Licensed sports psychologists, Zagreb
Mental preparation is the foundation of everything an athlete does: in training, in daily life, and under the pressure that comes with both.
In the introductory call, we answer the questions that are too long for email.
Founder and sport psychologist
“Mental preparation demands the same precision as physical preparation.”
As the founder of a Mentalni Trening and a sports psychologist, I have worked with hundreds of athletes over the last 15+ years, ranging from youth prospects to professionals and national team athletes. This work has shaped the approach we use with athletes today. Our methodology is individualized, structured, and built on continuous growth rather than a one-time intervention.
15+
years of experience
1000+
athletes worked with us
40+
sports
5
continents
Select a program tailored to your profile and goals.
"I believe that every player who wants to build a great career should invest and work on their mental preparation, especially young players like myself. Of course, experience comes with age, but in today’s football, where everything moves so fast, any extra edge means a few percent boost to your overall performance—which is often the deciding factor."
"In life, as well as in sports, working on yourself plays an important role. That is why I find mental preparation valuable in certain key situations. I would recommend Mentalni Trening - not to everyone, but to those who truly want to work on themselves and become better."
"To step onto the field and face an opponent, our minds must be ready for battle first. Physical training is essential, but perhaps even more important is the less visible kind - mental training. I have seen firsthand that victory doesn’t just go to those who are stronger, faster, or have more endurance, but to those who are mentally prepared and keep moving forward regardless of the circumstances. Mentalni Trening guides us in the right way, reminding us to believe and to push through even when things aren't going the way we want."
"I believe that every professional athlete should apply mental training - the sooner, the better. Sports have become a business where only the best survive, so athletes often need help putting all the pieces together in their heads, helping them bring out the best in themselves during both the tough times and the normal moments of their careers. I am very satisfied with my work and experience here because it gives me the opportunity to gather my thoughts, separate the important from the irrelevant, and ultimately perform at my absolute maximum."
Mentalni Trening programs are tailored to different profiles, from youth athletes to professionals and sports experts. Take our short quiz to find out which program is the ideal fit for you.
Practical resources on specific situations: talking with your child after a loss, regaining focus after injury, managing pre-competition anxiety.
What it looks like to collaborate with us
In our first conversation, we work together to analyze your needs and set clear goals. This is the main starting point for designing a personalized plan that will suit you and your schedule.
Based on the initial consultation, we design a plan tailored specifically to the athlete, the sport, and the current phase of the season. The plan is never generic, and we adapt the rhythm to fit your schedule.
We track your progress together, both during and between sessions. Change isn’t just measured in competition – it’s seen in how you respond to stress, handle defeat, and get back into the zone.
The most common questions we hear during an introductory calls. If your question isn’t listed here, feel free to reach out to us directly.
A sports psychologist is a psychologist with a special license to practice in sports – in Croatia, this license is regulated by the Croatian Psychological Chamber (HPK). They are not a trainer or a coach, but a licensed professional who applies psychological knowledge and methods to athletic performance. A sports psychologist can make psychological diagnoses, conduct psychological testing, and work on the deeper causes affecting performance, not just on techniques.
A sports psychologist is a regulated profession, and working in sports requires a degree in psychology along with a special license from the Croatian Psychological Chamber (HPK). “Mental coach” (mentalni trener) is not regulated by law – the title can be used by anyone who completes any of the available training courses, even without a background in psychology. Both can help the athlete, but the difference lies in the depth of work, diagnostic tools, and professional accountability. But – why is the company called ‘Mentalni Trening’ (Mental Training) then? 😉
No. That is the most common misconception. Most of our clients come to us because they want to take things to the next level. Just as elite athletes work with a strength and conditioning coach and a physiotherapist even when they are healthy, working with a sports psychologist is an investment in performance. Stage fright, drops in form, and choking under pressure are normal parts of sports. We work on them systematically, not reactively.
Mentalni Trening j.d.o.o. is a Croatian sports psychology company based in Zagreb, founded in 2014. Our team consists of licensed sports psychologists with a special license from the HPK. We work with professional and youth athletes, national team members, Olympic medalists, esports players, and teams – both individually and through club programs. To date, we have experience working with over 1,000 athletes of various backgrounds.
No. We work with recreational athletes, youth athletes just entering organized sports, amateurs preparing for competitions, all the way up to professionals and Olympic medalists. Techniques for focus, pressure management, and motivation work equally well at all levels. The only thing that matters is that you have a specific goal and the willingness to work systematically.
As long as it takes to reach your goals. We have athletes who came for a single session and resolved a specific challenge. We also have those who have been working with us for years. The actual duration isn’t set by a program – it’s determined by your goals and the pace of your progress.
The only thing we can say upfront is that the introductory call takes only 15 minutes (free, no obligations), and right after it, you will know exactly which mental preparation program is the right fit for you.
Anyone who is in sports and wants to work on their mental preparation. Athletes aged 10 and up, coaches, psychologists, club managers, and eSports players. We have worked with children just entering organized sports as well as elite athletes preparing for major competitions. We tailor every program to the person coming in, not the other way around.
Both. We hold in-person meetings at our office in Zagreb (Gorjanska 29, 4th floor). Online work is available throughout the region and beyond — we have experience with online work all over the world. We work in both Croatian and English. We arrange the method, pace, and timing of the work according to your availability.
