Clinical Supervision: Sport and Performance Psychology

Is This For Me?

  • I’m a provisionally registered psychologist with the College of Alberta psychologists

  • I want to build capacity in sport and performance psychology

  • I’m working with, or want to work with, high-functioning clients

  • I prefer focused, applied skill development over broad, generalized training

  • I value relationship and community

Let's connect
A woman in a gray blazer with black hair tied back, sitting at a wooden table and working on a laptop. There is a vase with pink and green flowers on the table.
A woman in a gray blazer with black hair tied back, sitting at a wooden table and working on a laptop. There is a vase with pink and green flowers on the table.

Build effectiveness with high functioning populations

High-functioning and performance-focused clients often report that therapy feels supportive, but not effective in helping them reach their goals.

Working well with this population requires a precise balance of pressure and acceptance—along with the judgment to know when each is needed.

This is the niche we refine through supervision.

A person working at a desk with a laptop, notepad, pencil, and a glass of water.
A person working at a desk with a laptop, notepad, pencil, and a glass of water.

Work that stands up in high-performance environments

Support alone is not enough in high-performance environments. Work must translate into outcomes. Credibility comes from the development and application of purpose-built interventions that hold up when the clinician leaves the room.

Much of this work is in learning to effectively leverage the existing capacity and expertise of high-achieving individuals.

This work results in a set of interventions and frameworks that can be applied consistently in high-performance settings.

A desk setup with a black microphone on a stand, a pair of tortoiseshell glasses, a closed navy blue notebook with a white pen on top, a glass of amber-colored beverage on a wooden coaster, a white pen, a white vase with two beige and brown artificial flowers, and a pair of eyeglasses.
A desk setup with a black microphone on a stand, a pair of tortoiseshell glasses, a closed navy blue notebook with a white pen on top, a glass of amber-colored beverage on a wooden coaster, a white pen, a white vase with two beige and brown artificial flowers, and a pair of eyeglasses.

Mutually accountable mentorship

Supervision is approached as mutually accountable mentorship—clear expectations, direct feedback, and shared responsibility for meaningful development.

Waterstone was named for honing precision. This principle applies to both clients and trainees. The work is to refine and advance your clinical edge.

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair styled in loose curls, blue eyes, and wearing a navy blue short-sleeved top, standing against a blue wall.

Your Supervisor

Erin Zelinski, R.Psych

PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience

My path to the professional practice of psychology began in neuroscience. With a PhD in cognitive neuroscience, a Master's in Counselling Psychology, and postdoctoral research experience in psychosocial oncology, I bring a combination of scientific inquiry and applied clinical experience to my work as a psychologist and supervisor.

I founded Waterstone Psychology to bring that perspective to the treatment of mental health and performance concerns, particularly among athletes, high-performing professionals, and individuals navigating demanding environments.

My approach to supervision

I approach supervision as a collaborative process of developing clinical judgment, rather than simply teaching techniques or providing answers.

My supervisory style is grounded in motivational interviewing, with an emphasis on drawing out your existing knowledge, examining your clinical reasoning, and identifying opportunities for development. I believe that effective supervision requires both psychological safety and a willingness to engage in direct, constructive feedback.

We'll work together to understand what is maintaining a client's difficulties, develop interventions that address those mechanisms, and evaluate whether our work is producing meaningful change.

What I hope you'll take away

My aim is to help you develop a clinical approach that is thoughtful, adaptable, and distinctly your own.

I want you to leave supervision with more than a collection of interventions. I want you to understand the principles behind your clinical decisions, recognize when an approach isn't working, and have the confidence and flexibility to adjust course.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Supervision is tailored to your clinical experience, professional development goals, and the needs of your clients.

    Our work may include case conceptualization, treatment planning, intervention selection, ethical decision-making, and navigating complex clinical situations.

    A central focus is developing your clinical reasoning: understanding not only what to do, but why, when, and how to adapt your approach.

  • Primary supervision involves overarching responsibility for your supervised practice and professional development, including the monitoring, evaluation, and documentation required by the College of Alberta Psychologists.

    Secondary supervision provides additional support in a particular area of practice or clinical expertise, such as sport and performance psychology.

    We can discuss which arrangement is appropriate based on your current supervision structure and professional development goals.

  • No. Although sport and performance psychology is a primary area of focus, many of the principles we explore apply across high-performance and high-pressure environments.

    Supervision may be relevant if you work with athletes, executives, professionals, or other clients navigating demanding expectations, identity challenges, performance anxiety, burnout, or significant transitions.

  • Not necessarily. Supervision can support clinicians who are developing an interest in sport and performance psychology as well as those who already work with performance-focused populations.

    We will consider your existing competencies, clinical experience, and learning goals when determining whether the supervisory relationship is an appropriate fit.

  • Individual supervision typically ranges from $200–$225 per hour, depending on whether you require primary or secondary supervision and the level of support involved.

    We'll discuss your supervision requirements, anticipated time commitment, and any additional support needs during an introductory consultation so that you have a clear understanding of the fees before beginning.

  • Get in touch to arrange an introductory conversation. We'll discuss your clinical experience, professional goals, supervision requirements, and what you're hoping to gain from the relationship.

    This gives us an opportunity to determine whether we're a suitable fit and discuss next steps.