non-judgmental, and deeply caring. I will forever be grateful for the impact she has had on my life and cannot recommend her highly enough.
  
 
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   Joyce 
 199 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Neurofeedback therapy with Dr. Petta has been making a tremendous improvement in my sleep quality and my quality of life! Dr. Petta is a kind and compassionate provider and her presence is very therapeutic as well. Update on 02/10/2023: Over the course of consistent neurofeedback sessions with Dr. Petta, I have been able reduce my sleep medication dosage significantly while sleeping much longer with better quality, which has improved my health drastically and allowed me to return to work full-time. I highly recommend neurofeedback with Dr. Petta! It has truly given me a new lease on life. Update on 02/24/2026: I have been working with Dr. Petta since 2021 and am extremely grateful for her insight and care. I was experiencing severe dizziness caused by undiagnosed PSVT, which led to repeated falls and ultimately a concussion. She recognized that the dizziness might have a cardiac cause and referred me to a cardiologist. That referral led to the diagnosis of PSVT, a successful ablation procedure, and the additional identification of atrial tachycardia. Her clinical judgment and referral played a critical role in protecting my health. I feel like a brand new person! Highly recommend working with Dr. Petta and her team.
  
 
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   Ellen Bridgewater 
 312 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I came to Dr Petta for help with trauma and PTSD. My son committed suicide February 2023. I had been seeing a a grief counselor for 2 years but I felt  that she took me as far as I could go with her tools and communication.  I needed more help. I wanted to be able to function again in a positive manner. My problems with anxiety and fear had taken over my life. Dr Petta and her staff understood my challenges and utilizing the neurofeedback and bio feedback,  I finally found relief!  I was able to put my life back together and look forward to a more positive future. I am beyond thankful for this treatment and their guidance. Her and her entire staff were always there for me (and still are) and helped fix my broken heart and helped my brain function in a positive manner.   I have become my self again, which I was convinced would never happen. I  utilize the tools that they taught me on a daily basis and have found joy again!    My heart will always miss my son, but I have now finally accepted his passing and I have found a future again. I highly recommend this treatment for anyone who has experienced any type of trauma, PTSD and/or anxiety. It has been a game changer for me and my family.  I will be forever grateful to Dr Petta and her staff!
  
 
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   Mercedes 
 457 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Working with Dr. Petta and her team has been one of the most transformative steps I’ve taken for my health and mindset. The combination of neurofeedback training and counseling has brought me a level of mental clarity, calm, and a deeper sense of direction I hadn’t reached through years of exploring other self-improvement methods. It’s helped me move away from habits that weren’t serving my well-being, strengthen my confidence, and create a more consistent state of calm in daily life. Most importantly, it’s given me internal tools I can carry with me anywhere. I’m deeply grateful for the skill, insight, and care Dr. Petta brings to each session.
  
 
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   Sang Hee Maver 
 633 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We started Neurofeedback therapy with our son a few months ago and we have been amazed at the results. He was having trouble with anxiety, sleep, and struggling in school. We have seen improvements in all 3 areas in a short amount of time. Teachers and family members have also commented on the change they see in our son. Michael and Dr. Petta are attentive and caring, thank you both!
  
 
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   Marguerita Venegas 
 665 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have a client that was in 2 bad car accidents that ended up having brain damage. I referred her to Arizona Center for Neurofeedback. And the results were amazing, her speech and mobility drastically improved.
  
 
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   Deana Draper 
 887 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dr. Petta was a life saver for our granddaughter. I called her needing help and she jumped into action. Our granddaughter was struggling with meltdowns and outbursts at daycare/school and home. Dr. Petta worked out a treatment plan and she is 180 degree change. I never heard of Neurofeedback before but it works. My husband even goes to her to manage his Anxiety and PTSD. Would highly recommend her.
  
 
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   Tony Steech 
 946 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have had a great experience and results working with Dr. Petta and Michael. Since starting the neurofeedback, my profound insomnia has resolved and I have been sleeping deeply, through the night and extremely restful.  I find my ability to “respond” instead of react to external stimuli has really improved and thus has made a difference in my overall well being as an employee, co worker and family member much better.  The sessions themselves are very relaxing and I enjoy talking with Dr. Petta and Michael as a bonus! I can’t recommend enough.  Thank you
  
 
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   Ashley Davila 
 996 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It has been a relatively short time under the care of Dr. Petta. I have had four sessions, and within the first 2, I noticed a difference in my life and mind. There was some hesitance when it came to seeking help; nonetheless, I feel that Dr. Petta's expertise has been life-changing. Their guidance and support have enhanced my performance at work and school and transformed how I approach challenges. I highly recommend Dr. Petta to anyone seeking exceptional support in achieving their goals. As for me, I wanted to become the best version of myself, but I did not have a map or clue on how to get there. Through smart goals, I have set better boundaries with my loved ones and built healthy habits for school, work, and home. I have struggled for years, but I feel more free and in control of my life with Dr. Petta.

Ready to Get Started?

Schedule your no cost consultation today.

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About Our Consultants

At the Arizona Center for Neurofeedback, we are committed to a better understanding of the psychological factors influencing sports performance. Dr. Petta is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) with the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). The AASP is the premier research and practitioner based organization that credentials professionals in sport psychology.

She actively pursues AASP continuing education and conferences to stay on the cutting edge of evidence-based sport psychology interventions.

Why Your Mental Performance Consultant Should be CMPC® Certified

What is a CMPC®?

In the pursuit of elite performance—whether on the field, in the boardroom, or on the stage—the margin between success and failure is often mental. At our Center, we believe that your mind deserves the same level of professional expertise as your body.

That is why we prioritize the Certified Mental Performance Consultant® (CMPC) credential. As the premier certification in the field, the CMPC® designation ensures you are working with a professional who has met the highest national standards for sport and performance psychology.

The Certified Mental Performance Consultant® (CMPC) is the only NCCA-accredited certification for mental performance consultants in North America. Administered by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), this credential signifies that a practitioner has:

Ethical Commitment:
Strict adherence to a professional code of ethics and ongoing professional development.

Advanced Academic Preparation:
Mastery of graduate-level sport science and psychology.

Mentored Experience:
Hundreds of hours of supervised, hands-on applied work.

Rigorous Examination:
Successful completion of a comprehensive national certification exam.

Why Accreditation Matters: The NCCA Milestone

The CMPC® program recently earned reaccreditation from the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). This is a critical distinction for our clients at AZ Neurocenter.

Accreditation by the NCCA—the same body that accredits certifications for nurses, emergency medical technicians, and other vital healthcare roles—means the CMPC® program meets or exceeds nationally recognized standards for:

Public Protection: Ensuring that practitioners are qualified to provide safe and effective services.
Validity and Reliability: Confirming that the certification process truly measures professional competence.
Quality Assurance: Continuous vetting of the program’s integrity and excellence.
Peace of Mind: The mental tools you or your child are learning are backed by decades of rigorous research-proven methods shown to enhance optimal performance.

How a CMPC® Enhances
Your Performance

Working with a CMPC® at Arizona Neuro Center isn’t just about “positive thinking.” It is about evidence-based mental skills training designed to help you thrive under pressure. Our consultants specialize in:

Stress Management:
Mastering the physiological and psychological responses to pressure.

Confidence & Resilience:
Developing the mental toughness to bounce back from setbacks.

Focus & Concentration:
Training the brain to remain locked in during high-stakes moments.

Consistency:
Bridging the gap between practice and competition performance.

Photo & Video By Jessie Kiermayr

Embark On Your Journey with Sport Psychology Training in Scottsdale, AZ

At Arizona Center for Neurofeedback, in Scottsdale Arizona, you have the opportunity to access clinical or counseling services, Neurofeedback training, Biofeedback training, performance enhancement or a combination of any of these services.

If you are experiencing distress, or perhaps just looking for that “mental edge”, we are here to help. We are committed to helping you or your loved one on the path to optimal mental, emotional and brain/body health.

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Sport Psychology Training in Scottsdale, AZ