I want to begin by acknowledging that I fully understand the distinct roles each of you hold. When I worked in Major League Baseball, I was stationed at our Spring Training facility in a shared clinical space alongside the Physical Therapist and Athletic Trainers. Each morning, we held briefings to review protocols and discuss any noteworthy praises or concerns regarding specific players. My role was to identify and communicate emerging mental or emotional trends such as fear of re-injury, rehabilitation adherence issues, maladaptive perfectionism, or athletic identity concerns, all of which could significantly impact recovery timelines and outcomes.

Drawing from my tenure as a mental conditioning coach supporting an MLB injury roster, my experience teaching a graduate-level Psychology of Injury and Rehabilitation course to medical and educational professionals, and my own complex injury journey, I have developed an in-depth understanding of the models that (a) inform effective case conceptualization and (b) justify the use of various assessments and applied interventions for injured clients. At the same time, my lived experience has highlighted critical gaps within these models. For instance, how do we address psychological needs when a client requires several days of hospitalization? How should care shift between in-patient and out-patient procedures? Those who have experienced both understand that healing in a hospital versus at home requires different psychological support. This, combined with the complex macro and micro variables that shape each injury experience, is exactly where my consulting services add meaningful value.

While an interdisciplinary approach is widely recognized as best practice, implementing it consistently can be challenging amid demanding workloads and competing responsibilities. By partnering with The COPE Center, you will gain practical, evidence-aligned strategies for integrating psychological programming directly into your existing workflows. This allows physical and psychological care to function cohesively rather than as separate, compartmentalized components.

My role is to serve as a consultant who enhances your team’s capabilities. Instead of fostering dependence, my objective is to build your long-term confidence and competence in integrating psychological considerations into your current protocols. Through our collaboration, you will gain clarity on how to apply these strategies effectively, as well as when it is appropriate to refer a client to a mental performance professional or therapist. As with any client, when further assistance is needed, The COPE Center is also here for you when a referral is needed for more in-depth psychological care.

Overall, this collaborative approach strengthens the sustainability of your services, elevates the quality of your programming, and ultimately enhances outcomes for the clients you serve. If you’re interested in learning more, please complete the interest form below. From there, we can discuss how Dr. Erdner’s expertise can best support you and/or your team. Note: All programming is customized to each clinic’s unique audience, workflow, and goals, ensuring you receive services tailored specifically to your needs.