Based in Austin, Texas, Hillary Cauthen, Psy.D., is a clinical sport psychologist and certified mental performance consultant. She is currently director of performance services for Texas Optimal Performance and Psychological Services and serves as the performance psychologist for the San Antonio Spurs and the American professional soccer club, Austin FC, developing mental performance and wellness programs.
Dr. Cauthen has developed private businesses that bring mental wellness curriculum to school districts across the nation, as well as an analytics company that helps predict the behavioral risk factors in players for teams in the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and the Premier League.
An athlete since age 4 and Division I collegiate athlete, Dr. Cauthen draws from her personal experience in her focus on mental health and the mental performance dimensions of athletes and sport organizations. Today, the crux of her philosophy as a sport clinician—and as a mother—is to support a culture of care as a path to professional wellness.
Dr. Cauthen shared her experience and advice with new graduates of The Chicago School at the 2022 Southern California Commencement. The opportunity to give remarks was particularly meaningful because she was unable to attend her own graduation after earning her doctorate in clinical psychology. It was a moment she never envisioned on her path to impacting others.
To the graduates, she shared: “It is important to have goals, milestones, and celebrations of impact. It’s okay to own your passions and celebrate your growth. But I will let you in on a secret: No one is going to tell you that—no one is going to say ‘go celebrate your impact, your goals.’
“This industry is unique and not about us at all—we are ethically bound to be the keeper of secrets, the owner of others’ emotions, the guide to aid in healing and growth, but you matter, we matter as providers, as humans. Celebrate the impact you have along the way.”
Dr. Cauthen also recalled her first impressions of the Los Angeles Campus when she flew from Ohio to California in 2008: “After visiting downtown with a pep in my step of what my future could look like, I drove to Santa Monica to help with my decision-making process. I was about to move across the country with my big old dog to a new city and commit to five years of challenging, inspiring work—alone. This moment is etched in my memory bank. I walked to the trail overlooking the beach. The pier to my left and the open ocean in front of me, sun reflecting on my face. I took a big deep breath, and I knew in that moment this was the next step in my journey: I was on my way to becoming a clinical sport psychologist.”
Nine years later, as a commencement speaker, Dr. Cauthen was reminded why she chose to take a chance on herself by attending The Chicago School and encouraged graduates to do the same.
“You have all the tools to go make an impact,” she said in her remarks. “It didn’t come from the theories you read and the passing of your dissertations—the root of your success has been with you all along. When your head and heart align you will do great things! Be a learner, a game changer, a disruptor, a dreamer, and take a chance on yourself.”
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