Learned Excellence for Athletes
Learned Excellence for Athletes is the sports consulting arm of Dr. Abrams' practice where he is the President and Primary Sport Psychologist. Based in New Jersey, but consulting both locally and nationally, Mitch Abrams has been helping athletes reach their potential for over ten years. Whether it is the treatment of a emotional problem they may be struggling with or assisting them with removing the mental obstacle that interferes with peak performance, he takes a hands on, directive approach geared to solve problems as soon as possible.
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Athletes tend to be successful, competitive, driven people. They also are very competent people, so the basic assumption that Dr. Abrams takes is that if the problem was easy to solve, the athlete would have already mastered it. The goal of any treatment, whether for clinical issues or enhancing performance, is to end treatment; to return the athlete to success in sport and life. Dr. Abrams will empower the athlete to build on their already-existing toolbox, so that they are self-sufficient to reach their goals. He provides services for both performance enhancement and treatment of emotional problems.
Having developed a comprehensive anger management program for athletes, he has lectured nationally on the topic of anger and violence in sports. Dr. Abrams believes that the idea that athletes are more violent than their non-athlete counterparts is a MYTH! It is a myth that has sprung from the transgression of a very small percentage of athletes, the tremendous media attention athletes receive when they do cross "the line", and the selective inattention to the ubiquity of societal violence. Because some hold the perspective that athletes are more violent, athletes need to be even better at controlling their emotions. Before an incident can even be corroborated, it will be highlighting the sports news.
Therefore, athletes are At Risk because of two things:
- They receive greater scrutiny
- Because athletes tend to be physically healthy and popular, it would be a mistake that no athletes would have problems with their temper. Just as anger management training is necessary for many people in society, athletes are no different; and should be afforded this opportunity pro-actively...not after an incident.
Athletes are also wrongly stereotyped to be more likely to be involved in dating/sexual violence than their non-athlete peers. Though the evidence to support this is questionable, again, these are issues that athletes face and it is important to provide preventative (as well as responsive treatment) services that are specifically geared to an athlete population. Dr. Abrams has developed and presented workshops that focus on the many factors that contribute to increase risk. Some of these factors include:
- Drugs/alcohol
- Team dynamics
- Issues related to abuse and violence (physical, emotional, psychological and sexual)
- Confrontation of myths about sexuality
- Understanding legal issues and potential consequences
- A common (and understandable) sense of entitlement that comes from athletic success
Dr. Abrams will work with you to develop a program that is uniquely tailored to your organization's needs. Further, he does not believe in giving a presentation and that ends the consultation relationship. Dr. Abrams knows that single-session presentations have very limited value and are notoriously ineffective. Dr. Abrams will continue to have a consulting relationship with the organization to help perpetuate the successes that are achieved. Being a systemic thinker and a consultant that appreciates the complexities of individuals, systems and problems, Dr. Abrams can be a valuable asset in helping your organization navigate through the most treacherous of waters.
If you would be interested in having Dr. Abrams lecture on the above topics or consult with your athletes/sports organizations, please contact him at (732) 738-0900 or email him at: MAbrams589@aol.com. 
