Laura Sudano, PhD
Mental Performance Coach & Licensed Therapist
Certified Mental Performance Consultant®
Certified Professional Coach
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
I competed as a Division I and II collegiate volleyball athlete, learning in real time what pressure, performance, and resilience actually feel like. And those challenges didn’t stop when my playing career ended. They continued as I pursued education, training, and worked toward a vision I knew could make a meaningful impact.
I went on to study psychology and human development, earning a BA in Psychology from St. Mary’s University (Texas), a Master’s in Marital and Family Therapy from the University of San Diego, and a PhD in Human Development from Virginia Tech. Along the way, I became a Certified Mental Performance Consultant® (CMPC) and a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist.
I found myself drawn to the space where performance and well-being overlap; where mindset, emotion, and identity shape how someone shows up when it matters most.
My work has taken me into collegiate and professional sport, where I’ve consulted with athletes, teams, coaches, and performance staff in high-performance environments. I’ve also worked within integrated sports medicine, collaborating closely with medical providers, athletic trainers, and coaching staffs.
What I’ve seen over and over again is this: talent alone isn’t enough. The people who sustain excellence are the ones who know how to manage pressure, regulate emotions, and stay grounded in who they are.
This isn’t about fixing you. It’s about building awareness of your internal system so that what you know becomes what you do, and reshaping the patterns that define what feels possible.
Now I bring that understanding to my clients.
I work with athletes and high-performing professionals on mental performance, mindset development, emotional regulation, and performing under pressure. The work is tailored, practical, and confidential, built around what you need.
Dr. Laura Sudano is a Certified Mental Performance Coach®, Certified Professional Coach, and Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. She lives in San Diego, California with her family.