Shaunna Taylor, PhD. (c.), CCC
Shaunna has been consulting with athletes at all levels, from community club, to varsity, provincial and national level since 1995. Shaunna has a private practice in Ottawa, ON and works with local and national referrals from the Canadian Sport Centres Ontario, contracts with Carleton University and numerous NSO's. She is working in support of Canada's Paralympic sledge hockey team for the 2010 Winter Paralympic Games, and consulting with the Coaching Association of Canada.
What education did you complete and what qualifications do you have?
Education:
BA & MA - Sport Performance Counselling & Mental Preparation - Human Kinetics - University of Ottawa and St. Paul University
Doctoral Candidate in Health Sciences; School of Human Kinetics - (Performance and Coaching Science) - University of Ottawa
Qualification and training:
Member of CSPA, mental preparation consultant - BodySense disordered eating prevention program (CCES); Certified Counsellor (CCC: Counselling and Psychotherapy Association of Canada)
What is your philosophy to working with athletes?
I offer person-centered support which involves listening to my athletes, providing support and collaborating on selection of appropriate interventions, while challenging my clients to move forward. I use CBT techniques, short-term interventions for on-site work, and long-term monitoring and life skills work with my athletes where applicable. My primary goal is to encourage my clients to work towards understanding and application of tools they can use to address their specific needs (ie. confidence issues, interpersonal conflict, emotional management, anxiety and stress management measures, lifestyle habits etc.).
What are your thoughts/views of the upcoming Olympics and Paralympics?
Canada had some tremendous results in the Torino Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2006. Canadians will be expecting a repeat performance and much more as we look forward to hosting the world in 2010. A significant amount of financial and human investment has been made to support this squad of Canadian athletes in both competitions - the Olympics and Paralympics. More than ever, the amount of external distractions, internal pressure and expectations of turning this investment into podium performances will be omnipresent for our athletes and support teams in Vancouver. Having a solid mental preparation plan, logistics and scheduling management, as well as particular "distraction management" strategies (in and outside the field of play) will be critical. Our Paralympic team had a phenomenal performance in Torino, despite little to no recognition or attention from the media. Increased awareness of the 2010 Vancouver Paralympic Games means more demands from (and exposure through) the media, the public, and potential financial and social support. However, this increased awareness also means increased distractions that some of our athletes were unaccustomed to. We are working hard to provide the tools and infrastructure necessary to benefit from the "home field advantage", while avoiding some of the pitfalls that come with the increased lack of focus due to the "hype" of the Games. We expect the same phenomenal results for our Paralympic athletes, as we do for our Olympic athletes!
