OUR PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
Professional Standards & Scope of Services
Mental Training Plan provides educational mental performance training designed to help individuals and organizations develop practical skills for performing under pressure.
We believe in clearly communicating what our programs teach, the qualifications behind our work, and when individuals may need support from other professionals.
OUR SCOPE OF SERVICES
What We Do. What We Don't Do.
Mental Training Plan provides educational, skills-based mental performance training. Our programs help individuals and organizations develop practical tools they can learn, practice, and apply in high-pressure situations.
WHAT WE DO
We teach mental performance skills such as confidence, focus, self-talk, body control, motivation & mindset, preparation, routines, and responding intentionally under pressure.
Our services include individual coaching, team training, educational curriculum, business training, workshops, and professional certification in the MTP methodology.
We use structured lessons, guided exercises, practical tools, and opportunities to apply these skills in real performance environments. Our goal is to help people learn how to control their mind and body so they can perform at their best when it matters most.
WHAT WE DON'T DO
Mental Training Plan does not provide psychotherapy, mental health counseling, psychological diagnosis, or clinical mental health treatment. Our educational programs are not a substitute for services provided by licensed mental health professionals.
We do not use coaching or training sessions to diagnose mental health conditions or provide clinical treatment for personal or psychological concerns.
When someone's needs fall outside our educational scope, we encourage appropriate professional care and can help identify referral resources.
SKILL & KNOWLEDGE ASSESSMENT
Mental Training Plan uses educational assessments and skill evaluations to help individuals and organizations understand their current mental performance skills, identify areas for development, establish training objectives, and evaluate learning.
Think of it like watching game film for the mental side of performance. We're trying to understand what's happening so we can determine what skills need to be developed.
These tools may examine areas such as confidence, focus, body control, motivation, and mindset. They are designed to guide educational training and skill development.
MTP assessments are not medical evaluations, psychological diagnostic assessments, or clinical screening tools. They do not diagnose mental health conditions, determine whether someone has a psychological disorder, or replace evaluations by licensed healthcare professionals.
This helps us better understand if an athlete is not feeling confident because they can't quit thinking about the score or the outcome, if they are worried about what others might think, or if their hands are so shaky they can't perform at their best.
ATHLETE SAFETY, PRIVACY & REFERRALS
Knowing When Additional Support Is Needed.
Mental Training Plan is committed to maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and recognizing when an individual may need support beyond educational mental performance training.
WHEN CONCERNS FALL OUTSIDE OUR SCOPE
If someone shares concerns that require mental health evaluation, counseling, or treatment, we do not attempt to provide those services. We encourage the individual or family to seek support from an appropriately licensed professional. When helpful, we can assist with identifying referral resources.
WORKING WITH YOUNGER ATHLETES
For middle school and high school athletes receiving individual coaching, we include at least one parent or guardian in a group text conversation. A parent or guardian also joins part of the initial consultation to review training objectives. Subsequent coaching sessions are conducted directly with the athlete.
We respect the athlete's privacy while recognizing that safety concerns, applicable laws, and the involvement of parents or guardians may require information to be shared.
PRIVACY & COMMUNICATION
We respect the privacy of individuals participating in our programs and handle information shared during coaching and training with care. Mental performance coaching is not psychotherapy, and coaching conversations should not be assumed to have the same legal confidentiality protections as clinical treatment.
We do not promise absolute confidentiality. Information may need to be shared when required by law or necessary to address a serious safety concern.
SAFETY CONCERNS & EMERGENCIES
If we become aware of a concern involving someone's immediate safety, we prioritize appropriate emergency or professional assistance rather than attempting to manage a crisis through performance coaching. For an immediate emergency or danger, call 911. For a suicidal crisis or significant emotional distress in the United States, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Concerns involving suspected child abuse or neglect are addressed in accordance with applicable reporting laws.
To report suspected child abuse or neglect in Indiana, contact the Indiana Department of Child Services at 1-800-800-5556.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Education, Coaching, and Curriculum Expertise.
Mental Training Plan combines experience in education, coaching, curriculum development, and practical mental performance training.
BEN CARNES | FOUNDER
Ben holds a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education and a master's degree in Education with an emphasis in Coaching. His background includes classroom teaching, football coaching, and more than a decade of mental performance training with athletes and performers across a wide range of competitive environments. Ben leads MTP's training methodology, program development, and educational work with athletes, teams, schools, and businesses.
DR. CARMEN CARNES | CURRICULUM DESIGN & ASSESSMENT
Carmen holds a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, a master's degree in Educational Administration, and a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership. Her professional background includes educational leadership, curriculum development, and skill/knowledge assessment. She contributes to the design, organization, and evaluation of MTP's educational programs.
OUR PROFESSIONAL ROLE
These backgrounds support MTP's work in education and performance training. Educational degrees and MTP-specific training do not constitute licensure to practice psychology, counseling, or psychotherapy. Mental Training Plan's services are delivered within the educational scope described on this page.
MTP CERTIFICATION STANDARDS
What MTP Certification Means.
Mental Training Plan offers professional certification in the MTP educational methodology. Certification prepares individuals to teach practical mental performance skills using MTP's established frameworks, tools, and training resources.
WHAT CERTIFICATION PROVIDES
MTP Certified professionals complete a full-day, in-person training covering the MTP methodology, including the Focus Cycle, Prime Five, and practical mental performance tools.
Active certification allows individuals to teach approved MTP educational content, use authorized curriculum and training resources, and incorporate the methodology into their coaching, teaching, or independent business.
Use of MTP materials, branding, and certification credentials is governed by the certification agreement and requires active certification.
WHAT CERTIFICATION DOES NOT AUTHORIZE
MTP Certification is an educational training credential. It is not a college degree, state-issued professional license, or qualification to practice psychology, counseling, psychotherapy, or another regulated healthcare profession.
Certification does not authorize individuals to diagnose mental health conditions, conduct clinical psychological evaluations, provide psychotherapy, or offer mental health treatment.
Certified professionals are responsible for operating within their own qualifications, applicable laws, and the educational scope of the MTP methodology.
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
MTP Certified professionals are expected to recognize when someone's needs fall outside educational mental performance training.
When concerns require clinical evaluation or treatment, certified professionals should direct individuals toward appropriately licensed providers. Safety concerns and suspected abuse or neglect must be handled in accordance with applicable laws and reporting requirements.
MTP Certification does not replace any education, license, or other credential legally required for a professional's independent services.
OUR COMMITMENT
Clear Expectations. Responsible Training.
Mental Training Plan is committed to providing practical, educational mental performance training grounded in established principles of learning, skill development, and performance.
We work to provide clear training objectives, appropriate educational resources, and opportunities for participants to learn, practice, and apply mental performance skills.
Performance development takes time, practice, and individual effort. While our programs are designed to support skill development, we do not guarantee specific improvements, competitive results, or performance outcomes.
Our Individual Coaching first-month satisfaction guarantee relates to the coaching experience and refund eligibility. It is not a guarantee of athletic or performance results.
We believe in being transparent about our qualifications, maintaining appropriate professional boundaries, and helping individuals access other qualified professionals when their needs fall outside our scope.
QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR SERVICES?
We're happy to discuss our educational approach, professional qualifications, program boundaries, or what to expect when working with Mental Training Plan.
Contact Mental Training Plan at the bottom of this page or email Ben directly at: