The Extra Gear founder earns distinction of Certified Consultant

Dana Blackmer, Ph.D., a resident of Richmond, has become one of the region's only professionals to earn the distinction of Certified Consultant by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), the leading organization of sport and exercise psychology.

Blackmer, founder of The Extra Gear (www.theextragear.com), is among the first to offer sports psychology services to athletes of all ages and ability levels in Richmond.  He specializes in youth sport; recreational and competitive athletes; parent education; injury and rehabilitation; team building; burn-out and overtraining; as well as balancing sport, school and life.

"A growing number of applied sport and exercise psychology professionals are certified by the AASP, though there are few in Greater Richmond, or throughout the Commonwealth for that matter," stated Blackmer.  Professionals who earn the designation Certified Consultant, AASP, have met a high standard of education and training in the sport sciences and in psychology. They also have undergone an extensive review process.

"Athletes need more than physical toughness. To perform at their peak, they need mental toughness to stay positive, motivated, confident, energized and focused," said Blackmer.

Blackmer is also a Certified Coach with USA Cycling and is listed on the U.S. Olympic Committee's Registry of Sport Psychologists. He is an adjunct faculty member at Virginia Commonwealth University's Sport Leadership program and holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.

SOURCE The Extra Gear