Dr. Michael Johnson Assistant Professor Educational Psychology
Dr. Johnson's Vita

About Dr. Johnson
Dr. Johnson is a graduate of Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL with a PhD from the university’s Combined Counseling and School Psychology program with a specialization in sport psychology. Additionally, Dr. Johnson’s doctoral program included a year long experiential component as a psychologist intern at the University of California-Riverside. Work at this university’s student psychological services center included supplying sport psychology services to four of the university’s NCAA teams and individuals on those teams. Additionally, Dr. Johnson also received training in the center’s biofeedback program, which was provided to interested clients (i.e., undergraduate and graduate university students).

Dr. Johnson has worked with university athletes in a variety of sports. His experience includes work with athletes who play football, tennis, water polo, baseball, softball, and soccer, as well as swimmers, divers, and runners. Two of the most common interests of these clients were improved performance and greater enjoyment of their athletic experience. Addressing these two areas is the primary goal of sport and exercise psychology skills training interventions.

Publications
Dr. Johnson’s primary areas of research fall into two areas. In the first area, he looks at the relationship between a person’s emotional intensity at a given point in time and his or her performance level. This research incorporates measures of human physiology via biofeedback and links these affective states with the person’s performance. Following identification of this individualistic relationship there is an attempt to train individuals to remain in their affective states that are most congruent with best performances. The hypothesis is that after such training, an individual’s ability to stay in a specific affective state will improve his or her performance and to do so on a more consistent basis. Implications in athletics, academics, business, and military contexts are potentially profound.

His second area of research investigates the factors involved in developing expert athletic performance and the possible systemic interaction among these factors. Interviews with World Record holders, their coaches, parents, and training partners has provided a great deal of insight into the developmental experiences of a number of elite and sub-elite athletes. Through these interviews Dr. Johnson has illuminated the similarities and differences that may play important roles in how the best in the world develop and apply themselves to improving their performances. Dr. Johnson has presented his research at several conferences, while also publishing a number of journal articles.

Overview of Sport Psychology
Sport psychology services can address a wide range of human experiences. Some individuals wish to improve their performance, while others desire to enjoy their exercising program more than they currently are. Generally, the provision of sport psychology interventions is designed to help people and teams who are currently experiencing negative or detrimental thoughts and/or feelings alter those cognitions and emotions in a supportive direction. An initial consultation with an athlete or exerciser is designed to specifically address his or her current challenges. Additionally, this preliminary meeting can be related to an individual’s or team’s experiences. Following this initial meeting an agreement is reached regarding what services specific to that individual will be provided.

Specific work with a sport psychology consultant can include training in goal setting, arousal control, imagery, thought restructuring, and performance enhancement routines. Clients include individuals, teams, and organizations.

Clinical concerns for individuals in Texas can also be addressed as Dr. Johnson is a provisionally licensed psychologist in the State of Texas (license #33521) under the supervision of Licensed Psychologist Dr. Eva Miller, who is a professor of Rehabilitation Counseling at UTPA.

Links
American Psychological Association (APA): www.apa.org
Association for the Applied Sport Psychology: www.aaasponline.org The North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity: www.naspspa.org