About Us
Welcome to Achieve Performance Psychology
Our aim is to significantly improve your quality of life. You are the expert in YOU and we use science and our specialized training expertise as sport and performance psychologists to work with you as a team to create optimal performance.
Meet Our Team
Dr. Alexandra (Allie) Wagener
Clinical and Sport Psychologist
Allie Wagener, Ph.D. is a Licensed Psychologist and Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) who provides clinical services with a specialization in sport and performance psychology. She has worked in the field for over 15 years, training top performers to consistently reach their optimal potential. She works with children/youth, collegiate, Olympic and Professional athletes. Consistent confidence, a growth mindset, and an ability to practice failure in the pursuit of excellence are valued, science-based techniques and topic areas that Dr. Wagener teaches throughout her work. She believes in teaching life skills through the lens of sport. Being a sport psychologist is a privilege and she welcomes the opportunity to work with kids to adults with a wide range of areas to build on. She often speaks at the National level on a wide range of performance-enhancement topics.
Dr. Wagener was a four sport athlete (soccer, tennis, gymnastics, track) in high school and played collegiate soccer at the University of Tampa. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Tampa and her Master’s and Doctorate from Wichita State University. She went on to work at the University of Oklahoma and University of Minnesota’s Athletic Departments and as well as the OU Children’s hospital. She has spent the last twelve years working with a wide range of athletes, coaches, parents, performers and business professionals to create meaningful change and progress.
Publications
Zettle, R. D., Webster, B. K., Gird, S. R., Wagener, A. L., & Burdsal, C. A. (2013). Factor structure of the automatic thoughts questionnaire in a clinical sample. International Journal of Cognitive Therapy, 6(3), 280-291.
Stasio, M.J., Curry, K., Wagener, A. L., & Glassman, D.M. (2012). Revving up and staying up: Energy drink use associated with anxiety and sleep quality in a college sample. College Student Journal, 45.
Wagener, A. L. & Zettle, R.D. (2011). Targeting fear of spiders with control-, acceptance, and informational-based approaches: An analogue comparison. The Psychological Record, 61, 77-92.
Snyder, J., Bullard, L., Wagener, A. L., Leong, P., Snyder, J., Jenkins, M., & Brown, C. (2009). Childhood anxiety and depressive symptoms: Trajectories, relationship, and association with subsequent depression. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology.
Dr. Kathleen (Katie) Peterson
Psychologist
Katie Peterson, PsyD provides clinical services for a wide range of individuals. She has worked in the field for over 6 years, helping youth and adults grow and accomplish their goals. Katie uses evidenced-based approaches in her work to increase confidence, improve self-esteem, adjust to injury, and support the athlete as a whole.
Katie was a three sport athlete in high school (soccer, hockey, lacrosse) and played collegiate hockey at the University of Minnesota, winning two National Championships. Katie obtained her bachelors degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota and her masters degree in counseling from the University of Minnesota. She completed her doctorate degree at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. She completed a fellowship in health psychology with an emphasis in rehabilitation psychology from Hennepin Healthcare at Hennepin County Medical Center.
Adelae Marinack
Content Development Intern
Adelae Marinack is a student-athlete at UNC Wilmington. She is pursuing a degree in Psychology with a double minor in Whole Health and Wellness studies and neuroscience. Along with her studies, she plays beach volleyball for the University. Within the field of psychology, she is interested in how athletes can utilize their mental health as a way to support performance. She is most excited to help share the stories and testimonies of athletes to lessen the stigma surrounding mental health within sports. Adelae plans to pursue her doctorate after graduation.
Jessica Melnick
Content Development Intern
Jess Melnick joins the Achieve team as our content development intern. She is in her first year of obtaining her Master's, studying Sport and Exercise Psychology at Northern Illinois University. With a background in competitive swimming and dance, and now as a distance runner, she bring relatability as an ongoing athlete training for races, along with the encouragement of a genuinely energetic presence. She obtained her Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from Western Michigan University, and also completed a two year internship as a strength and conditioning coach with a local gym. Her scientific background, combined with coaching experience, has helped her develop the skills to support the needs of athletes, and she is eager to continue her professional growth as part of the Achieve team, with the goal of making a lasting impact on the lives of athletes.
Rylie Bjerklie is currently a student at the University of St. Thomas studying clinical counseling while gaining hours towards her CMPC. Rylie played 5 years of college volleyball at Bemidji State University where she also studied Psychology and Public Health. Helping athletes learn more about how to utilize mental skills to improve performance and enjoy their sport is what draws her into the field. My goal is to normalize using sports psychology skills for athletes of all ages through the use of social media!
Rylie Bjerklie
Content Development Intern
Take The First Step
See how Achieve Performance Psychology can help you cross the goal line. Contact us to schedule a free assessment.