Mental Performance & Sport Psychology

Unlock your mental edge& reach peak performance

Empowering athletes to achieve their goals, overcome challenges, and reach new heights — mental training is one of the four core pillars of athletic development.

Explore services → Meet the team

Athletes supported from organizations including

ORKA has supported athletes competing across professional, Olympic, collegiate, and elite junior sport. Team names, logos, and marks are property of their respective owners, and used for identification purposes only. No affiliation, sponsorship, or endorsement is implied.

Our why

Why sport psychology?

Sport psychology and mental performance practitioners give athletes the strategies and tools to improve their performance and overall enjoyment in sport. Mental training is one of the four core pillars of athletic development — alongside physical, technical, and tactical.

Develop mental resilience for peak performance
Stay focused and confident under pressure
Recover stronger with a positive mindset

Learn more →

Our approach

Tailored mental performance services for every athlete.

Performance enhancement

Unlock the mental edge that separates good from great.

In TrainingLearn to optimize focus, confidence, motivation, and mindset to perform at your best when it matters most — managing pressure, staying locked in during high-stakes moments, and sharpening your competitive mindset.

In RehabMental performance isn't just for game day — it shapes how you recover. Reframe rehab as an opportunity to grow, maintain motivation through tough sessions, and return to sport stronger mentally and physically.

Injury rehabilitation support

Rehab the mind as well as the body.

In TrainingLearning to manage adversity in rehab builds mental toughness that translates into better performance under pressure once you're back in competition.

In RehabInjuries can shake confidence, disrupt identity, and test patience. We help athletes navigate fear of reinjury, frustration, and setbacks — supporting mindset shifts that keep you motivated and help you find meaning and growth through the process.

Stress & anxiety management

Calm the noise, stay grounded, and build emotional control.

In TrainingPressure is part of sport — learn to harness nerves, manage internal expectations, and stay composed in high-intensity moments with evidence-based tools like breathwork, mindfulness, and cognitive reframing.

In RehabInjuries and setbacks often bring fear, stress, and uncertainty. We help you process these emotions, maintain a healthy mindset, and keep stress from becoming a barrier to recovery.

Team dynamics & communication

Your mindset affects your team — and vice versa.

In TrainingBuild stronger communication skills, leadership presence, and conflict-resolution tools to enhance team culture. Whether you're a captain or a role player, understanding your impact can elevate group performance.

In RehabStay involved and connected during rehab. Learn to communicate effectively with coaches, medical staff, and teammates to feel supported and stay aligned with team goals even while sidelined.

The method: tools for your mental toolbox

Prepare your mind the same way you train your body — with purpose and clarity.

Both ContextsWe give athletes practical tools they can rely on in real situations:

Choosing and applying the right mental skill at the right time
Setting clear, personal development goals
Designing pre-competition or pre-rehab routines that promote confidence and calm
Building the self-awareness to adapt when things don't go as planned

Meet the team

The sport psychologists & mental performance professionals.

Sport Psychologist

Meghan Ingstrup, MA, MSc.

A Registered Psychologist holding master's degrees in Sport Psychology (University of Alberta) and Counselling Psychology (University of Calgary).

Her approach is client-centered and collaborative — co-creating goals and using evidence-based strategies to support performance, life balance, and mental health across sport performance, anxiety, depression, injury/illness adjustment, life transitions, stress, and burnout, using modalities such as ACT, CBT, mindfulness, narrative therapy, and EMDR.

Note: virtual sessions available for athletes in Edmonton or other areas outside Calgary.

Schedule a session → Choose "Adult Counselling" — athletes can start with a free 15–20 minute discovery call.

Mental Performance Consultant

Elise Lacoste, PhD (c), CMPC®

A Certified Mental Performance Consultant® with the Canadian Sport Psychology Association, affiliated with the University of Calgary Dinos and several local sports clubs. She helps athletes, teams, and coaches use sport psychology principles to improve performance and wellbeing — staying motivated during injury rehab, building self-confidence, managing sport-related stress, and regulating emotions.

Elise believes mental training can be fun while meaningful, with results that extend beyond sport into everyday life. She works with athletes in English and French, with additional training for children, teenagers, and young adults, offering both 1-on-1 sessions and team workshops.

Mention you are with ØRKA for discounted rates on services.

Schedule a session → Email to book and reference ØRKA for member pricing.

Integrating their expertise

Where the work overlaps & differs.

At ØRKA, we recognize that mental health and performance are deeply connected. While both Mental Performance Consultants and Psychologists support athletes in managing mindset and stress, their scopes of practice differ. Mental performance work focuses on proactive, skills-based strategies to enhance focus, resilience, and confidence in sport. Psychologists, Social Workers, and Counsellors provide more therapeutic, treatment-oriented support for concerns such as anxiety, depression, burnout, or identity change. This counselling work is confidential, may be covered by insurance, and often becomes relevant when athletes feel "not like themselves," struggle with motivation, face overwhelming life demands, or experience anxiety returning to play.

Testimonials

What our athletes say.

“

Working on the mental side changed how I show up on game day. I stopped fearing pressure and started using it.

AthleteCollegiate Hockey

“

Rehab was as much mental as physical. Having someone help me through the setbacks kept me motivated to return stronger.

AthleteACL Return-to-Sport

“

The tools I learned carry over well beyond sport. I'm calmer, more focused, and more confident in everything I do.

AthleteElite Junior Soccer

Placeholder testimonials — send me real athlete quotes and I'll swap them in.

Book your

Mental performance session

Ready to build your mental edge? Book a session with our sport psychology and mental performance team, or reach out to find the right fit for your goals.

Book a session →