Mental Performance Coaching · Chicago & Virtual
Develop and discover the skills to pursue performance differently.
Individualized coaching for athletes, coaches, and high performers, building flexibility, courage, and values-driven processes so you can perform to heightened capabilities.
The NAP framework — built on openness, presence & values
The Approach
Notice. Allow. Play.
The sporting landscape is more competitive and professionalized than it was a generation ago, and the mental side of performance is still the most undertrained part of the game. NAP is a foundational framework for competing with a different perspective: noticing the conditions (thoughts, feelings, components of the game, etc.) in front of you, willingness to allow what is present instead of ignoring or avoiding it, and then working with the conditions to play them properly (acting in alignment with what matters to you).
The Steps
Notice
See the conditions for what they actually are — the wind, the scoreboard, the nerves — before reacting to them.
Allow
Let those conditions be there without needing to fix, fight, or wish them away first.
Play
Compete alongside the conditions. Make your next best move in alignment with the qualities and attitudes that matter to you.
Built On
Openness
Meeting what's actually happening instead of what you wish was happening.
Present-Moment Awareness
Staying with this thought, this shot, this play, creating the space to shift perspective, and refocus on what is important in the current moment.
Values & Attitude
Turning toward what you actually care about, and the attitude you bring to it.
How It Works
From first conversation to match day.
Free Consultation
A 15–30 minute call to talk through where things stand and whether it's a fit.
Intake & Assessment
The first session maps your goals, strengths, and current mental skills.
Build the Skills
A baseline package of sessions builds the specific tools your sport or role calls for.
Apply During Performance
Skills get carried into practice, competition, and the moments that count.
Services
Choose the path that fits where you are.
For Athletes, Coaches & High Performers
One-on-one sessions built around your goals, whether that's a specific skill, a mental block, or coming back from injury.
- Psychological flexibility & confidence
- Self-talk & goal setting
- Performing under pressure
- Injury rehabilitation & resilience
For Leaders & Coaches of Teams
Workshops for teams and organizations built around cohesion, culture, and a shared mission under pressure.
- Communication & concentration
- Team vision, values & culture
- Leadership development
- Identity & wellness beyond the sport
For Students & Athletes Headed to College
A structured 16-week program built on the NAP Framework for the shift into a new level of competition, academics, and personal growth.
- Clarity on expectations, goals & routines
- Openness toward change & the unplanned
- Pursuit of values, process & challenge
- Three phases: pre-transition, acute transition, long-term adaptation
For International Golfers Looking to Play in U.S. College Programs
Holistic support for golfers moving into college golf: adapting with less stress, performing with more freedom, and building transferable skills that outlast the recruiting process.
- U.S. academic, athletic & recruiting guidance
- Cultural, emotional & academic adjustment support
- Golf-specific mental performance training
- Parental education & expectation management
Outcomes
What you'll walk away with
Navigate Uncertainty
Handle difficulty and change without it derailing your performance.
Confidence & Composure
Improved focus under pressure, on and off the field.
Strategies That Stick
Tools for continuous improvement, built around your own game and routines.
Self-Awareness
A raised awareness of your own values and standards.
About
Craig Buhler, M.S.
Born and raised in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, just outside Detroit, I grew up with a passion for playing and watching sports, alongside a fascination with how often the mental side of the game gets left undertrained. That's what led me to sport psychology: being in a position to work with others to help them build awareness, insights, and clarity as to what they want to get out of their performance.
Today, I'm pursuing a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at North Park University while serving as the Graduate Assistant Men's and Women's Golf Coach. I've also worked in educational consulting in Manchester, England, helping students and athletes navigate the U.S. college admissions and recruiting process.
Personally, I am a massive Detroit Tigers, Michigan athletics (Go Blue), and Manchester United supporter. Now back in Chicago, I enjoy staying active with golf, tennis, pickleball (now padel), and basketball.
Working Together
What to expect from each other.
What you can expect from me
- Individualized support, built around you
- Curiosity- and solutions-focused conversation
- Investment in your holistic wellbeing, not just performance
- Mentorship, effort, and honest communication
What I'll ask of you
- A growth mindset — openness to learn and make mistakes
- Real effort: reflecting, giving feedback, training your mind like your sport
- Communication — punctual, honest, and forthcoming
Before You Book
Questions people ask before their first call.
What happens after I reach out?
We start with a free 15–30 minute consultation to talk through where things stand and whether working together makes sense — no pressure either way.
What does individual coaching actually look like?
A baseline package of 5 sessions (45–55 minutes each), starting with an intake and assessment. Each session opens with a check-in, moves into skills work, and closes with a short wrap-up — plus a follow-up email with resources and next steps. Everything is delivered online, so it fits around a training or travel schedule.
Do you work with teams and organizations?
Yes — group and team sessions typically run 60 minutes and can be booked as a one-off or a package. Available in person in the Chicago metro area or online anywhere.
Is this therapy?
No. This work is strictly mental performance-related — focused on education and coaching, not clinical treatment. I don't yet hold a license to treat a clinical mental health concern, and if one comes up, it's my responsibility to refer you to someone who can. If you're in crisis, please reach out to a licensed clinician or a crisis line.
How is my information protected?
Sessions happen through account-protected Google Meet, emails are sent with standard encryption, and client notes and contact information are kept secure — in line with the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) code of ethics.
What's your cancellation policy?
Sessions require 48 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule without being charged.
Do you work with golfers recruiting to U.S. colleges?
Yes — particularly UK golfers moving into NCAA programs. That includes academic and recruiting guidance, cultural and emotional adjustment support, and golf-specific mental performance training, alongside parental education to help the whole family navigate the process.
Get Started
Start with a free consultation.
Reach out by email, phone, or LinkedIn, or send a note below about what you're working on.
On the call, we'll cover
- What's happening within your performance right now, in your own words
- Whether individual or team coaching fits best
- A rough plan for your season or competition calendar
- Format, cadence, and initial next steps if still interested