Princeton TigersPAW:
Sport Psychology Services
Our Mission
The TigersPAW (Tigers Performance and Wellness) Team is a multidisciplinary group of providers who deeply value supporting student-athlete wellness in all aspects of life. Our team of sport psychology service providers is dedicated to offering student-athletes a safe, comfortable, caring, and confidential space to explore any concerns they may have both inside and outside of sport. We are passionate about cultivating an environment within Athletics that supports student-athlete mental health, promotes well-being, and helps student-athletes find success and enjoyment in sport. Our ultimate mission is to support and facilitate student-athlete growth by serving as
a resource that nurtures their pursuit of personal and athletic excellence.
Sessions vary in length depending on need, context, and care provided. An initial sport psychology consultation (first appointment) is approximately 25-30 minutes. Subsequent appointments can last anywhere from 30-50 minutes, based on individual needs. Often, student-athletes continue to meet with the provider that conducts their first appointment. However, student-athletes can request to meet with a different provider on TigersPAW or in CPS if desired. TigersPAW providers may also make referrals to another provider if appropriate, to ensure the best quality of care.
The location of the session is dependent on the provider offering the session. We have providers based in various locations on campus, including Jadwin Gym, McCosh Health Center, and Yeh College. We also offer telehealth appointments via Zoom. Treatment planning for future sessions will be discussed at the first appointment.
To schedule a Sport Psych Consultation with a member of TigersPAW:
• Schedule online via the myUHS portal and select a Sport Psych Consult or Initial Consultation
These are 25-30 min assessments that help the provider get a sense of your needs and develop a plan to support you.
For ICs, filter appointments by provider to see only those appointments offered by those listed here.
• Email one of the providers listed below directly
• Call the UHS Front Desk (609-258-3141) and ask for a sport psych consult
Our Services
- Meet with licensed and trained mental health professionals who specialize in evidence-based approaches for student-athlete mental health and sport performance
- Individual counseling sessions are intended to help student-athletes address the unique stressors and pressures they may face in sports and in their personal lives.
- Meetings occur one-on-one and are private & confidential
- The TigersPAW team offers groups specifically for student-athletes. In addition, Counseling & Psychological Services (CPS) offers a number of groups that student-athletes can join. Group offerings vary based upon semester so please click this link to see a full list of group offerings
- Group sessions typically consist of group discussion as well as tools and strategies intended to help address presenting concerns. Benefits of group counseling may include the opportunity to discuss shared experiences with other student-athletes, education, and training on skills to support mental health and performance, peer support, and gaining different insights and perspectives from other student-athletes about common concerns.
- Some groups are time-limited and focus on specific issues, while others are ongoing general therapy groups. There are no session limits to group therapy—you can participate in a group at any time and for as long as you want.
- The TigersPAW team offers team workshops and trainings in many areas such as mental skills training for athletic performance, managing team dynamics, addressing issues related to team culture, and education on promoting mental well-being. Team sessions can include small and/or large group sessions facilitated by one or more of our clinicians and are geared toward addressing specific issues or concerns
- Requests for a team session can be sent to the TigersPAW team and, depending on the topic of the request and availability, we will determine which of our staff is best fit to fill a specific request
- To request a team session please submit a contact form via this link.
- The TigersPaw team offers educational workshops & trainings on various topics that can be presented to teams, coaches, support staff, and administrators
- Requests can be sent to the TigersPAW team and, depending on the topic of the request and availability, we will determine which of our staff is best fit to fill a specific request
To request a workshop or training, please submit a contact form via this link.
Coach Consultations (for Coaches)
- The TigersPAW team offers an ongoing, collaborative consultation space for coaches held every Wednesday at 9am in Zanfrini Lounge in Jadwin (Level C). No sign-up or advanced notice is required to attend a meeting.
- The coaches support group is not a counseling group for coaches. It is an opportunity for coaches to discuss coach-related stressors, team dynamics and culture, ways to promote well-being among student-athletes, and tools and strategies to enhance mental performance in sport. These discussions are intended to help promote an environment that best supports student-athletes both inside and outside of sport.
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Mike Gross, PsyD, CMPC Head of Sport Psychology Services mg46@princeton.edu |
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Jonathan Pastor, PsyD Associate Director of Counseling & Psych Services jpastor@princeton.edu |
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Jessica McLaughlin, PsyD Clinical Psychologist joddo@princeton.edu |
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Gavin Jones, MSW, LSW Athletic Counselor gavinj@princeton.edu |
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Kathryn Rowe, LPC, CMPC Mental Performance & Athletic Counselor kr4925@princeton.edu |
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Patrick Walro, PsyD Postdoctoral Fellow pw1944@princeton.edu |
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Cory Hersh, PhD |
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Jeanan Fares, PhD |
TigersPAW is a multidisciplinary treatment team comprised of psychologists, athletic counselors, physicians, and athletic trainers that supports the mental & physical health, wellbeing, and performance of Princeton student-athletes.
The sport psychology arm of TigersPAW began with two clinicians and, over the last several years, has seen tremendous growth in staffing, due in no small part to the high utilization of services and resources by student-athletes.
TigersPAW is one of University Health Services (UHS) several interdisciplinary teams. To learn more about University Health Services and other specialized treatment teams click here.
Our staff is knowledgeable and varied, meaning student-athletes can receive support on a range of topics, including but not limited to: general mental health support, performance anxiety, sleep issues, eating concerns, mental skills training, recovery from injury, navigating team dynamics, etc.
All of our TigersPAW providers are bound by confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA and FERPA regulations. However, as we operate within an interdisciplinary team, we might request a student-athlete’s permission to share attendance and content with other members of the TigersPAW team, in order to ensure the best quality of care. We will never share any information without first seeking a student-athlete’s consent.
If you are concerned about your friend, teammate, child, or athlete, crisis resources are available:
- CPS Cares Line - (609) 258-3141, Press “2” when prompted: The CPS Cares Line is a mobile support line that is operational 24/7; connect to support any time, day or night, for any concern
- Suicide & Crisis Hotline - Dial 988
- PrincetonPeerNightline.com: Chat anonymously with student volunteers trained to listen with empathy and offer support
- For Emergencies - Dial 911
