PRA offers a range of sports oriented programs for individuals or sporting clubs to achieve optimal performance and wellbeing.
This includes:
– Performance enhancement for elite and non-elite athletes, 1 on 1 in the office or at a group level at your club.
– Education sessions 1 on 1 in the office or on a group level at your club. Topics include
- Understanding and improving mental health
- Managing pressure and expectation
- Managing stress and anxiety, and high performance lifestyle
- Responding to grief and loss
- Education sessions for coaches on a variety of topics including
- Understanding mental health presentations, particularly ADHD and ASD; The role of balance in high performance (for self, and for athletes)
Our Psychologists who provide services in this area include the following:
Helen Morris is an experienced Psychologist with substantial experience with children and teenagers in education settings. She has worked with junior, elite, and senior (masters) athletes across many sports around the world including Great Britain, Spain, Southern African countries, USA, NZ, the Pacific and Australasia. When working with junior athletes, Helen mentored and educated parents and coaches on athlete development – physical, emotional and performance expectations. Helen is a former US Open, Pan Pacific and World Champion, and Commonwealth Games Silver and Bronze medallist swimmer. Helen has
been an invited speaker at the World Swim Coaches’ conference in Cleveland USA, and guest speaker at many national sports conferences in Australia and around the world. Her forte is connecting with children, teenagers and parents at their level.
Paul Rushton is the Director of PRA. He has 35 years of clinical experience as a Psychologist and has been involved in sporting clubs for over 30 years including the roles of Club President, Coach, Coaching coordinator, and player. Paul has considerable experience working with professional and semi-professional athletes including Olympians and elite athletes from AFL, NRL, and the A-League. He is a Psychologist with the AFL Players Association delivering Tackle Your Feelings/Fit Minds Kick Goals education sessions as part of a nationwide program that has provided education for 20,000 players to date. AFL clubs can receive free sessions via the AFL.
Mark Nikolich is a Psychologist but also a passionate sports enthusiast with a special interest in helping athletes of all ages remove mental obstacles in order to achieve their full potential. Mark has been involved in tennis and cricket, both as a player and coach, and has helped athletes navigate the emotional highs and lows of their sporting careers. He has a special interest in helping athletes transition from elite sports to regular life.
For one on one bookings with our Psychologists please call our reception on 07 55 261212.
For group programs conducted at your club, or to enquire about linking with Michael Thwaite
for his services please email our Practice Manager Wendy at wendyrushton@praconsulting.com.au.
Mental Health Ambassadors and Athlete Mentors who provide services in this area include the following:
Michael Thwaite played for the Young Socceroos, Olyroos and the Socceroos from 2005 to 2013. He played professionally in Australia, Romania, Poland, Norway and China. He played 200+ games in the A-League for Melbourne Victory, Gold Coast United, Perth Glory and Western Sydney Wanderers. He won the Premiership and Championship double with Melbourne Victory in 2008/09. He was with the Queensland Academy of Sport from 1998- 2000. From 2018-2024 he directed That’s Football, a mentoring company helping athletes transition into a profession they value. He holds a Bachelor of Human Movement Science
from CQU, and a B-Diploma in coaching. Michael currently works in disability support with Gold Coast Recreation and Sport, and facilitates the Accessible Football Program. Michael offers education sessions on mental Health and sport, and mentoring for athletes.