Clinical, Sport & Performance Psychology
Thriving is not just for a select few.
Our Services
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Clinical Psychology
Clinical psychology is designed to prevent and relieve psychologically-based distress or dysfunction and to promote subjective well-being and personal development. At Pinnacle, we utilize different evidence-based treatment approaches, while drawing on different theoretical methods to develop the best treatment plan for each individual client.
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Sports & Performance Psychology
Sports and performance psychology addresses optimal performance and well-being of athletes, executives, entrepreneurs, artists, musicians, etc. It also integrates developmental and social aspects of sports participation, and systemic issues associated with sports and performance settings and organizational culture across these domains. It is skills based and may include counseling and clinical interventions.
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Mental Performance Coaching
Mental performance coaching helps performers develop and strengthen their mental, self-regulatory, and life skills to optimize performance, enjoyment, and personal development. The practice is not utilized for the purpose of identifying or treating mental illness or other mental health disorders. If a mental health disorder or illness becomes apparent, the client will immediately be informed and advised to seek assistance from a provider with subject matter expertise.
Meet the Pinnacle Performance Providers
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Founder
Dr. Michael Gervais founded Pinnacle Performance Center in 1998. He is widely known as one of the world’s top high-performance psychologists. As a licensed psychologist and industry visionary, Dr. Gervais focuses most of his time on people at the "top of their game," from the NFL's Seattle Seahawks and NBA players, to Olympians, military personnel and corporate leaders. Spending years in the trenches of high-stakes circumstances, Dr. Gervais has developed clarity for the tools that allow people to "thrive under pressure." He is a published, peer-reviewed author and a nationally recognized speaker on issues related to high performance for those who excel on the largest stages in the world.
Dr. Gervais is a licensed clinical psychologist (California) with a specialization in sport and performance. He earned his Ph.D. from San Diego University, Integrative studies under the mentorship of Dr. Bruce Ogilvie, widely recognized as the father of applied sport psychology. Dr. Gervais’s approach is grounded in cognitive behavioral training and mindfulness. He currently splits his work between seeing clients on a concierge basis and supervising post-doctoral fellows.
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Post-doctoral Fellow
Dr. Nicole Davis, is a retired 2x Olympian and medalist, and post-doctoral fellow, working under the supervision of Dr. Gervais. Dr. Nicole brings the unique experience of having been on the applied side of sports psychology while competing on the world’s biggest stage in sport and now having a deep understanding of the science of human thriving and performance.
Dr. Nicole splits her time between clinical and sports psychology. She sees clients in a clinical setting, guiding the process of self-discovery and behavioral change to strengthen mental health. In a performance setting, she works with individuals to increase their capacity to thrive under pressure while getting to the edges of their potential. Dr. Nicole works with both adults and adolescents, Olympic and professional athletes and hopefuls, collegiate athletes and teams, as well as individuals in other high performance settings (e.g., the performance arts, Fortune 500 executives, etc.). She is passionate about helping others navigate change and transition, while helping to find joy in the pursuit of what’s possible.
Dr. Nicole has an undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California, where she is an adjunct professor in the Marshall School of Business*. She earned her doctoral degree from the California School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Nicole utilizes a third wave cognitive behavioral approach to inform her interventional strategies, to meet the unique needs of each of her clients. She has had a breadth and depth of training to be able to focus her clinical work to provide treatment in areas of anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, ADHD and emotion dysregulation. Her research interests include mindfulness meditation, reducing implicit bias, protective and resilience factors for stress and adversity.
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Mental Performance Coach
Our Mission
At the very core of Pinnacle's purpose lies our unwavering commitment to guiding and empowering individuals on a profound journey towards self-discovery and unlocking their inherent, untapped potential.
The Importance of Psychology
Psychology helps us understand ourselves better and gives us the power to improve our lives. It allows us to uncover the patterns and beliefs that influence our behavior. With this knowledge, we can challenge and change the stories we tell ourselves. We can overcome self-doubt, anxiety, and behaviors that hold us back. This clarity opens the door to personal growth, emotional intelligence, and healthier mindsets.
Give yourself the potential to thrive.
Psychology teaches us how to manage stress, build meaningful relationships, and be kinder to ourselves. Through therapy, reflection, and evidence-based techniques, we can confront our internal struggles and become stronger and wiser. We encourage you to embark on a journey of self-improvement, knowing that you have the potential to thrive.
Get in touch to book a session with Pinnacle Performance.
We serve clients in the Los Angeles area as well as over telehealth.