Ashley Zapata is a sport psychology consultant specializing in sport and performance psychology. She emphasizes the importance of motivation, encouragement, and energy in her work with athletes to optimize performance, whether that be in sport or in daily life. Whether preparing for an individual or team event or dealing with anxiety and stress in daily life, Dr. Zapata’s “Motivate. Encourage. Energize.” mantra serves as a basis of her therapeutic style.  This mantra requires that athletes and performers reflect on their past experiences in order to create a plan, visualize an outcome, and ultimately perform in the present moment with mindful awareness.

Dr. Zapata was born in Panama City, Panama and credits her Afro-Caribbean roots as the foundation for her values and worldview. She grew up in Newport News, Virginia having learned the art of adapting and flexibility early as a military dependent. Throughout her lived experiences she has identified strengths related to resiliency, resourcefulness, and sheer will and motivation.

As a first-generation college student Dr. Zapata earned a BA from Marymount University, her first graduate degree from the George Washington University, and continued to earn a MA and Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) at Alliant International University in San Diego, CA. She has provided mental health and sport performance services to Division I collegiate athletes, elite and professional athletes, and has curated training programs for teams, coaches, and affinity groups such as injured athletes, LGBTQIA+ and athletes of color.