Steven Smith

Dr. Steven Smith of the Department of Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology

Dr. Steven Smith, Associate Professor in the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education at UC Santa Barbara, will present the free workshop “Choking, Clutching, and Cracking: The Psychology of Peak Performance” on Thursday, October 24 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm in Room 1217 of UCSB’s Education Building.

Why do some performers crack under pressure and others “play clutch” and remain unfazed? This workshop will introduce participants to the psychology of performance failure and enhancement. Dr. Smith will address issues of emotional arousal, mindfulness, anxiety, and attention as they relate to enhancing peak performance. The workshop will be of interest to mental health professionals, coaches, athletes, actors, singers, managers, and business people who need to cope with stress while still performing their best.

Dr. Steve Smith is a licensed psychologist and associate professor of clinical psychology in the Department of Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology at UCSB. He received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Arkansas in 2001 and completed a predoctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship in psychotherapy and neuropsychology from Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). He was a staff neuropsychologist at MGH until 2004 at which time he joined the faculty of UCSB. His research interests have included therapeutic assessment, neuropsychological assessment, and diversity issues in personality assessment. He turned his attention to the mental health needs of athletes in 2008 and served as the consulting psychologist to UCSB’s Division I Department of Intercollegiate Athletics in 2011-2012. He maintains a private practice in Santa Barbara where he works with athletes and those seeking healthier lifestyles.

For information on location and registration see education.ucsb.edu/hosford or call 893-8064. There is a small fee for CEs for psychologists, MFTs, and LCSWs. (Note, this workshop was originally scheduled for an earlier date – this is the new, correct information.)