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.
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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.
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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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Sport and Performance Psychology Consultant for Mater Dei High School athletics
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Mental Performance Coach working with high school teams from Servite High School, Edison High School, etc.
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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