{"id":282637,"date":"2025-10-06T22:21:10","date_gmt":"2025-10-06T22:21:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/282637\/"},"modified":"2025-10-06T22:21:10","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T22:21:10","slug":"how-sports-psychologists-chaplains-work-with-the-wnba","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/282637\/","title":{"rendered":"How Sports Psychologists & Chaplains Work With The WNBA"},"content":{"rendered":"

Three minutes before tipoff, A\u2019ja Wilson<\/a> \u2014 the Las Vegas Aces\u2019 center-forward and four-time WNBA MVP \u2014 gets rid of jitters by meeting with the team chaplain<\/a> for a quick prayer. Before and after games, the Golden State Valkyries\u2019<\/a> Kate Martin<\/a> treats her muscles to leg massages and mobility stretches. And throughout the season, Cameron Brink of the Los Angeles Sparks makes vision boards<\/a> with the help of a sports psychologist.<\/p>\n

The WNBA<\/a> is packed with elite athletes at their absolute best: strong, fast, and driven, yet calm under pressure. They can sink a free throw with 20,000 fans roaring in the stands and maintain composure with only seconds left on the clock.<\/p>\n

Although the women of the W<\/a> are the stars of the show, countless people work behind the scenes to keep them ready and well. Sometimes you\u2019ll see them in action, like when a trainer dashes onto the court midgame to tape an ankle, but it\u2019s rare to get a glimpse at the entire crew that supports athletes\u2019 minds, bodies, and spirits.<\/p>\n

Since the league formed in 1996, it has employed dozens of staffers every year to look after players\u2019 physical health \u2014 think trainers, strength coaches, and physical therapists, both full time and part time \u2014 as well as countless others who step in as needed to handle the team\u2019s mental and spiritual well-being: chaplains, sports psychologists, meditation leaders, and more.<\/p>\n

Ian Maule\/Getty Images Sport\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Ahead, a look at the WNBA\u2019s unsung heroes and how they use a variety of unexpected methods to keep the league\u2019s stars at the top of their game.<\/p>\n

A Team Of Spiritual Cheerleaders<\/strong><\/p>\n

Many athletes draw strength from their faith. \u201cWhen I wake up, I talk to God, thank him, and then go to the gym,\u201d says Dana Evans, who plays for the Aces. \u201cMy main thing is trusting in him, no matter if that looks like me being a cheerleader or me making big plays.\u201d<\/p>\n

They\u2019re not praying alone. Every team has a chaplain. \u201cThere are a lot of women of faith in the W, but because of their dedication to their profession, they really miss out on being part of a local church community,\u201d says Kerry Jelinek<\/a>, the chaplain for the Connecticut Sun<\/a>. \u201cWe stand in that gap to provide that landing space for them, so they can pause, release, and be filled with peace.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before they step into the bright arena lights, some meet with a religious leader for a moment of peace and support, or even a full-on dance break. Yvette Hamilton<\/a>, who\u2019s been volunteering as a chaplain for the New York Liberty<\/a> for more than two decades, offers a 15-minute chapel service before every game at the arena. It includes gospel music, dancing, and words of encouragement, and it\u2019s open to both the home and visiting teams, as well as players of any faith.<\/p>\n

Chris Coduto\/Getty Images Sport\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Describing the Las Vegas Aces\u2019 sessions, Megan Gustafson says, \u201cWe all gather, we listen to a Bible passage, that kind of calms us and unites us. It\u2019s really awesome.\u201d<\/p>\n

Many of the spiritual guides stay in contact with one another so the players\u2019 needs are met on the road. They also offer pre-game meditations and call on the help of \u201cprayer warriors\u201d \u2014 ex coaches, staff members, and other supporters who might, for example, keep an injured athlete in their thoughts. Little gestures add up, which is why the Liberty\u2019s staffers celebrate the athletes\u2019 birthdays, brand deals, and other big wins off the court, often by shooting a congratulatory text.<\/p>\n

That kind of support doesn\u2019t end with the season. Hamilton has gotten out of bed at 3 a.m. to Zoom with players who are competing abroad in different time zones. Investing in their emotional well-being is so important, she says, because the heart plays a major role in maintaining the drive to compete day after day.<\/p>\n

From Breathwork To Pinterest<\/strong><\/p>\n

Buzzer-beating shots, constant travel, roaring crowds \u2014 it\u2019s a lot of pressure. To ease the burden, many teams work with sports psychologists<\/a> or mental performance coaches, like Kim Hollingdale, Psy.D., LMFT, CMP<\/a>, a former competitive swimmer and psychotherapist.<\/p>\n

Sometimes, she meets with them during a scheduled time, but often her encouragement happens on the fly. \u201cIt\u2019s about being there when they need it,\u201d she says. Hollingdale helps them manage feelings while recovering from injuries and offers techniques to cope with stress, especially when games aren\u2019t going their way.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis often involves using breathwork to get the body into the right level of energy, calm visualization to prime the body and mind, and cues to remind [them] what they\u2019re made of,\u201d she says. Her goal is to keep nerves steady, minds sharp, and confidence high.<\/p>\n

Ian Maule\/Getty Images Sport\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Hollingdale also prescribes vision-boarding. \u201cThe prompts will vary according to the goal we\u2019re trying to achieve,\u201d she adds. \u201cIn the past, I\u2019ve had players [make them] a specific performance goal, like improving their three-point accuracy or their conditioning.\u201d<\/p>\n

While the athletes often curate images on Pinterest, she also encourages them to go old-school and make a real vision board out of magazines, craft supplies, and fliers \u2014 something tangible they can put on their walls and look at every day to manifest success.<\/p>\n

Every Body Is Different<\/strong><\/p>\n

Of course, every team has pros working behind the scenes to help players maintain muscle and recover from injuries. Annalise Rios<\/a>, the head strength and conditioning coach for the Connecticut Sun<\/a>, tailors 15-minute warm-ups to each athlete\u2019s body and offers multiple time slots for weightlifting to meet everyone\u2019s needs. She also analyzes game footage to fine-tune performance. \u201cWe hone in on certain movements they want to get better at,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Beverages come custom, too. Emily Blurton<\/a>, the Storm\u2019s director of sports performance, jokes that she\u2019s the team \u201cwater girl\u201d during games. \u201cThey have a whole gamut of water preferences and different reasons for each of them,\u201d she says, noting that some are hydration-focused, some need carbs, and some just have a favorite flavor.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt this level, it\u2019s all about individualization,\u201d Blurton adds. \u201cI\u2019m trying to make sure that they have what they need and feel cared for.\u201d<\/p>\n

You may not see the vision boards, birthday texts, or pre-game prayers, but they all make a difference. Thanks to these unsung heroes, fans can enjoy intense games, and athletes can perform at their peak.<\/p>\n

Additional reporting by Kelsey Mulvey.<\/p>\n

Sources:<\/p>\n

Annalise Rios<\/a>, head strength and conditioning coach for the Connecticut Sun<\/a><\/p>\n

Emily Blurton<\/a>, director of sports performance for the Seattle Storm<\/p>\n

Kim Hollingdale, Psy.D., LMFT, CMP<\/a>, athlete mental health and performance psychologist for the L.A. Sparks<\/p>\n

Yvette Hamilton<\/a>, chaplain for the New York Liberty<\/a><\/p>\n

Kerry Jelinek<\/a>, chaplain for the Connecticut Sun<\/a><\/p>\n

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