Kim Foster Yardley

Registered Clinical Psychologist | Certified Mental Performance Consultant

Client Focus: Adults, Teens (16+), Couples, Teams, Athletes

Modalities: Sport Psychology, CBT, DBT, Short-term Psychodynamic Therapy, Mindfulness, Self-compassion, EMDR, Group Analytic Therapy

Common Concerns: Mental Performance, Anxiety and Stress/burn-out, Confidence, Attachment Trauma, Depression, Identity and Self-development

Areas of Practice: Mental Performance, Supervision

What’s one thing you wish more people knew about therapy or mental performance coaching?
Most of my clients are already at the top of their game. But they know that if they make a few mental shifts, they’ll be well on their way to greatness. High performers often assume they should “push through,” but self-doubt, stress, and low confidence can creep in—even when everything looks successful on the outside. Therapy and mental performance coaching aren’t about weakness; they’re about sharpening your mental edge, so you can lead better, recover faster, and perform with confidence when it matters most.

Who are you and what led you to this work?
I am a registered clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience in both clinical and sport/performance psychology. I work almost exclusively with high-performing Founders, Executives, Teams, and Pro Athletes around the world. My mission is to help people get out of their heads and into the zone—identifying how the mind sabotages performance and shifting those patterns into strengths.

I first registered as a clinical psychologist in South Africa in 2004, before moving to Toronto, where I’m now licensed with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. With the power of online work, I support clients globally. My academic training includes a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Stellenbosch University and a Graduate Certificate in Sport Psychology from John F. Kennedy School of Psychology at National University. I’m also a professional member of the Canadian Sport Psychology Association.

What is your approach to therapy or mental performance coaching?
My approach combines clinical depth with performance psychology. Together, we’ll uncover how your thoughts and emotions are holding you back, and I’ll teach you how to take charge of your mental state. You’ll learn strategies to regulate emotions, recover quickly from setbacks, and shift from self-doubt to confidence under pressure. For leaders and executives, I focus on building clarity, adaptability, and decision-making presence. For teams, I emphasize stress management, conflict navigation, and cohesion to achieve sustainable success.

What areas do you focus on?
• Stress, burnout, and performance anxiety
• Confidence and self-doubt
• Motivation, focus, and decision-making
• Leadership under pressure
• Team dynamics, conflict resolution, and cohesion
• Recovery from setbacks
• Mental resilience and adaptability

What types of clients do you typically work with?
I work with high-performing individuals and groups—Founders, Executives, Teams, and Pro Athletes—who want to level up their performance. Many of my clients are already successful but want to refine their mindset, manage stress, and develop the resilience and clarity needed to thrive in high-stakes environments.

How do you help clients overcome mental roadblocks and perform at their best?
I help clients identify mental and emotional patterns that sabotage their performance and replace them with strategies for focus and resilience. Whether it’s teaching a leader how to maintain clarity under pressure, guiding an athlete to recover faster from setbacks, or helping a team manage stress and stay cohesive, my focus is on sustainable, high-level performance. Clients often leave with sharper focus, stronger confidence, and the ability to handle challenges with composure.

What evidence-based methods or strategies do you use?
I integrate approaches from clinical psychology and performance psychology, tailoring them to each client’s needs. These include emotion regulation strategies, mindfulness-based techniques, cognitive-behavioral interventions, and tools drawn from sport psychology. My approach is practical, goal-focused, and designed to create lasting change.

What can a client expect in their first session with you?
In our first session, you can expect a direct but collaborative conversation. We’ll explore what’s working, what’s not, and the specific roadblocks you’re facing. My priority is to understand your goals—whether they’re related to leadership, performance, or personal growth—and to begin mapping out the shifts that will get you there. The session is designed to be supportive, strategic, and immediately useful.

What makes your work at The Mental Game unique?
What makes my work unique is how I combine clinical expertise with performance psychology to support high performers in achieving sustainable success. I don’t offer surface-level fixes. Instead, I help clients get to the root of their mental roadblocks, equipping them with tools to manage stress, sharpen focus, and lead with confidence. At The Mental Game Clinic, my role is to create a space where leaders, athletes, and teams can unlock their full potential—both in their careers and their personal lives.

Performance Interests
Outside of my professional work, I compete in amateur Taekwondo and enjoy tennis, badminton, boxing, tai chi, and yoga. I was an avid runner until injuries got in the way, but movement and performance remain a big part of my life. My other career is as a visual artist, and I’m also passionate about poetry, with dreams of publishing an anthology someday. These pursuits reflect my belief in creativity, discipline, and resilience—values I bring into my work with clients.