LISTEN * SUPPORT * CHALLENGE

For the past 20+ years, I have supported athletes, dancers, musicians, and other high performance-based professions. As Past Chair of the Canadian Sport Psychology Association, I am an advocate for promoting mental performance and health as part of holistic development systems. I am located in the beautiful Okanagan Valley (unceded traditional territory of the Syilx nation) but I consult with performers and programs from across Canada and internationally.

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EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

From providing support to developing athletes, to being an integrated support team member to 6 Olympic and 4 Paralympic Games, I bring decades of experience to athletes, coaches, and performers looking to add to their mental flexibility, skills, and health.

I practice from a perspective of a culturally safe and trauma-informed lens for all my clients. I also use a social justice approach to advocacy counselling for my clients ~ I believe this is critical for self-empowerment but also system change. I am grateful for my collaboration with the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council (I·SPARC) and teachings of the San'yas Indigenous Cultural Safety program. I come from a place of support and affirmation for the LGBTQI2S+ community.

I currently support Ballet Kelowna, athlete and coach services at PacificSport Okanagan, and the Canadian Centre for Mental Health in Sport. I am a UBC Vancouver faculty member in a high performance coaching and leadership program, teaching applied sport and performance psychology courses, and I serve many local, provincial and national organizations.

Training & Certification

Dr. Shaunna Taylor, PhD
Past Chair, Canadian Sport Psychology Association (MPC)
Certified Clinical Counsellor (CCC)

Theory, Training and Supervision: University of Ottawa

Current Faculty: UBC Vancouver [MKin]

 
Since 1998, I’ve helped my clients - performers from a variety of fields and backgrounds - break through obstacles that stood between them and optimal mental performance and mental health. Let me help you learn and develop strategies to achieve your performance goals. Get in touch today to see what I can do for you.

Holistic Performer Wellness

I use research-informed approaches to help performers achieve overall health and wellness. From physical fitness, to rest and recovery, to work-life balance and mental health, I help my clients to embrace a holistic approach to personal health and wellness.

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Whether you are locally-based for in-person support, or you train and compete at a distance, I have flexible support platforms for face-to-face and virtual meetings. 

Mental Performance

I use cognitive behavioural (CBT) and mindfulness-based approaches (such as DBT) to help performers in such areas as:

• psycho-motor learning

• enhancing motivation

• visualization/imagery

• focussing strategies

• self-regulation skills

• constructive feedback

• optimal goal-setting

• disordered eating prevention 

• positive body image

• performance anxiety

• relaxation / activation

• emotional intelligence 

• other mental skills that are vital to performance.

Team and Program Leadership Support

I work with teams and programs to provide support services at all levels (from performers to coaches, management and technical leadership).

From local club teams, to varsity sport, provincial and national programs, let me help you to create safe, inclusive and burnout-resistant programs.

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I currently provide individual and team support for UBC Okanagan Heat varsity and club programs, as well as many developing and nationally-carded athletes and performers throughout the Okanagan Valley and abroad. From Ballet Kelowna, to local school districts, I also support a wide variety of diverse organizations. Please contact me to discuss your needs - I look forward to hearing from you!

Start the conversation about mental health and the role it plays in overall performance:

“Just because you’re a good athlete doesn’t mean you can escape mental health issues that affect people. Bringing awareness to it is important ... We've come many, many miles in this area and we're more compassionate and understanding. Mental illness affects one in every five Canadians, so if you think about that, that means four (players) in my dressing room alone, must be affected in some way."

Schedule a Session

#214 - 3001 Tutt Street, Kelowna, BC