Dr. Shander’s passion for sport psychology began during her time as a collegiate swimmer at the University of Iowa, where she specialized in the 100- and 200-yard breaststroke.
It was there that she discovered the profound connection between psychology and athletic performance, inspiring her to pursue a PhD in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Sport Psychology at the University of North Texas.
Her dissertation examined the transition out of sport, exploring life satisfaction and psychological well-being among retired female collegiate athletes.
Throughout her training and clinical work, Dr. Shander became increasingly aware that mental health does not look the same for every individual. She recognizes that psychological struggles often present differently across athletes, performers, and professionals, shaping her integrative approach to assessment, intervention, and performance enhancement.
Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, she strives to understand each person’s unique experiences, relationships, strengths, and environment to foster lasting well-being and sustainable performance.
Today, Dr. Shander is a licensed psychologist and Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) listed on the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee Mental Health and Mental Performance Directory.
She consults with USA Gymnastics Trampoline & Tumbling and collaborates with collegiate, professional, and youth athletic organizations throughout Texas. Drawing from both her personal experience as a competitive athlete and her clinical expertise, Dr. Shander understands the psychological demands of high performance and helps athletes, performers, and professionals cultivate resilience, optimize performance, and enhance overall well-being.