Mission -

To provide psychological support services that will assist UNM student-athletes to be successful in their academic, athletic, and personal lives.

Dr. Valerie Valle has worked with UNM Athletics since the fall of 2008.

Dr. Valerie Valle is a licensed psychologist at the University of New Mexico. She is responsible for providing clinical and sport psychology services to UNM's student-athletes. Her primary responsibilities include: Providing assessment and individual counseling for student-athletes; teaching mental skills to develop an optimum competitive mindset; outreach programming; and consulting with coaches, sport-medicine staff, and other university personnel.

Dr. Valle received a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Sport Psychology from Argosy University/Phoenix in 2008. She completed a Post Doctoral Residency at the University of New Mexico and a Pre Doctoral Internship at the University of California at Riverside where she worked with collegiate athletes. Dr. Valle earned a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Florida in 1999.

Dr. Valle is a Certified Consultant with the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (CC-AASP), a member of the American Psychological Association (APA), and a member of the United Sates Olympic Committee Sport Psychology Registry.

Dr. Valle is also an athlete and a former coach. She is a competitive swimmer and triathlete. She coached various age group and masters' swimming programs in Florida and Arizona for approximately 10 years.

What is sport psychology & Who uses it -

Sport psychology is concerned with the psychological factors that influence athletic performance. Mental training skills are designed to harness control over thinking, emotions, physiological responses, attention, and behavior. Some mental training skills include: Goal setting, imagery training, energy regulation, emotional regulation, self-talk, coping with pressure, and pre-performance routines. Sport psychology services are used by those who want to perform with greater confidence, consistency, and satisfaction.

What to expect -

Sometimes personal problems interfere with performance. Other times, performance problems interfere with personal life. UNM student-athletes coming to the Student Success Center for counseling are usually seeking more satisfying lives by addressing performance issues, personal problems, or value questions. Counseling provides a unique opportunity to talk through and develop solutions to issues that may be preventing you from enjoying life or achieving at your potential. Counseling provides a nonjudgmental and accepting environment that can help you find direction and alternative courses of action in order to improve your situation. Time is often spent helping individuals recognize and utilize personal strengths.

Issues Faced by College Student-Athletes -

• Difficulty balancing athletic and academic demands
• Low confidence
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Anger
• Grief/Loss
• Homesickness
• Interpersonal issues with partner, family, and/or team
• Sexual orientation
• Alcohol/drug abuse
• Body image issues/Eating disorders
• Excessive worry about performance (Choking)
• Loss of sport motivation/burnout
• Performance slumps
• Ineffective leadership skills
• Coping with injury
• Suicidal thoughts

Confidentiality -

Everything discussed during a counseling session is confidential, meaning it will not be revealed to coaches, teammates, parents, professors, or anyone else without your written consent. There are four major exceptions to confidentiality, however. There is NO confidentiality when: 1) There is imminent risk of harm to self or others, 2) There is suspected abuse of a child or vulnerable adult, 3) There is a subpoena or court order for medical records, and 4) There is a legal mandate such as the USA Patriot Act of 2001.

Appointments & Fees -

Psychological services may be scheduled in person, or by calling the Student Health & Counseling Center (SHAC) at 505-277-4537. For the first visit, allow 15 minutes to complete initial paperwork. All personal and performance counseling services are free of charge.

Location -

Dr. Valle is located in the Student Success Center, room 2152.

In Case of Emergency -

If you need emergency help after hours, please contact
Psychiatric Emergency Services
2600 Marble Ave. NE
505-272-2920

Sport Psychology News

• The Winning Edge - Fall 2009
• The Winning Edge - Volume 1

Lobos Athletics

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