Well-Being Therapy: An Approach to Increase Athlete Well-Being and Performance

Well-being is complex, encompassing emotional, psychological, and social functioning. Athletes with high well-being perform optimally in high-pressure environments, overcome obstacles, and enjoy long and successful careers. Despite its importance, there are few psychological strategies that directly address athlete well-being. Well-being Therapy (WBT) is a successful, short-term strategy that increases well-being via self-observation and structured daily usage. Originally developed as a clinical treatment for depression, research indicates that it may be suitable for non-clinical and educational settings. As a result, WBT may be an effective technique for increasing well-being and performance among athletes. We discuss the benefits of WBT and provide practical strategies to implement it for psychologists, counselors, and/or Certified Mental Performance Consultants.