AAPEX is sport psychology plus a whole lot more! Think of AAPEX as a "pit stop" that's available throughout your time at Harvard to address whatever's on your mind. AAPEX consultants are counselors, licensed psychologists, Harvard academic advisers, and certified sport psychology consultants who are very familiar with the College and its policies, resources, and administration. AAPEX consultants can show you different sport psychology techniques; they can serve as impartial, third-party "sounding boards"; they can help you sort through academic and non-academic decisions; they can help with conflict resolution; they can refer you to whatever specialized resources that you haven't heard about; and they can provide general personal and academic counseling. All you need to do is take the initiative to contact AAPEX and approach us with an open mind. The rest will unfold naturally.

AAPEX services are free (covered by your tuition) and confidential. To schedule an appointment or ask a question via e-mail, click here. You also might want to read our web page for team captains and coaches.

So exactly how have Harvard student-athletes used AAPEX? Here are some of the more common (and often overlapping) concerns that student-athletes have brought to us:

• New or returning Harvard athletes (usually freshmen, transfer students, or those returning from time away)
• adjusting to Harvard life and culture
• managing time (specifically, prioritizing tasks)
• living with teammates vs. non-teammates (blocking options)

• Regularly participating athletes
• reducing pre-performance and performance anxiety
• becoming and staying positive, motivated, and focused
• dealing with personal/interpersonal concerns (alcohol/drugs, sexuality, mental health concerns, etc.) that may or may not involve teammates
• managing time (e.g., balancing athletic participation with academic and other pursuits, studying while traveling, etc.)
• studying and reading strategically/effectively/efficiently
• assessing and understanding your identity as an athlete and the role of sport in your life
• addressing concerns or worries about someone else, such as a teammate
• relating to and working with your coaches, teammates, and other peers
• taking time away from your sport and/or Harvard, including study abroad programs and leaves of absence (voluntary or involuntary)

• Athletes in leadership positions (usually captains and co-captains)
• transitioning from "regular" team member to captain
• working with co-captains, coaches, and teammates (power dynamics, etc.)
• leading and following
• addressing your concerns about other team members

• Injured, non-participating, or limited-participation athletes
• anticipating the positive and negative effects of known, upcoming changes in participation
• adjusting to, and maximizing the benefits of, unexpected changes in participation
• using your mind to facilitate rehabilitation
• coping with and working through unpleasant "side effects" of limited participation (amotivation, increased irritability, difficulty concentrating, disrupted eating or sleeping habits, etc.)
• managing time (specifically, restructuring your schedule)
• replacing your sport with other beneficial activities
• understanding and developing your sense of self beyond your "athletic self"
• maintaining and negotiating relationships with teammates and other peers

• Departing athletes (usually graduating seniors)
• deciding whether to pursue Olympic or professional goals in sport
• anticipating life after Harvard
• anticipating life after the team
• making appropriate post-graduate plans in light of internal and external pressures

We at AAPEX look forward to working with you!