Gonzalo Osorio Ruchichi
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Client Focus: Adults, Teens (18+), Teams, Athletes
Modalities: Sport Psychology, CBT, Short-term Psychodynamic Therapy, Humanistic Therapy, Mindfulness, Self-compassion
Common Concerns: Mental Performance, Anxiety and Stress, Burnout, Leadership Development, Confidence, Attachment Trauma, Depression, Life Transitions, Immigration, Identity and Self-Development, Psychological Assessment
Areas of Practice: Mental Performance, Addiction, Mood Disorders, ADHD Assessment
Who are you and what led you to this work?
I’m Gonzalo, a registered Psychological Associate with over eight years of clinical experience. I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative impact therapy can have on mental health and performance. Early in my career, I focused on supporting individuals navigating depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and substance use challenges. Over time, I recognized that high performers—athletes, executives, and entrepreneurs—face unique pressures that require not only clinical insight but also strategies for resilience, focus, and peak performance. This inspired me to combine my clinical expertise with mental performance coaching, helping clients harness their psychological strengths to thrive under pressure.
What is your approach to therapy or mental performance coaching?
My approach is collaborative and individualized. I draw from humanistic, psychoanalytic, and cognitive-behavioural therapies to tailor interventions to your unique goals. For athletes, I integrate mental performance techniques such as emotion regulation, stress management, and focus training alongside traditional therapeutic approaches. I aim to empower clients to recognize their inner strengths, manage setbacks effectively, and cultivate sustainable mental resilience both on and off the field.
What areas do you specialize in?
Performance anxiety and focus under pressure
Building mental resilience and emotional regulation skills
Overcoming setbacks, injuries, or performance slumps
Enhancing confidence, motivation, and self-awareness
Supporting high performers in sports, leadership, and high-stakes environments
What types of clients do you typically work with?
I work with athletes, executives, entrepreneurs, and high performers seeking to optimize both mental health and performance, as well as clients navigating clinical challenges such as depression, anxiety, or substance use. I am also fluent in Spanish and provide culturally sensitive support for newcomers to Canada.
How do you help clients overcome mental roadblocks and perform at their best?
I guide clients in developing self-awareness, emotional regulation, and resilience strategies. For athletes, this can include techniques to manage frustration during competition, maintain focus under pressure, and recover quickly from mistakes. I also use practical strategies to enhance motivation, clarity, and confidence so that clients can perform at their best while sustaining long-term well-being.
What evidence-based methods or strategies do you use?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Humanistic and psychoanalytic approaches
Trauma-informed techniques and stress management strategies
Mental performance coaching techniques tailored to sport and high-stakes environments
What can a client expect in their first session with you?
In the first session, we’ll explore your goals, challenges, and current mental landscape. I create a collaborative, non-judgmental space where you can share your experiences openly. Together, we’ll identify strategies to optimize mental performance, manage pressure, and navigate obstacles effectively—whether in sport, work, or daily life.
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about therapy or mental performance coaching?
Therapy and mental performance coaching aren’t only for when things go wrong. They are tools for proactive growth, resilience, and maximizing your potential—whether you’re an athlete aiming to improve focus, an executive managing stress, or anyone striving to perform at their best.
What makes your work at The Mental Game unique?
I combine clinical expertise with sport and performance psychology to help clients achieve mental clarity, focus, and resilience. By understanding both the psychological and situational pressures clients face, I provide tailored strategies that support peak performance while maintaining mental well-being. Whether it’s recovering from a setback, managing anxiety, or optimizing focus, my work helps clients move forward with confidence and purpose.
Performance Interests:
I’ve played tennis since childhood—my dad is a tennis coach—and competed competitively as a teenager. I also enjoy soccer recreationally with my local team and love playing basketball. My personal experiences with sport inform my coaching, allowing me to connect deeply with athletes and high performers on the psychological and emotional aspects of their craft.
