Isn't that what Rootes was studying at uni?

Sure he'll pop up soon.

IMO it wont be that helpfull.

what is it? like a 1 or 2 year course?

to be honest you thinking you cant do things is in your head.

you know yourself what your capable off.
you just need confidence in yourself and to belive in yourself.

i cant see how you can be tought otherwise.

(please bare in mind this is just my opinion)
personally i wouldnt worry. but i suppose for some people it might help.

i just find part of riding is progressing through pushing yourself to your limits on your own will.


Interdh5

You're spot on.

Those who say it's not useful either

a) have no clue what they're talking about
b) are uber cynical

I'm currently working with a lecturer who worked for the GB Badminton team at the last Olympics, working with Gail Emms and Nathan Robertson.  It's a hugely in depth area, my dissertation is going to be MTB related with a bit of luck this year.

Psychology makes a HUGE difference to performance if you're coached correctly.  It's becoming more prominant in pro sports, and like you said, the Athertons, along with the whole GB Olympic Cycling team utilise psychologists, and look where it's got/getting them.

It's not as straight forward as you make it sound Interdh5.  If you're curious, any of you.  Drop me a line, I've been coaching Harry (barn owl) on here for a year now using my Psychological approaches...He's quick as FOOK for someone who's only been riding a bike for a year.

Rooets

The point is that you're not taught otherwise. Rather, you're taught to really believe it. And how to utilise that belief and confidence when it's needed.

The mind is a powerful thing - we all know how a previous negative experience can have a dramatic effect on how you now approach something, regardless of how you rationalise it.

But the opposite holds true also.

You can dismiss the following as new age guff if you like. But a psychotherapist can allow you to remap feelings at will to some extent e.g. allowing nervous anxiety/stress etc to be perceived and focussed as confidence/strength/power etc by building on your positive experiences.
 
To be fair I've never had this applied to DH, but my thai boxing coach was a great exponent of this kind of thing and it definitely worked for that.

I'm not mate, but I know "of" him.

Works at Newc uni and runs/ran our Poly Basketball team.

Rootes

I'm 100% sure the psycological side of it is the main thing thats holding me back with my riding now, if I get confident (like I did in france) I ride so much better but cant seem to maintain a consistant state of self belief, even with stuff I've got nailed in the past. Maybe I should give this mental stuff a try. Where do I start?

Shrinks are a completely different kettle of cheesy chips Harry.

In answer to your question buddy....there are a lot of professional sports psychologists dotted all over the place, whereabouts are you based?  I've got a list of professional practices around here somewhere.

Rootes