Mental Health & Performance Psychology - NC State University Athletics

Mission Statement:
The Mental Health & Performance Psychology Department is committed to providing comprehensive psychological support and performance services for North Carolina State Athletics. We help student-athletes and staff promote well-being and thriving in academic, athletics, and personal domains. We value a diverse and inclusive athletic department and campus community, and encourage and advocate a mindset and environment that supports these initiatives.

What is Sport Psychology?
Sport Psychology is a field of psychology that explores psychological factors impacting human performance. Through the development of new skills, refinement of existing skills, and enhanced self-awareness, athletes are more likely to thrive and persist to attain optimal performance.

Mental Health & Performance Psychology Services at NC State:
The Sport Psychologists at NC State provide mental health counseling and mental skills training to student-athletes. Typical mental health issues can include depression, anxiety, adjustment, body image/disordered eating, grief/loss, and recovery from injury. Mental skills training for athletic and academic performance include topics such as goal-setting, confidence, focus, imagery, team-building, motivation, and energy management. Student-athletes can experience a lot of pressure in and out of sport, and sport psychology services can help athletes respond and adapt to these pressures more effectively. Additionally, the Sport Psychology staff consults with coaches, athletic trainers, strength and conditioning professionals, team physicians, sport dietitians and other athletics staff.

Work with Us:
Individual Sessions: Student-athletes can meet with us to talk about their experience in sport and performance in any area of their life. All individual sessions are confidential**.

Groups: We offer spaces that are guided by student-athletes needs to provide greater emotional well-being, connection, and support. Previous and current groups include:

Mind, Body, Sport
Girls Night In (Women of Color)
Pack Shop (Men of Color)
Pack Pride
Pack International
Group for Athletic Injury Support (GAINS).

Drop In/Pop In Spaces: We create safe spaces on an as needed basis to invite conversation and provide support around department, campus, and global events.

Team Consultations: On a team by team basis, we work with coaching staff to support team performance. This often involves addressing team dynamics and culture.

**Confidentiality: We work as part of an integrated care team to provide comprehensive, holistic services through Sports Medicine. As such, the Mental Health & Perforamance Psychology and Sports Medicine staff may consult with each other when appropriate. This consultation does NOT include coaches, strength and conditioning staff, administrators, teammates, or family. Otherwise, information shared in individual appointments is confidential for those 18 years or older. Information will be released only with the written consent of the student-athlete or in instances where disclosure is required by law (i.e., threat of harm to self/others; court order; if you disclose that you or another person were abused, or neglected as a child).

Let’s Connect!
Athletes can make an appointment by contacting their athletic trainer or reaching out at sportpsychology@ncsu.edu. Individual sessions last from 30-50 minutes, and there can be flexibility to work around an athletes’ academic and training schedule. All sessions will take place in the Sport Psychology Suite located in the Case Academic Building.

NC State Sports Medicine
Weisiger-Brown Athletics Facility
2500 Warren Carroll Drive/Campus Box 8502
Raleigh, NC 27695-8502
Sports Medicine Dept: 919.515.2111

PLEASE NOTE: Due to Covid-19 and in compliance with social distancing practices, services may be offered virtually through Zoom.

To make an appointment or for other inquiries, email Dr. Joshua HERE.

Connect with the University Counseling Center here.

Staff:
Rachel Conway, Assistant AD/Mental Health & Performance Psychology

Dr. Rachel Conway is a Clinical and Sport Psychologist and serves as the Assistant Athletics Director for Mental Health & Performance Psychology at NCSU. Dr. C graduated with her B.A. from Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) – double majoring in Psychology and Athletic Training – and went on to receive both her M.S. and Psy.D. in clinical psychology from Pacific University School of Professional Psychology (Hillsboro, Oregon). She completed her internship at Brigham Young University (Provo, Utah) and her postdoctoral fellowship at Lehigh University (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania). From 2018-2024, Dr. C served as the first full-time sport psychologist at Wake Forest University Athletics, building the sport psychology department and improving relationships between athletics and mental health.

At NCSU, Dr. C oversees the continuing growth and maintenance of an impactful Mental Health & Performance Psychology Program. In addition to her administrative responsibilities, Dr. C works with individuals, teams, and coaches through an acceptance and commitment therapy lens to enhance holistic well-being and improve performance. Dr. C is certified and licensed to work with individuals and groups on performance enhancement and mental health concerns. She enjoys working with student-athletes on peak performance, eating/body image concerns, substance use, injury recovery, and adjustment to life changes. In her spare time, Dr. C enjoys outdoor pursuits, fostering animals, travel, theater & dance, and SCUBA diving.

Contact Dr. C at rmconwa2@ncsu.edu

Ariane Machin, PhD, Assistant Director of Mental Health & Performance Psychology

Dr. Ariane Machín is a Counseling and Sport Psychologist who works with individuals, teams, and coaches through a holistic and positive psychology lens. She provides sport performance consulting in addition to individual psychotherapy, and works on issues including adjustment to college, sport injury, anxiety, depression, confidence, motivation, and self-esteem. In addition, Dr. Machín also works with individuals experiencing body image and disordered eating patterns. She has given presentations at national conferences and published numerous articles on her work with body image and eating disorder interventions within the female population. Dr. Machin was a member of the United States Olympic Committee Sport Psychology Registry, a Peer Reviewer for the Journal of Academic Psychiatry, and served as the Chair of the Public Interest Committee for the Division 47 (Sport and Exercise Psychology) of the American Psychological Association.

Dr. Machín can be found in many online and print magazines and local media outlets including Forbes, Runners World Magazine, Readers Digest, Headspace, Women’s Health Magazine, and Self Magazine. Dr. Machin was a competitive collegiate runner and swimmer, qualifying for XC nationals individually, and continues to enjoy movement through Pure Barre and running after her three kids!

Contact Dr. Ariane at: alsmithm@ncsu.edu , phone: 919.513.4658

Martika Hubbard, LMFT, Athletics Mental Health Clinician / Wellness Coordinator

Martika Hubbard is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in trauma work, relationships, and family dynamics. Martika graduated with her B.A. in Psychology with minors in Health Studies, Gender Studies, and Sociology from Monmouth University where she was also a division-1 soccer player. Martika then went on to earn her M.A. in Marital and Family Therapy from the University of San Diego. Martika specifically chose this route and school because it provided a bio-psycho-social-spiritual lens to looking at the various mental health challenges that we face. Martika is also trained in EMDR and utilizes it to address trauma and performance concerns.

Martika began her professional work with children, adolescents, and families in community mental health clinics. She found herself drawn mostly to the older adolescents in the transitional age groups and decided to pursue working in the college counseling center environment. Martika spent time at Coastal Carolina University working to create a relationship between the counseling center and athletics as she saw the unique need of student-athletes having been one herself. Martika is excited to work more with teams and individual student-athletes here at NCSU.

Outside of work, Martika enjoys golfing, spin classes, watching reality television and spending time with her cat, Maverick.

Contact Markita at mrhubbar@ncsu.edu.

Dijon Goins, Athletics Counselor / Case Manager

Dijon Goins is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate who specializes in identity development, treating individuals with mental health disorders, and helping people maximize their performance to reach their highest potential. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, with concentrations in Psychology and Business Management, from Belmont Abbey College. He later received his Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Dijon began his professional journey by serving in the United States Navy. In addition, he continued his commitment to service as a part of the Charlotte community in roles at the Department of Social Services and Novant Health, as part of Community Equity and Engagement. In these roles he helped individuals and families access and navigate essential health services and community resources particularly those facing chronic illnesses, homelessness, severe mental health challenges, and socioeconomic hardships.

During his time at Queens University of Charlotte, Dijon discovered a deep passion for working with student-athletes, supporting them through the transition out of college athletics , helping them navigate identity development, life challenges, and a range of personal and interpersonal concerns.

Dijon truly believes in the power of motivation, inspiration, and transformation!

Contact Dijon at ddgoins@ncsu.edu.