Gabriela works as a sport psychologist with top athletes, parents and coaches. She focuses on increasing mental resilience, stress management, improvement of concentration and self-confidence. In her practice, she uses the cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and the Biofeedback device.

Gabriela also does research when working with the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic, specialising in performance of pilots of supersonic Gripen aircrafts and other special forces under extremely stressful conditions.

She works as a therapist of a wide range of athletes, including national representatives and Olympic hopes, especially athletes, football and tennis players as well as MMA wrestlers. She is also part of the Entropiq e-sports team where she works as a mental coach of the best players on the Czech and foreign scene. She is a member of the Association of Sport Psychologists and an expert cooperating with the Czech Electronic Sport Association. www.performance-psychology.cz

Gabriela, who are you and what is your focus? What is your life goal?

First of all, I am a psychologist so the main goal of my work is to help people. Whether I work with a celebrity or a novice athlete, my approach to therapy is always the same and it’s based on the main pillars of structure and regular evaluation that helps the client know the clear steps that need to be taken to achieve the set goal. My long-term goal and dream is to popularize sport psychology to such an extent that a psychologist, or at least the principles of mental training, will become part of sports training from athletes’ early age, as is often the case abroad. This would prevent the burnout of sport talents that occur only due to mental instability and we could be able to build their sport careers on much stronger foundations.

The theme of the 13th year of the Conference is “Tips & Tricks”. What are the main ideas you will want to talk about?

I want to speak about practical use of sport psychology methods applicable to the work environment. The topic of stress and anxiety is a big part of it and it is possible to grasp it in a very practical form of practicing relaxation techniques, controlled breathing or the use of biological feedback. Preparing for performance, whether in sports or at work, is also key and if we understand it well there is no need to be afraid of the upcoming performance. I will also outline the basics of mental training applicable at work and in personal life.

How would you describe a person marked as Experienced Professional or working with know-how and skill?

From my point of view, it is a person with a clear goal and a path to it which they adhere to despite obstacles. They have experience and can use it in their work and also pass it on.