The Science Behind Real-World Impact

The Scientist-Practitioner Model

Treun Performance Consulting combines research-based insights with hands-on experience, driven by the scientist-practitioner model.

In an ever-evolving field, staying current with science is essential. Whether it’s sport and exercise psychology, military psychology, or organizational psychology, Treun seeks to integrate the latest research to inform strategies, ensuring applied methods are always informed by research.

This approach allows Treun to deliver top-tier mental performance consulting while contributing to the growth of the field through practitioner-led research. As we continue to refine our methods, we make it a priority to actively contribute to the scientific conversation, enhancing the knowledge base for both practitioners and clients.

Cassandra’s research expertise directly supports this mission, with published peer-reviewed articles in leading journals in the fields of sport psychology, coaching, and applied psychology. Below, you’ll find a selection of her work, along with easy-to-read lay summaries that break down key insights from the research. More to come!

Sport-Related Concussion

Lay Summary: This research explored the psychological and social aspects of sport-related concussions, aiming to identify ways to support athletes during recovery. The study involved three phases: first, elite athletes shared their experiences with concussion recovery, focusing on challenges, support needs, and recovery barriers. In the second phase, mental performance consultants (MPCs) discussed their work supporting concussed athletes and the challenges they face in providing psychosocial support. The final phase involved forming a community of practice for MPCs to collaboratively explore ways to improve concussion recovery support. The study identified key psychological needs (e.g., acceptance, confidence) and social needs (e.g., trust, support), and provided recommendations for MPCs to better assist athletes at different stages of their recovery. The findings emphasize the importance of mental and social support in concussion management and highlight opportunities for improving concussion protocols in elite sports.
Lay summary: This study focused on understanding the psychological and social needs of elite athletes during concussion recovery, an area often overlooked in current concussion protocols. The research involved interviews with both concussed athletes and mental performance consultants who work with them. Through thematic analysis, six key needs were identified: acceptance, normality, confidence, self-efficacy, trust in relationships, and social support. The findings highlight the importance of addressing these needs in concussion recovery efforts and encourage a broader, more holistic approach to managing concussions that includes psychological and social considerations.
Lay Summary: This study explored the psychological and emotional experiences of athletes recovering from sport-related concussions (SRCs), using a collaborative approach to give athletes a voice in the research process. Over two years, twelve elite athletes shared their experiences through interviews, focus groups, and ongoing reflections. The study highlighted the importance of considering not only the individual’s experience but also the broader sociocultural factors influencing recovery. Using Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, the research identified key factors such as athletic identity, trust in relationships, concussion protocols, sport culture, and timing in the recovery process. The findings emphasize the need for individualized, multidisciplinary interventions and suggest areas for future research and collaboration in SRC management.
Lay Summary: This article discusses the role of mental performance consultants (MPCs) in supporting the psychosocial recovery of athletes who have experienced concussions. Recognizing the challenges posed by rapidly advancing knowledge and limited resources, a group of MPCs formed a community of practice to better define their role in concussion management. The article aims to translate their knowledge and experiences into a clear and accessible approach, helping MPCs understand how to support concussed athletes through the different stages of their return-to-play process.
Lay Summary: This study aimed to address the lack of psychosocial interventions for concussed athletes by exploring the role of mental performance consultants (MPCs) in supporting concussion recovery. A group of eight MPCs from elite sports engaged in a four-month community of practice (CoP), where they shared experiences, discussed intervention strategies, and critically examined current concussion research. This collaborative approach fostered reflection and ongoing learning. The analysis of reflections and documents from the CoP showed positive value, such as clarifying MPCs’ roles in concussion support and identifying key boundaries in concussion care. The study highlights the importance of CoPs for advancing professional practice and provides a valuable resource for MPCs working with concussed athletes.
Lay Summary: This study explores the role of mental performance consultants (MPCs) in providing psychosocial support for elite athletes recovering from concussions. Concussions can affect athletes in emotional, social, and psychological ways, yet most recovery interventions focus on physical aspects. MPCs are well-positioned to address the overlooked psychological and social needs of athletes during recovery. Nine experienced MPCs participated in focus group interviews, sharing their experiences in supporting concussed athletes, the challenges they face, and what further professional development and resources could improve their practice. Through thematic analysis, the study identified effective support strategies and knowledge sources used by MPCs, as well as suggestions for future research and interventions to enhance concussion recovery. This research aims to deepen understanding of the critical role MPCs can play in concussion recovery and to improve support strategies for athletes.
Lay Summary: This chapter explores the potential value of psychological skills training (PST) in the rehabilitation of concussed athletes. While existing treatment plans focus on physical therapies, medications, and cognitive treatments, they often overlook psychological skills. To address this gap, the chapter introduces a six-week PST program designed to help athletes recover from concussions. Based on sport psychology literature and Zimmerman’s model of self-regulated learning, the program teaches athletes skills such as self-regulation, goal-setting, relaxation, and imagery. The chapter outlines how the program was developed, its key components, and practical strategies for implementation. It also offers recommendations for future research and practice in this area.

Mental Performance

Lay Summary: Mental performance consultants (MPCs) do more than teach mental skills—they help teams and organizations thrive by working within their unique cultures and systems. In high-pressure settings such as sport, the military, or corporate teams, this means knowing how to communicate with leaders, navigate structures, and embed strategies where they will have the most impact. This workshop introduces the Canadian military’s Operational Planning Process (OPP) as a practical tool for planning and advocacy, supported by real-world examples. Participants will leave with concrete strategies to integrate mental performance into complex environments and bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Lay Summary: This poster introduces Social Learning Theory (SLT) as a framework for understanding how learning is inherently social. The poster focuses on Communities of Practice (CoPs), which are designed around the learning needs of its members rather than a fixed curriculum or teaching approach. Three social learning spaces are discussed: (1) early career academics’ experiences navigating higher education challenges; (2) Safe Sport communities of practice used to bridge gaps between theory and practice; and (3) a community of practice for mental performance consultants (MPCs) seeking to develop advanced resources for concussed athletes.
Lay Summary: This research examines how communities of practice (CoPs) can support continuous learning and improve professional practices, specifically within the mental performance field, where formal CoPs are uncommon. The study involved a group of eight experienced mental performance consultants working with elite athletes, focusing on their role in supporting athletes with sport-related concussions. Through individual reflections and collaborative work, the researchers used a value creation framework to assess the benefits of participating in this CoP. The findings revealed positive outcomes, such as clarifying the consultants' role in concussion support and identifying key boundaries in concussion research and practice. This study offers valuable insights for professionals in various fields looking to create similar social learning spaces.
Lay Summary: This study looked at how Mental Performance Consultants (MPCs) use reflection to grow during their early career development. The researchers interviewed three MPCs who had taken part in a university program focused on combining theory and practice. Through interviews and analysis of their coursework, the authors created personal stories—called vignettes—that showed how reflection helped these consultants shape their professional identities. The findings reveal that while reflection is often seen as something professionals do throughout their careers, it also plays a critical role early on. It helps new consultants build confidence, develop a sense of who they are as professionals, and take ownership of their work. This research suggests that encouraging reflective practice early can be especially valuable in helping MPCs navigate their transition from student to practitioner.
Lay Summary: This study explored the experiences of students and graduates from a program training Mental Performance Consultants (MPCs). The researchers conducted interviews with current and former students, examining their personal and professional growth throughout the program. They also used a Rappaport timeline (RTL) to highlight key developmental experiences. The analysis revealed that reflection was a key theme, as students were encouraged to reflect on their experiences throughout the program. This ongoing reflection played a critical role in their self-growth, identity development, and autonomy. The study suggests that programs training sport psychology professionals should emphasize reflection as a key tool for fostering personal and professional development.
Lay Summary: This study explored the experiences of students and graduates from a Master’s in Human Kinetics (MHK) program as they became Mental Performance Consultants (MPCs). Eleven participants reflected on their journeys through the program in semi-structured interviews, discussing both past and ongoing experiences. Three of these participants also created timelines to illustrate key formative moments in their learning, including courses and internships. The study further analyzed documents the participants created as part of their training. The findings provide insights into the personal and professional development of MPCs and the value of their educational experiences. The authors also discuss the implications of these results for future MPC training.

Military

Lay Summary: Mental Performance Consultants (MPCs) help people improve their mental skills to perform better, especially in high-pressure environments like the military. But when MPCs enter a new and unfamiliar setting, like a specialized military unit, it can be hard to build trust and understand the unique challenges quickly. This was the case for a team working with a high-readiness branch of the Canadian military.
To overcome these challenges, the MPCs used a collaborative approach called "collaborative inquiry." This method involves working closely with the people they're helping—learning from each other, reflecting on progress, and adjusting goals together. By doing this, they were able to better understand the military environment, build stronger relationships, and develop mental training programs that were more relevant and useful.
This approach not only helped improve mental performance support but also introduced new and creative ways to deliver training in the military. The presentation will explore these experiences, showing how collaboration can lead to more effective and innovative support in tough environments.
As this was an internally published document, it is not open-sourced for public consumption. However, a public presentation of the content was presented at the Association for Applied Sport Psychology’s Annual Conference; a lay summary of that presentation’s abstract is below.
Military life often makes it hard for service members and veterans to get good sleep. Long hours, tough sleeping conditions, and the demands of the job can lead to both short-term and long-term sleep problems. To help with this, many sleep education and treatment programs have been created specifically for the military.
To better understand what’s already available, researchers reviewed 77 different studies that focused on improving sleep for military members and veterans. These included educational efforts, hands-on treatments, and policies. The goal was to identify what works, especially for elite military units like special operations forces.
The review found a wide range of programs and strategies, which were analyzed to identify useful patterns and lessons. This information is especially helpful for mental performance and sport psychology professionals who support military personnel. The presentation will share practical tools, key takeaways, and future ideas to help improve sleep in military settings, and explore how these professionals can play a bigger role in sleep support programs.

Sport Coaching

Lay Summary: This article explores the often-overlooked value of playing experience in shaping coaching careers, especially in high-performance sports. While it's well known that former athletes frequently move into coaching roles, there's little research on why and how this experience is seen as so beneficial. The authors aim to spark discussion about the deeper role of playing experience—especially how specific playing positions might influence coaching paths. They highlight a study of former ice hockey goaltenders who became head coaches, offering insights into how such experience affects career progression, hiring decisions, coach education, and access to opportunities. The article encourages researchers and practitioners to take a closer look at how different types of playing experience shape coaching development.
Lay Summary: This study reviewed global research from 2010 to 2019 to better understand how sport coach education programs (CEPs) are evaluated. Researchers analyzed 70 studies in five languages using a systematic process guided by the PRISMA-ScR checklist. They explored who the programs served, how they were designed, and the research methods used. The findings highlighted three main areas: what outcomes were achieved (like knowledge, skills, and athlete performance), how the learning process worked (including challenges and supports), and how programs were implemented (including delivery methods and areas for improvement). This review offers key insights to help improve coach education programs at all levels, supporting better training experiences for coaches worldwide.
Lay Summary: This study aimed to better understand sport coach education programs (CEPs) around the world by reviewing research published between 2010 and 2019 in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. Using a systematic method called a scoping review, researchers collected and analyzed over 3,400 records from eight databases, eventually narrowing them down to 109 relevant studies. These studies were reviewed for details about program design, delivery, participants, and outcomes. The team also examined related policies and official program descriptions. Key findings showed how CEPs are delivered globally, what outcomes they aim to achieve, and the challenges and successes involved in their implementation. The review revealed common themes in learning, delivery, and evaluation, and highlighted ways programs could be improved. This global overview provides valuable insights for improving coach education and supporting better coaching practices worldwide.