Psychological tests, whether conducted in a psychologist’s office or in a company or at the NFL Combine all fall under very strict confidentiality rules, established by the American Psychological Associations Ethics Committee.  These tests should never be administered unless a licensed psychologist, with expertise in testing and ethics, is in complete control of the testing and the dissemination of the results.   

Although the athletes at the NFL Combine may sign a release so that teams can receive their results, these releases should specify that ONLY TEAM personnel receive them; they should not be available to the media.  Just imagine how you would have felt if your SAT scores were distributed to the media for publication. 

Part of the problem here, is that the Wonderlic is an outdated test, with no predictive validity studies linking scores to success on the field.  There are much better assessments available to predict athletic success in competition, yet the powers in charge of the NFL Combine seem married to an archaic, rarely used assessment which according to Wonderlic’s site states that the test used as part of the NFL draft is the Wonderlic Personnel Test. 

So, the first question we need to ask is why is this test still used?  So much money is spent on athletes in professional sports.  Why not spend a little money to develop an assessment that REALLY assesses this particular group?

Jack N. Singer, Ph.D.
Certified, Licensed Sport Psychologist
Diplomate, National Institute of Sports Professionals, Division of Psychologists
Diplomate, American Academy of Behavioral Medicine
Certified Hypnotherapist, American Academy of Clinical Hypnosis

Call 1-800-497-9880 now for a FREE 20 minute phone consultation with Dr. Jack Singer.

**You have permission to reprint in your publication or to your website/blog any articles by Dr. Jack Singer found on this Website as long as Dr. Jack Singer’s name and contact information is included. Jack Singer, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Sport Psychologist, Marriage, Family & Relationship Therapist, Professional Motivational Speaker. http://drjacksinger.com, toll free 800-497-9880.

The anxiety that often accompanies a chronic illness can significantly interfere with the healing process and adherence to the treatment plan. But regular exercise can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety, a new University of Georgia study shows. 

Exercise sessions greater than 30 minutes were better at reducing anxiety than sessions of less than 30 minutes, the researchers found. But surprisingly, programs with a duration of between three and twelve weeks appear to be more effective at reducing anxiety than those lasting more than 12 weeks. The researchers noted that study participants were less likely to stick with the longer exercise programs, which suggests that better participation rates result in greater reductions in anxiety. 

“Our findings add to the growing body of evidence that physical activities such as walking or weight lifting may turn out to be the best medicine that physicians can prescribe to help their patients feel less anxious,” said lead author Matthew Herring, a doctoral student in the department of kinesiology, part of the UGA College of Education. 

As reported in Science Daily, “The patients in the studies suffered from a variety of conditions, including heart disease, multiple sclerosis, cancer and chronic pain from arthritis. In 90 percent of the studies examined, the patients randomly assigned to exercise had fewer anxiety symptoms, such as feelings of worry, apprehension and nervousness, than the control group. “We found that exercise seems to work with just about everybody under most situations,” said study co-author Pat O’Connor, professor and co-director of the UGA Exercise Psychology Laboratory. “Exercise even helps people who are not very anxious to begin with become more calm.” 

You can see the tremendous value of exercise goes well beyond body image and weight management.  By reducing anxiety and depression, exercise goes a long way toward healing the body.  Healing starts with the mind and exercise enables the mind to perform its magic for the body!

Jack N. Singer, Ph.D.
Certified, Licensed Sport Psychologist
Diplomate, National Institute of Sports Professionals, Division of Psychologists
Diplomate, American Academy of Behavioral Medicine
Certified Hypnotherapist, American Academy of Clinical Hypnosis

Call 1-800-497-9880 now for a FREE 20 minute phone consultation with Dr. Jack Singer.

**You have permission to reprint in your publication or to your website/blog any articles by Dr. Jack Singer found on this Website as long as Dr. Jack Singer’s name and contact information is included. Jack Singer, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Sport Psychologist, Marriage, Family & Relationship Therapist, Professional Motivational Speaker. http://drjacksinger.com, toll free 800-497-9880.

Just recently an emotional LaDainian Tomlinson bid farewell to his team, to the fans who supported him from the beginning, and to the dream of playing for the San Diego Chargers through his entire, record-setting career. Several times during the questions from the press, L.T. discussed professional football being a “business,” alluding to the fact that decisions are made for business reasons, despite the feelings and desires of the players. 

L.T.’s dismissal from the Chargers is like any other business laying off a loyal employee, where the message received is something like, “It doesn’t matter that you have contributed so much to our organization. You are no longer useful to us.”

Many observers claim that with the current Charger coaching staff, the running game is eschewed in favor of the pass, thus rendering L.T.’s contribution “unimportant” and his continual presence too expensive. Whether that is the reason the decision was made is not being made public, but one thing that was made public was L.T.’s candid revelation a few weeks ago that there was something wrong with the “organizational climate” this season. 

Too often, professional athletes feel like they are “pieces of meat” who are revered as long as they can produce what is expected of them. Injuries are no excuse…don’t perform and we’ll find someone who will. Where is the loyalty? “It’s a business,” they say, rather than a family, where folks look out for and help each other during difficult times. 

If a company’s productivity or its’ employee morale drops, they can hire a management consultant to diagnose the causes. Professional sports teams can do the same thing, but they rarely do. Instead, they just go out and look for bodies to take the place of the people they let go and hope that the “organizational climate or culture” will accommodate them. Sadly, these teams are missing the true causes of their difficulties. Their biggest assets are their athletes, yet the management of these teams rarely give them the dignity and respect to try to assess what’s happening with them, in order to right the ship. 

Professional Sport Psychologists are fully equipped to help teams assess the “organizational climate or culture” issues, not only to right the ship, but to prevent problems from occurring. Perhaps if the Chargers had done this in the first place, L.T. would be finishing his glorious career with the team he loved so much.

Jack N. Singer, Ph.D.
Certified, Licensed Sport Psychologist
Diplomate, National Institute of Sports Professionals, Division of Psychologists
Diplomate, American Academy of Behavioral Medicine
Certified Hypnotherapist, American Academy of Clinical Hypnosis

Call 1-800-497-9880 now for a FREE 20 minute phone consultation with Dr. Jack Singer.

**You have permission to reprint in your publication or to your website/blog any articles by Dr. Jack Singer found on this Website as long as Dr. Jack Singer’s name and contact information is included. Jack Singer, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Pyschologist, Sport Psychologist, Marriage, Family & Relationship Therapist, Professional Motivational Speaker. http://drjacksinger.com, toll free 800-497-9880.

Although I believe his speech was scripted by media savvy consultants, I did find Tiger’s taking full responsibility for failing his wife, family, sponsors, colleagues and especially youngsters (who have put him on the pedestal of supreme role model) sincere and from the heart. 

Moreover, the admission that he needs more therapy for his sex addiction was a relief to me, since so many people diagnosed with any addiction often look for a quick fix and deny their need for more help.  Addicts need years of therapy in order to gain insight and learn to shut down the Dopamine producing effects of their addiction. 

Behavioral addictions, such as sexual or gambling addictions, can be just as powerful as an addiction to heroin, in terms of stimulating the pleasure center of the brain.  Most sex addicts live in denial of their addiction, and treating an addiction is dependent on the person accepting and admitting that he or she has a problem. In many cases, it takes a significant event—such as the incredible media circus that Tiger found himself in the center of to force the addict to admit to his or her problem.

Overcoming chemical addictions is facilitated by complete abstinence, but it is unrealistic to expect a sex addict never to engage in sex, particularly if he/she is still married.  Therefore, the stimulation of “normal” relations with his wife can stimulate the drive that Tiger is trying to overcome which is of course a natural conflict. 

My professional sense is that Tiger and his wife will need 3-5 years of continual therapy in order to not only eradicate Tiger’s addiction, but to repair the damage to their relationship and the family relation and begin to build anew.  This can be accomplished, although there will certainly be ups and downs.  With Tiger’s profession and the travel that goes with it, trust will be a major issue for his wife to deal with and rebuild.  In addition, there are reports that there was a great deal of unprotected sex taking place, meaning that, in addition to the emotion impact of infidelity, there may be other consequences, such as sexually transmitted diseases, and in Tiger’s case, law suits!

None of this should be construed to be pessimism on my part.  Throughout my career as a psychologist, I have seen hundreds of couples rebound from these situations and build their marriages stronger than ever.  It can be done and I sincerely hope that the Woods family can be preserved.

However, if I had an opportunity to counsel Tiger Woods, I would tell him to be very cautious about continuing to surround himself by “yes men” and sycophants who will absolutely look the other way when he exhibits warning signs of falling back into that very destructive behavior. I would advise him to surround himself with people who genuinely have his and his family’s best interest at heart and who will not fail him by looking away.  That goes not only for his friends and colleagues, but for his therapy team, as well!

 I wish Tiger and Elin Woods well and hope that they will make it through this very difficult time in their lives with their family still together and stronger than ever. In my next article, I will address the sport psychology issues involved in Tiger getting back into the swing of his golfing career.

Jack N. Singer, Ph.D.
Certified, Licensed Sport Psychologist
Diplomate, National Institute of Sports Professionals, Division of Psychologists
Diplomate, American Academy of Behavioral Medicine
Certified Hypnotherapist, American Academy of Clinical Hypnosis

Call 1-800-497-9880 now for a FREE 20 minute phone consultation with Dr. Jack Singer.

**You have permission to reprint in your publication or to your website/blog any articles by Dr. Jack Singer found on this Website as long as Dr. Jack Singer’s name and contact information is included. Jack Singer, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Pyschologist, Sport Psychologist, Marriage, Family & Relationship Therapist, Professional Motivational Speaker. http://drjacksinger.com, toll free 800-497-9880.

Today I spent most of the day with a group of Todd Durkin’s pro athletes and presented my workshop titled “Winning the “Inner Game” of Sports…Consistently!”

It was an amazing day and these athletes are incredibly motivated to develop both their minds and their bodies.

We all train the left side of our brains for our sport, business and performance goals in life.

What is often left untouched in our training is the right side of the brain…the side that is responsive to, emotions, feelings, music, balance, visualization and the secret weapon—Self-Hypnosis.

In this workshop I taught the fundamentals of what you need to know to develop the right side of your brain, to maximize your skills, your success and even your health!

• The #1 predictor of peak performance. Beleive it or not, your biggest obstacle to sports success is NOT your opponent!
• The impact of yoru inner dialague on your athletic performance.
• Staying in “The Now.”
• The amazing mind-body connection.
• Self-hypnosis in less than 30 seconds.

Todd had cameras rolling all day and I will post video as soon as I get it from him. In the meantime, please visit this page to download your free copy of Hypnosis for Sports Success.

WordPress Plugins

Click here to schedule your free 20 minute initial consultation with Dr. Jack.

Six years ago, at the age of 35 our niece, Jamie Glaubach Schiavo, who is a single mom  (and who is as close as a daughter could be to us) was diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer.   

At the time, Jamie was juggling multiple jobs to make ends meet and her two small children, who could not have understood the implications, were her most important priority.  She approached this challenge with boundless energy and an upbeat joyful nature.  Those of you who know Jamie know her to have a heart of gold.  Nothing would be too much to ask of her. She is the first person to offer her time for friends and strangers alike. For a time Jamie was successful in combating the spread of this disease using traditional chemotherapy and radiation treatments. About a year and a half ago, Jamie learned that the cancer had metastasized.  Recently Jamie found out that the cancer has spread again.  We no longer see conventional medicine as a viable option for Jamie’s treatment. 

After a great deal of research Jamie has chosen to seek adjunct medical therapy consisting of non-and low-toxic alternative cancer treatment.  The initial treatment will be conducted at a facility out of state, over a three week period.  This treatment will continue for months thereafter and will involve subsequent visits to the clinic.  The cost for all of this is prohibitive.   

Unfortunately, health insurance is not an option and we alone cannot reach our target goal of raising $250,000.  We are now reaching out to our friends and family and asking you to reach into your hearts and give whatever amount you can.  We have established a fund through our synagogue, Shomrei Torah, in Jamie’s name.  Your tax deductible donation will ensure that Jamie can receive the best possible care in hopes for a remission/cure for her disease so that se may continue enjoying the fulfilling life she deserves.

The address to send your donation is: 

Shomrei Torah Synagogue (STS)
Rabbi Camras Discretionary Fund
7353 Valley Circle Blvd. 
West Hills, CA 91304

Please remember to put Jamie Schiavo on the memo portion of your check to ensure proper placement of funds. If you wish to use a credit card or Pay Pal, here is the link to the donation site for Jamie and your donation will still be tax deductible. 

We must exhaust all measures to make sure Jamie remains the mother she needs to be for her young children. 

We will keep you informed of her progress.  

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  If you would like to pass this on to people on your mailing lists, we would certainly appreciate it.

Ronnie  & Jack Singer

Of much greater concern to me is his hiding and disclosure that he will be giving up golf indefinitely.  As a Clinical and Sport Psychologist, my belief is that Tiger Woods is in the throes of a major emotional breakdown, which involves mourning what is essentially the death of his life as he knew it all of these years.  His marriage may be irreparably damaged, his children may be headed for Sweden, his sponsors are jumping overboard daily and he has humiliated himself and his family.

I pray that he is in the hands of a competent psychologist…not just in the hands of the PR folks, bodyguards and “yes men” who try to insulate him.  My concern is that he may feel so overwhelmed and so battered that thoughts of death may be preferable to facing the complete meltdown of his life, both public and personal. Certainly many people have taken their lives for lesser reasons.

It’s time to stop feeding off of Tiger’s circumstances, leave him be and hope that he can get the competent help he needs to come to grips with his demons and the triggers that led him into the dangerous waters in which he has been swimming.  Only then can he heal and put his life back together again. 

Call 1-800-497-9880 now for a FREE 20 minute phone consultation with Dr. Jack Singer.

**You have permission to reprint in your publication or to your website/blog any articles by Dr. Jack Singer found on this Website as long as Dr. Jack Singer’s name and contact information is included. Jack Singer, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Pyschologist, Sport Psychologist, Marriage, Family & Relationship Therapist, Professional Motivational Speaker. http://drjacksinger.com, toll free 800-497-9880.

Despite an unusual rain storm in Southern California, we had a full house of people who were excited and energized by the presentations from me, Athletic Performance Coach Leslie Cordova and Vito LaFata. 

I showed the audience the secrets to sports success that even most pros don’t understand and demonstrated what I call the “Unfair Advantage”.  I also discussed Sports Hypnosis and showed the audience how they could be put into a hypnotic state is less than 30 seconds. The crowd let us know that they were leaving invigorated and motivated to reach greater levels of performance in their sports. All in all, it was a great day!

Call 1-800-497-9880 now for a FREE 20 minute phone consultation with Dr. Jack Singer.

**You have permission to reprint in your publication or to your website/blog any articles by Dr. Jack Singer found on this Website as long as Dr. Jack Singer’s name and contact information is included. Jack Singer, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Pyschologist, Sport Psychologist, Marriage, Family & Relationship Therapist, Professional Motivational Speaker. http://drjacksinger.com, Toll Free 800-497-9880.

If the allegations of multiple liaisons with multiple partners, many of whom Tiger professed his love for, are all true, then it’s reasonable to assume he is suffering from a Love Addiction and possibly a Sex Addiction.  Both of these conditions are as real and debilitating as alcohol, drug  or gambling addictions.  This is an illness and it is so controlling that it makes people take terrific risks in order to satisfy their cravings. 

Think about what Tiger was risking over the years…if anyone saw him with another woman, his marriage and career could have come to a screaming halt, as it did recently.  That’s how strong addictions can be.  Live for today to satisfy your need and worry about the consequences later.

My point is that Tiger needs serious therapy to overcome this malady…not scorn and ridicule. I hope that the ravenous media will give him and his family some much needed privacy to work out their problems.

**You have permission to reprint in your publication or to your website/blog any articles by Dr. Jack Singer found on this Website as long as Dr. Jack Singer’s name and contact information is included. Jack Singer, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Pyschologist, Sport Psychologist, Marriage, Family & Relationship Therapist, Professional Motivational Speaker. http://drjacksinger.com, Toll Free 800-497-9880.

My view may be simplistic, but here it is.  People with power often develop a false sense of entitlement and believe that they “deserve” to have whatever pleasure they wish, whenever, and with whomever.  We are shocked about Tiger because he was supposedly a clean cut Stanford guy, a role model for young Blacks who never dreamed of golf as a profession…a husband and father who protected his personal life and shielded his family from the public.

The problem is that many of these so called “icons” have never really been pressed to work through emotional and personal vulnerabilities like the rest of us mortals.  Even these athletes, who do engage in getting help, do so under the umbrella of “Sport Psychology,” which sounds a lot safer than a cry for help.  They surround themselves with “yes men” and are rarely confronted with the inappropriateness of their private behavior.

We need to remember that these folks are just like the rest of us.  Subject to the same temptations and weaknesses, regardless of their fame and fortune.  I, for one, believe they are entitled to their privacy, instead of airing their laundry across the media landscape.  Perhaps when people start “being real” with these people from an early age, then these “icons” won’t delude themselves into believing they are entitled to do what they want and to whomever.

Call 1-800-497-9880 now for a FREE 20 minute phone consultation with Dr. Jack Singer.

**You have permission to reprint in your publication or to your website/blog any articles by Dr. Jack Singer found on this Website as long as Dr. Jack Singer’s name and contact information is included. Jack Singer, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Pyschologist, Sport Psychologist, Marriage, Family & Relationship Therapist, Professional Motivational Speaker. http://drjacksinger.com, Toll free 800-497-9880.