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ABOUT US
At the Sport Psychology Center, we are a group of over 20 psychologists and mental trainers who have a vision that all athletes will have access to mental training - in all sports, at all ages, at all levels and all over the country.
In 2010 we founded Sportdoc College and were the first in the country to teach Sport Psychology and certify mental trainers to work professionally with athletes. Since then, we have trained hundreds of people who now lead the field in sport psychology and work in a wide variety of sports.
In 2014 we created a unique pilot with the test prep company, Hamitmache, for the Israeli Bar Exam. There we tested the application and effectiveness of our tools from the world of sport psychology on test anxiety. The results were amazing and since then we specialize in exam anxiety treatment and work in collaboration with large global test prep companies.
Over the years we have researched the positive effects that sport has on youth and have developed the "Winner Within" program that uses sport as a therapeutic tool, which is a very different experience than conventional therapy. The program is designed for youth suffering from ADHD, social difficulties, low self-esteem, anger management, etc.
At the same time we offer workshops and fun days for businesses, organizations and schools. For many years we have been working with the Prime Minister's Office, CFO’s and other organizations on a variety of issues such as team building, concentration, dealing with pressure and stress and recovery.
MANAGEMENT TEAM
DR. ELLEN KATZ
FOUNDER & CO-OWNER
Tennis has always been a significant part of my life; I played throughout high school and university and when I immigrated to Israel (after marrying an Israeli) the first thing I did was join a tennis club.
I graduated university with a degree in clinical psychology and worked in the field for 10 years specializing in adolescence.
The connection between the world of psychology and sport has always fascinated me and in 1992, I decided to change direction and joined the Israel Tennis Center as a Sports Psychologist and began working with high performance athletes.
Over the next 18 years, my staff and I built professional programs to help athletes manage the pressure of competition that are used to this day in an array of different sports.
In 2010 I opened my own institute, The Sport Psychology Center, in order pass on to others the knowledge and experience I had accumulated over the years.
I also I taught Sport Psychology in the School of Behavioral Sciences at the Tel Aviv-Yafo Academic College.
For the past decade I have focused on creating up-to-date literature for our professional courses and workshops, building therapy programs for children and adolescents and developing tools and techniques for athletes and anyone required to perform under pressure.
ARIEL KATZ
DIRECTOR & CO-OWNER
I started my sport life in tennis, playing competitively for five years and was ranked in the top ten nationally. At the age of 13, I switched to football and played competitively until my military service, where I was a combat soldier and commander in the Givati Brigade.
In 2012 I joined the Sport Psychology Center and
since 2015, I direct the institute.
I completed my academic studies with a Master’s Degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology.
Today, in addition to managing the center, I work with competitive athletes in a variety of sports.
I also work individually with youth in the "Winner Within" program, which uses sports as a therapeutic tool to help treat ADHD, low self-esteem and social difficulties.
I also facilitate social skills groups combining youth football with sport psychology.
Nadav Katz
Therapeutic Coordinator
I joined the Sports Psychology Center because of my love and passion for both psychology and sports. I was part of the psychology team that developed the working model and materials for the Center that are being used with both athletes and high-performance teams.
I played competitive tennis from the age of six until the army and later, while studying for my bachelor's degree in business administration and social work, I worked as a tennis coach.
I have a master's degree in clinical social work and for seven years I coordinated the field of addictions (both youth and adults) at the Lev Hasharon Regional Council.
Today, I coordinate the therapeutic sphere of the Sports Psychology Center. In addition, I work with competitive athletes of different ages and work individually, mainly with children and youth, using sport as a therapeutic tool.
I lecture and give workshops for parents and teenagers on topics including fatherhood, parenting and adolescence, risk behaviors and anxiety.
Shachar Teichner
Parent Training Coordinator
Sports have always been a significant part of the house where I grew up and over the years, I was amazed to discover its great contribution to different areas of my life.
From a young age I danced professionally and at the age of 13, I found my love for volleyball, which I played until my military service
I have a master's degree in clinical social work and am currently studying for my doctorate.
For the past five years I worked in a residential treatment center where I provided treatment for teenagers and coordinated therapy with their parents.
For the last 8 years I have been part of the Sports Psychology Center, both coordinating parents’ groups and working individually with youth.
Shai Cohen
Project Manager & Mental Coach
On top of being a sports fan, from a young age I spent many hours on the soccer field. I started playing in a soccer club and later on a professional team, until my military service. In the army, I served as a team commander in training and command courses.
I have a bachelor's degree in psychology with a specialization in sports psychology. I was certified as a mental trainer in the course "Psychology of Sports and Mental Training for Athletes" by Sportdoc, in Israel, and I’m currently in the process of training as a facilitator at Tel Aviv University.
I have vast experience working with teens and young adults, both individually and in groups.
In addition to the world of sports, I have experience in social integration, working with at-risk youth and rehabilitative mentoring.
These diverse experiences help me see the athletes as people, not just related to sport and to accompany them on the journey they choose
Shai Cohen
Project Manager & Mental Coach
On top of being a sports fan, from a young age I spent many hours on the soccer field. I started playing in a soccer club and later on a professional team, until my military service. In the army, I served as a team commander in training and command courses.
I have a bachelor's degree in psychology with a specialization in sports psychology. I was certified as a mental trainer in the course "Psychology of Sports and Mental Training for Athletes" by Sportdoc, in Israel, and I’m currently in the process of training as a facilitator at Tel Aviv University.
In recent years I have been conducting group and personal training, as well as working with high performance athletes.
Shai Cohen
Project Manager & Mental Coach
On top of being a sports fan, from a young age I spent many hours on the soccer field. I started playing in a soccer club and later on a professional team, until my military service. In the army, I served as a team commander in training and command courses.
I have a bachelor's degree in psychology with a specialization in sports psychology. I was certified as a mental trainer in the course "Psychology of Sports and Mental Training for Athletes" by Sportdoc, in Israel, and I’m currently in the process of training as a facilitator at Tel Aviv University.
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I have vast experience working with teens and young adults, both individually and in groups.
In addition to the world of sports, I have experience in social integration, working with at-risk youth and rehabilitative mentoring.
These diverse experiences help me see the athletes as people, not just related to sport and to accompany them on the journey they choose
Shai Cohen
Project Manager & Mental Coach
On top of being a sports fan, from a young age I spent many hours on the soccer field. I started playing in a soccer club and later on a professional team, until my military service. In the army, I served as a team commander in training and command courses.
I have a bachelor's degree in psychology with a specialization in sports psychology. I was certified as a mental trainer in the course "Psychology of Sports and Mental Training for Athletes" by Sportdoc, in Israel, and I’m currently in the process of training as a facilitator at Tel Aviv University.
I have vast experience working with teens and young adults, both individually and in groups.
In addition to the world of sports, I have experience in social integration, working with at-risk youth and rehabilitative mentoring.
These diverse experiences help me see the athletes as people, not just related to sport and to accompany them on the journey they choose
In recent years I have been conducting group and personal training, as well as working with high performance athletes.
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