About
Me
Anica Carnahan, MS Performance Psychology
Passionate About Empowering High- Performers
Dance has always played an essential role in my identity having taken my first class twenty-three years ago. After spending over ten years in the studio environment, I was accepted into a performing arts high school program that opened my mind and body to dance all over again. At Chapman University, I had the opportunity to continue to study dance at both an academic and experiential level. When moving halfway across the world to Scotland for graduate school, I knew I needed to find dance, and was honored to join a dance society that traveled across the UK competing. Being a dancer, performer, and mover will always be a part of my identity and play a role in my professional identity.
I believe that many spaces across various high-performing domains are missing the mental health support that is widely accepted in other aspects of our lives. From breaking into your field to maintaining success, there is a benefit in exploring the concepts of performance psychology such as self-identity that allow us to perform at our most optimal, no matter the stage.
At AC Mental Performance you gain an advocate and support system that focuses on optimizing performance authentically. I am committed to developing humans who are authentic, confident, vulnerable, empowered, and performing at their absolute best. With a holistic perspective, all aspects of my clients' lives are optimized from sleep to mental energy to physical activity and recovery. Within this safe space, I truly believe humans whether performing on a field, stage, or boardroom can develop the psychological and physical skills needed to be both resilient and successful within a competitive environment.
Education & Certifications
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Currently working towards my Doctorate of Education in Sport and Performance Psychology at the University of Western State (2027 expected graduation)
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MS Performance Psychology (University of Edinburgh)
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Chapman University BA Psychology (minor in dance)
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Hintsa Certified Mental Performance Coach
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Certified Mental Performance Consultant in progress
Qualifications
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Mental Performance Coach for the National Association for Athlete Mental Health
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Current clients range from professional performers on Broadway, nationally ranked athletes, and business executives
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Dance Coach at studios across Orange Country Studios, Chapman University, and California State University Fullerton
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Performance Psychology Coach works with teams and athletic departments at Mater Dei High School, Servite High School, and Edison High School