ABOUT US.
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is the founder and CEO of Climbing Psychology. She is a certified sport psychologist (M.Sc.) and systemic coach living in Vorarlberg in the very West of Austria.
She has been climbing, learning and exploring for as long as she can remember. Throughout her youth, she travelled the world representing Austria at youth climbing competitions and later on in the one or other Bouldering World Cup. Nowadays, you still find her climbing in the gym or outdoors as often as possible. She has done lead climbs and boulders in the 8th grade outside (Font & French grades).
Madeleine has completed a Masters degree in psychology at the University of Innsbruck and is specialized in sport psychology. Due to her personal background in climbing, her main focus is on the psychology in climbing. She can’t think of a single sport whose inherent nature is mentally more challenging and fascinating on so many levels.
Madeleine is one of the founding members of the International Association of Psychologists in Climbing.
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is a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist (M.A.) specialized in climbing. She is currently doing her PhD, with a research focus on the psychological characteristics involved in sport climbing and bouldering (indoor/outdoor; competitional/non-competitional). If you contact Climbing Psychology to get not only mental support, but mental health support, you’ll be in contact with Maria.
Maria is also a passionate rock-climber herself and program developer and psychotherapist of Development through Climbing Project. She has climbed French 8b (5.13d) and is dedicated to supporting climbers and their family in gaining wings in this beautiful and sometimes challenging sport. She has over 6 years of experience in counselling psychology and psychotherapy in private practice, 4 years of experience in sport psychology, 3 years in Wilderness and Adventure Therapy collaborating with Experentia - Adventure Therapy, Spain, and Venture Mòr - Wilderness Therapy Programs Scotland, UK.
Maria values the human relationships, the mind, the imagination, and scientific knowledge, being interested in literature and culture in general. She believes that daily sustained effort accumulates and flourishes. In her free time, you can probably find her immersed in a book or, even better, among the rocks.
Maria is also one of the founding members of the International Association of Psychologists in Climbing.
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is a mental coach and sports psychologist i.e. living in beautiful climbing mekka Innsbruck, Austria. Having grown up in a mountainous region nearby, she feels an intrinsic connection to this landscape – mountains feel like home to her. She is all about outdoor sports, especially climbing, which gives her that exhilarating feeling of freedom. Carina loves pushing her own limits and finding that mental edge.
Being a member of the Climbing Psychology team allows Carina combine both her passion and her studies. What sets her apart are her fresh perspectives and novel ideas.
She believes that sports can do more than just entertain – they’re a way to unite people from all walks of life, regardless of their background and beliefs. With her background and dedication, she tries to shape up to be a force for positive change, one climb at a time.
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is a Sports and Exercise Psychologist based in Helsinki, Finland. She has worked with recreational and competitive climbers and specialised in stress management and commitment via deepening self-knowledge.
Kaisa discovered climbing when her son took her to the neighbouring bouldering gym - it was love at first sight! No other sport had felt so mentally and physically challenging and immensely rewarding. Having started climbing in her 40s, she trains fairly systematically but competes only with herself. Her ultimate goal is to climb still in the 70s!
Today's way of living and our ambitions often pushes us to neglect our basic needs of purpose, rest, physical activity, healthy eating and social connections. Kaisa wants to inspire people to respect these needs and recognise those as the basis of high performance - and fulfilling life. She is curious by nature and always interested to learn more, whether related to how our minds work or mobility training. Outside of working or climbing, you'll find her on football fields or biathlon stadiums supporting her sons or reading a good sci-fi book.
Our accreditations, certifications & memberships
BOARD OF ADVISORS.
To be able to provide the best support possible, we internally collaborate with several nationally and internationally acclaimed sport psychologists.
Madeleine and Maria are founding members of the International Association of Psychologists in Climbing.
INTERNSHIP
Do you study psychology (Bachelor or Master degree) and want to get an insight in the applied psychology in climbing? We regularly allocate internships to psychology students as part of their university degree. If you are interested, don’t hesitate to contact us!
WE ARE CLIMATE NEUTRAL.
We all have a responsibility for our world. We know that the climate cannot be saved by offsetting CO2 alone but while we’re constantly trying to reduce our carbon footprint – until all of this can be put into practice, offsetting CO2 is a crucial component in climate protection. Reduction and compensation have to go hand in hand. We compensate for the amount of CO2 that we emit and support certified projects to create the best possible impact.
