Ann Fitzgerald

I’m a counselling psychologist specialising in the psychology of sport and exercise with almost 20 years NHS and private practice clinical experience. I offer clinically informed sports psychology providing you with quite a unique set of skills as my sports interventions are informed by a rich and diverse knowledge of what is necessary to sustain the wellbeing of an athlete operating in high performing sporting environments.  Sporting performance and success should not be achieved at the cost of wellbeing including minimising the long term adversity posed by sports injury, stress, performance anxiety and the repeated demands to push human performance to and beyond a safe limit.  Traditional sport psychology has tended to have a narrow focus on performance enhancement using mental skills training which may not meet the complex psychological needs of athletes. Combining my broad clinical training and experience with contemporary sport psychology theories and best practice I take a holistic biopsychosocial approach. I work with all levels of sport (recreational, competitive, amateur or elite) and sporting activities including individual, team sports and sporting organisations. Considering the benefits and challenges of technology and social media is an essential social factor to be considered in all levels of sport.  I use CBT, person-centred, mentalization based treatment (MBT) and psychodynamic approaches to psychological therapy and psychological skills training.  I’m experienced in delivering psycho-education workshops to groups which can help to build a cohesive team and enhance teamwork.  I'm based in Scotland, but work throughout the UK & Ireland.  I have clinic rooms at Mulberry House in Edinburgh and support athletes online.  I offer a free telephone consultation 15-20 mins before arranging the first appointment and I’m registered with all the major health insurance companies including Bupa, Aviva, AXA, Cigna, Vitality & WPA.