Scope of Practice, Confidentiality & Safeguarding Statement

SC Performance Mentality — Shauni Cunningham, CMPC · Tulsa, OK

This page explains how I work, who I work with, what stays confidential, and when I’ll break that confidentiality. If any of it is unclear, email scperformancementality@gmail.com and I’ll answer directly.

My credential and what it covers

I’m a Certified Mental Performance Consultant® (CMPC), the certification awarded by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). It’s a graduate-level qualification in the mental side of athletic performance: attention, confidence, motivation, emotional regulation under pressure, and recovery from setbacks.

A CMPC is not a licensed psychologist or therapist. I don’t diagnose or treat mental health conditions, and this work isn’t a substitute for clinical care. Where it’s useful, I draw on validated performance measures, including the Test of Performance Strategies (TOPS) and the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory-28 (ACSI-28), to see where an athlete’s mental skills are strong and where they need building.

Who I work with

I specialize in athletes ages 10 through 18, and also work with college athletes and adults. I work across all sports — what matters is the specific situation an athlete is facing, not the sport itself.

When I’ll refer you elsewhere

If something comes up that falls outside mental performance coaching — signs of depression, an anxiety disorder, disordered eating, self-harm, or a response to trauma — I’ll say so directly and refer you to a licensed mental health professional. I’d rather point you toward the right kind of support than stretch my scope to cover it.

Confidentiality: how it works

What an athlete tells me in a session stays between us. With parents, I share the themes we’re working on and how things are progressing — not a transcript of what was said. Athletes only get value from this work if they can be honest, and they’re only honest if they trust it isn’t being reported back word for word. I tell athletes this directly at the start of our work together, so everyone knows where they stand.

The exception: safety

If I ever had a concern about a young athlete’s wellbeing or safety, I would tell their parent or guardian. Athletes are told this upfront too, so nobody is caught off guard. Where required by law, I’m also obligated to report suspected abuse or an imminent risk of harm to the appropriate authorities.

Parent involvement

For younger athletes, a parent sitting in on the first session can help them settle. From around age fourteen, I’d usually suggest the parent step back, because the work depends on the athlete being able to speak freely. Either way, parents aren’t left in the dark: we agree a check-in rhythm at the start, and I’ll share the direction of the work and whether it’s helping.

Talking to coaches

I’ll only speak with a coach about an athlete’s work if both the athlete and the parent agree. Some families want the coach involved and it helps; plenty prefer to keep it separate, and that’s fine either way. Nothing goes to a coach without both of you saying yes.

Questions

If you want to talk through how any of this would apply to your situation before booking, email scperformancementality@gmail.com or use the contact form.