


Psychotherapist
Mental Performance Coach
Podcast Host
Former Division I Athlete
Social Activist
Meet the face behind the hoop
About Haley Herdman
As an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Mental Performance Consultant, I specialize in helping athletes cultivate mental resilience and peak performance. My journey began on the basketball court as a Division I athlete at Loyola Marymount University. Driven by a passion for mental health in sports, I pursued a B.A. in Psychology and later earned an M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California.
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Today, I integrate my experiences as both an athlete and a therapist to assist athletes in developing mental skills, managing high-pressure situations, and fostering healthier relationships with themselves and others. My approach bridges the gap between performance and wellness, emphasizing that mental health is integral to athletic success.
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I co-host the Mental Training Room podcast, where we explore the psychological aspects of athletics—delving into the behind-the-scenes experiences of athletes and discussing how mental skills training can enhance performance. The podcast is candid, authentic, and grounded in the belief that vulnerability is a strength.
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Beyond my work with athletes, I am a dedicated advocate for social justice. I am deeply committed to issues such as body autonomy, equal pay, LGBTQIA+ rights, and equity for historically marginalized communities. I believe that mental wellness is intrinsically linked to social awareness, and I incorporate this perspective into all aspects of my practice.​

My Mission & Services
​While athletes dedicate countless hours to physical training, true excellence also demands mental fortitude. Skills such as focus, confidence, resilience, and emotional regulation are pivotal for consistent high-level performance. Through deliberate mental training, athletes can enhance their ability to stay composed under pressure, recover from setbacks, and unlock their full potential.
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At the heart of my mission is a commitment to creating a safe, inclusive space that honors the diverse cultural identities of every client. I aim to provide culturally responsive care that recognizes and integrates each individual’s unique values, beliefs, and lived experiences. My services are rooted in inclusivity, ensuring that every client feels seen, heard, and genuinely understood.
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Individual Sessions
Our one-on-one sessions focus on enhancing key mental skills—including confidence, focus, resilience, and emotional regulation—to help you meet the psychological demands of competition. Utilizing evidence-based techniques like goal setting, visualization, positive self-talk, and stress management, you'll build the mental toughness required for consistent, high-level performance.
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Team Workshops
Our interactive team workshops aim to boost collective performance, communication, and resilience. By focusing on mental skills such as focus, confidence, and pressure management, teams engage in group exercises and discussions that foster a stronger mindset, improved collaboration, and effective application of mental strategies during competition and beyond.
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Family Sessions
Family sessions are designed to enhance communication, resilience, and emotional regulation within both sports and everyday contexts. Through interactive exercises and practical strategies, families learn to support their athletes effectively, manage pressure, and cultivate a positive, unified mindset—laying the groundwork for confidence, motivation, and success.
Mental Training Room
Mental Training Room is a podcast hosted by former Division I basketball players Haley Herdman and Naomi Yim. Designed as a community and safe space for the athlete community, our goal is to foster honest conversations about the mental health challenges that come with sports while also advocating for mental skills training for athletes, all in hopes to close the gap from mental unprepared to mentally elite!
Through insightful discussions with a diverse range of guests-including mental health professionals, current and former athletes, coaches, and much more-we aim to provide comfort, relatability, and practical takeaways for our listeners. In our episodes, we talk mindset, performance pressure, recovery, identity, and other authentic stories. While this podcast is not a substitute for professional help, we hope each episode reminds you that you're not alone in this journey.

Credentials
2025
Mentored by Association for Applied Sport Psychology Approved Mentor - Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC
MPC
2024
AMFT147651
SHIELDS for Families, Supervised by: Kimberly McElreath LCS21656
2022-2024
M.S. MFT
USC
MFT Trainee at Counseling Partners of Los Angeles / Serra High School
2018-2022
B.A. Psychology
LMU
Division I Student-Athlete / Team Captain / SAAC WBB Team Representative / WCC Student-Athlete Representative