Premier Mental Performance is a performance psychology private coaching practice and content platform focused on helping athletes, artists, and others perform at their very best.
Who We Serve
Youth Athletes (Ages 10-18)
Artists & Creative Professionals
College & Pro Athletes
Clubs & Organizations
Coaches
Ben Kissam, M.S.
Owner, Founder
Ben Kissam is a writer, author, and mental performance consultant. As a sport psychology professional leading Premier Mental Performance, Ben helps athletes and performers of all ages unlock their full potential by developing mental skills. Ben holds an M.S. in Exercise and Sport Psychology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and a B.S. in Movement and Sports Science from Springfield College. He is actively pursuing certification as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP).
Consulting Philosophy
My work is rooted in autonomy, empathy, and meeting clients where they are. I believe athletes and performers are the experts on their sport and life, and my role is to provide tools, insights, and guidance that help you make confident choices and grow. I strive to be approachable and nonjudgmental, and encourage clients to explore what feels true to them and to reflect on the inner voices that sometimes create doubt or performance challenges.
I also practice many of the skills I teach. Daily meditation helps me understand the benefits and potential challenges of living mindfully, and martial arts and fitness training keeps me connected to the pursuit of growth. This commitment allows me to guide clients with authenticity and help them develop skills and routines that actually work in the trenches.
Orientation
As a mental performance consultant, I strive to be flexible and centered on your needs. I draw from a wide range of approaches, including:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment (MAC)
- Psychological skills training
At the foundation is a humanistic approach, which treats you as capable of growth and self-actualization.
At the same time, I acknowledge the world of sport and performance demands results, which is where structured tools and strategies come in to challenge unhelpful thoughts, alleviate stress, and elevate performance.