Noted Psychotherapist, Author to Lecture at Sport Psychology Conference

SPRINGFIELD — Professional, college, and even amateur athletes use many different methods and techniques to find that ‘sweet spot’ to perform their best at whatever sport they participate in. Some go so far as to have lucky charms and items of clothing that they simply won’t compete without.

But for many, even students and amateurs, competing and excelling at sports can be stressful and difficult on an ongoing basis or during a slump.

Dr. Jay Granat, a psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, author, lecturer, and coach based in River Edge, N.J., has been helping athletes excel for more than two decades.

On Friday and Saturday, April 10 and 11, he will present his newest method of ‘staying in the zone’ at the Sport Psychology Conference at Springfield College. His method involves getting athletes to implement and utilize daydreams and visualization to help them identify and achieve their goals. In the world of psychology, this is known as cognitive behavioral dream therapy.

Granat has coached athletes and their families from virtually every sport around the world. He has worked with an Olympic gold medalist, professional golfers, tennis pros, and elite, young athletes, and has lectured to many teams, clinics, camps, and some of America’s largest corporations. With a master’s degree and Ph.D. in counseling, he is the author of numerous books and self-help tapes and videos that provide support to athletes for stress, relaxation, medication, and visualization, all to help improve their game.

A former university professor, Granat writes a weekly column for four newspapers and has appeared in numerous national media outlets. Golf Digest named him one of America’s top 10 mental gurus. He is a member of The American Psychological Assoc. and the American Counseling Assoc. For more information, visit www.stayinthezone.com.