Sports Psychology Certification: Mental Game Coaching Professional

Get Certified as a Mental Performance Coach
with Dr. Patrick Cohn

The MGCP Certification: 12 Weeks to Certification

What Is the Mental Game Coaching Professional (MGCP) Certification?

The MGCP certification is a 10-week training program that qualifies coaches, trainers, and mental health professionals to work as certified mental performance coaches. Created by Dr. Patrick Cohn, Ph.D., the program teaches a structured system for identifying mental obstacles in athletes, building customized mental training plans, and running effective coaching sessions, one-on-one and in groups.

Graduates earn the MGCP credential, a listing on MentalGameCoachingPro.com, and ongoing access to Dr. Cohn’s coaching library and referral network.

The certification is designed for:

1. Sports coaches who want to address confidence, focus, and composure with the athletes they coach.
2. Psychologists and therapists who want to apply mental skills training within their existing practice.
3. Athletic trainers who support athletes through injury recovery and performance setbacks.
4. Life coaches who want a structured framework for working with competitive athletes.
5. Mental performance coaches in training who want applied methods alongside academic study.

Get More Details About the Program

Please complete the form below so we can contact you with more details about the program:

“I wish I had taken the MGCP course before playing professional football because this would have been a huge asset to my career. The course is detailed and shows step by step how to improve an athlete’s mental ability and performance by identifying underlying issues. The course is well-organized and I feel that I learned a lifetime of information in 20 hours of live coaching with Dr. Cohn!”*
~Cortez Hankton Jr.

As a Certified Mental Game Coaching Professional (MGCP), you’ll learn to help athletes build confidence, improve focus, galvanize team cohesion, enhance communication skills, and perform at their best.

This comprehensive and in-depth MGCP program is offered in two formats:

• One-on-One Mental Game Coaching Professional (MGCP) certification (in person or via the phone)
• Group video conference Mental Game Coaching Professional certification (via video conference technology)

“Helped Create a Platform and Foundation”

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How the MGCP Certification Works

The program runs for 10 weeks (12 weeks for summer cohorts). Each week, you join a live group session via video conference for two hours. Between sessions, you complete 30 to 40 hours of structured homework: athlete mental game assessments, mental game plan development, and applied coaching with a local athlete.

Throughout the program, you work with athletes directly, review 18 case studies, and receive written materials to support your coaching sessions.

By the end of the program, provided you pass the certification exam and complete all requirements, you receive a certification from Peak Performance Sports, LLC as a Mental Game Coaching Professional (MGCP) and the right to use the MGCP title and insignia. You’ll also earn a listing on MentalGameCoachingPro.com as a certified MGCP.

What MGCP Graduates Say

“Dr. Cohn’s MGCP program exceeded my expectations”

“Dr. Cohn’s MGCP program exceeded my expectations. His dedication and love for what he does shows in his teaching styles and his ability to thoroughly explain tough topics. I took this course because I’m a firm believer that an athlete’s mental strength is the most vital piece to their success. I wanted to be able to educate and help bring awareness to athletes about the importance of their mental game. My athletes are already seeing results and I cannot wait to see their overall growth. I highly recommend this course for anyone wanting to be an individual mental strength coach or build their team’s overall mental game.”*
~Meghann Tracy, MGCP

“MGCP course has taught me how champions think and act”

“Peak Performance Sports’ MGCP course has taught me how champions think and act. I have learned through Dr. Cohn’s practical, clear lessons and his patient guidance how to teach these skills to my own students. I want to thank you for sharing your experience and insights about mental coaching. You inspire us to commit to the process and explore our fullest potential as athletes, teachers, and people.”*
~Curtis Way, MGCP

“The MGCP program is great!”

“The information in the MGCP program is great! The arrangement of chapters, supportive handouts, case studies, and homework assignments weave the information, analysis, and planning together well.”*
~Gene Moretti, MGCP

“Provides a framework and step-by-step method”

“I’ve been involved in coaching for over 30 years and have included mental skills to help close the gap between potential and performance. I’ve attended numerous workshops relating to sport psychology throughout my career along with receiving a graduate degree in behavioral studies. Dr. Cohn fully shares his knowledge and extensive library of audio, visual, and printed materials with his class. The most valuable part of this program is that it provides a framework and step-by-step method of evaluation and implementation of the sound principles that he teaches; all of which are research-based, accepted, and on the cutting edge of sport psychology.”*
~Jim Bonfiglio, M.Ed., Certified MGCP, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Read more success stories at the Mental Coach Certification Website…

Requirements to Participate

• 5 years or more of experience as a competitive athlete, a coach, or trainer in your sport of expertise; or an MS in psychology or counseling psychology, or an NLP certification.
• Understanding of the psychological demands of your sport.
• Ability to apply what you learn to real-life sport scenarios.
• Access to a team or individual athletes you can work with during the program.
• A desire to learn about mental game coaching and sports psychology.
• Strong communication skills.

Interview with Frederic Merelle, MGCP

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What the MGCP Program Includes

• Dr. Cohn’s Athlete’s Mental Aptitude Profile (AMAP) and sport-specific assessments including the Golfer’s Mental Aptitude Profile (GMAP).
• Pre-seminar questionnaire templates to use before delivering a team seminar.
• The MGCP 20-chapter workbook with exercises covering mental skill development for individuals and teams, teamwork, and communication coaching.
• Over 150 mental game coaching handouts for team seminars and individual sessions.
• 18 real-life case studies, each focused on a different mental performance challenge, with Dr. Cohn’s coaching solution for each.
• Recorded case study sessions (audio and video) with Dr. Cohn’s actual athlete clients.
• A curated reading list of books, audios, and other resources to deepen your mental game coaching knowledge.
• A lifetime subscription to Peaksports.com members area with continuing education for certified MGCPs, including the ability to email Dr. Cohn with coaching questions (a $900 value).
• Qualification into the Mastermind program for mental game coaches (saves $395 as an MGCP).

Special Programs Included in the MGCP Course

These mental coach programs are included in the MGCP Course. They are also available to purchase separately. If you buy one or more outside of the MGCP course, you can apply the cost and upgrade to the self-paced or live certification course.

1. Athlete’s Mental Edge Workbooks — Accelerate your athletes’ learning and preparation between your regular sessions. The Athlete’s Mental Edge workbooks complement your existing mental training program. ($599) Learn More About The Mental Edge Workbook System

2. The AMAP Assessment System — Learn how to identify your athletes’ mental game challenges, what mental game issues to look for when reading the Athlete’s Mental Aptitude Profile, and how to write a summary. You’ll also get follow-up questions to ask and learn how to drill down on relevant topics. ($599) Learn More About The AMAP Assessment System

3. Mental Coach’s Playbook: Working With Sports Parents — Learn how to help sports parents support their athletes’ mental game using proven methods and tools. The Mental Coach’s Playbook complements your existing mental training program. ($399) Learn More About Mental Coach’s Playbook

Self-Paced vs. Live Certification

The self-paced program includes all the materials from the live certification program but without the weekly group sessions, case study reviews, final exam, and MGCP credential.

View the full comparison between the Self-Paced Program and the Live MGCP Certification Program.

After Certification: What You Can Do

Dr. Patrick Cohn has trained more than 500 certified mental performance coaches through the MGCP program. Graduates work with athletes from youth to professional level, including NFL teams, PGA Tour and LPGA Tour professionals, Olympic athletes, and national motocross champions.

As a certified MGCP, you can:

• Coach athletes one-on-one using Dr. Cohn’s structured mental game framework.
• Administer and interpret the Athlete’s Mental Aptitude Profile (AMAP) assessment.
• Build and deliver mental training programs for individual athletes and teams.
• Run one-hour mental performance seminars for sports organizations.
• Create mental game plans tailored to specific performance obstacles.
• Integrate mental skills coaching into an existing therapy or coaching practice.
• Receive referrals from Peaksports.com as a listed certified MGCP in your area.
• Access ongoing tips and resources from Dr. Cohn to grow your coaching practice.

Topics the Course Covers:

• The phases of mental coaching athletes.
• Top mistakes to avoid.
• How to get work with athletes and coaches.
• How to use the Athlete’s Mental Aptitude Profile (AMAP) and other mental game assessments.
• The top mental game skills for peak performance (confidence, focus, and more).
• How to improve the quality of practice.
• How to help athletes practice their mental skills.
• How to enhance team cohesion and communication.
• How to get feedback on your mental game coaching from athletes.
• How to deepen your mental game knowledge through other readings and research.
• Ethical principles for mental game coaches.
• Recognizing when to refer students to other qualified professionals.

Impact of the MGCP Course

Dr. Patrick Cohn has trained more than 500 certified mental game coaching professionals throughout his career. Participants work with athletes from youth through professional levels, including NFL teams, PGA Tour professionals, Olympic athletes, and national motocross champions.

Comparison of the MGCP and CMPC Certification Programs

Visit the Mental Game Coaching Professional website for a detailed comparison of both programs and find out which is right for your situation.

Get Started

• Apply now at the MGCP website.
• Visit the MGCP certification website for more information.
• Call us today at 888-742-7225.

Please complete the form below to receive more information about the next MGCP course:

FAQ: MGCP Mental Performance Coach Certification

What is the Mental Game Coaching Professional (MGCP) certification?

The MGCP certification is a 10-week program that trains coaches, trainers, and mental health professionals to work as certified mental performance coaches. It teaches Dr. Patrick Cohn’s Athlete’s Mental Edge Framework, client coaching systems, mental game assessment tools, and business development strategies.

Who is the MGCP certification for?

The program is for coaches, trainers, sports psychologists, counselors, therapists, and former athletes who want a structured system for coaching athletes’ mental performance. No prior psychology degree is required.

What will I learn in the MGCP program?

You will learn Dr. Cohn’s Athlete’s Mental Edge Framework covering the six core mental skills: confidence, concentration, trust, commitment, resilience, and emotional control. The program also teaches how to coach athletes effectively, create mental game plans, conduct assessments using the Athlete’s Mental Aptitude Profile (AMAP), and build your coaching business.

How long does the MGCP certification take to complete?

The program runs 10 weeks for standard cohorts (12 weeks for summer programs). It meets once per week for two hours via video conference, with 30 to 40 hours of homework across the full program, including athlete assessments, case studies, and mental game plan development.

How much does the MGCP certification cost?

The live certification course costs $4,500 with early registration, with 4 or 6-month payment plans available. The self-paced program costs $3,000. A hybrid option is available for students who cannot attend live sessions. Contact Peak Performance Sports for current availability and full payment details.

What is the difference between the self-paced and live certification programs?

The self-paced program includes all program materials but does not include weekly group sessions, case study reviews, the final exam, or the MGCP credential. The live program includes all of the above plus certification, a directory listing on MentalGameCoachingPro.com, and referral access. View the full comparison here.

Do I need a psychology degree to enroll?

No. The program accepts applicants with 5 or more years of experience as a competitive athlete, coach, or trainer, or an MS in psychology, counseling psychology, or NLP certification. Dr. Cohn has trained coaches from a wide range of backgrounds including sports coaches, fitness trainers, former athletes, and career changers.

Will I be able to work with athletes after certification?

Yes. Graduates are certified to coach athletes at all levels, from youth to professional. You will have the frameworks and tools to conduct mental game assessments, coach athletes one-on-one, run group programs, and deliver team seminars.

What ongoing support do I receive after certification?

Graduates receive a lifetime subscription to the Peaksports.com members area with continuing education resources, ongoing tips from Dr. Cohn, access to athlete referrals in their area, and the ability to contact Dr. Cohn via email with coaching questions.

How does the MGCP differ from the CMPC certification?

The MGCP is a practical coaching certification built around Dr. Cohn’s applied system. The CMPC (Certified Mental Performance Consultant) is issued by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology and carries different academic requirements. See the full comparison on the MGCP website to find out which program fits your situation.

What makes Dr. Cohn’s certification different from other programs?

Dr. Cohn brings over 40 years of experience in sports psychology, a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, mentorship under Bob Rotella, and frameworks used by professional athletes across multiple sports. The MGCP certification teaches practical, real-world coaching methods that have been applied with Olympic athletes, NFL teams, PGA Tour professionals, and more.

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Disclaimer

*Testimonials found on this site are examples of what we have done for other clients, and what some of our clients have said about us. However, we cannot guarantee the results in any case. Your results may vary and every situation is different. No compensation was provided for these testimonials.