About Dr. Jaxson Judkins
Dr. Judkins is an active member of the Clinical & Counseling Sport Psychology Association (CCSPA) and serves on professional committees for the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). His academic research has examined the importance of grit in professional athletics, the working relationship between Division I head coaches and sport psychology consultants,
In 2024, Dr. Judkins earned his Ph.D. in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology and his master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from West Virginia University (WVU). He provided psychological counseling to college students and student-athletes, while also delivering performance psychology services to the WVU Law School and School of Nursing. He also served as a mental performance consultant for Waynesburg University Football, supporting athletes and coaches through workshops and one-on-one consulting.
Prior to WVU, Dr. Judkins completed a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Brigham Young University. Before beginning his career, he spent six years as a basketball instructor and camp commissioner at BYU. He also served as a practice player with the men’s and women’s basketball teams for four seasons, when the women’s program won two West Coast Conference tournament titles and made three NCAA tournament appearances, including a run to the Sweet Sixteen.
Outside of the office, Dr. Judkins enjoys staying active, balancing his time exploring the mountains and beaches of North Carolina and introducing his three children to the love of sport and competition. Whenever possible, he believes that time spent water skiing, horseback riding, and fishing with family is what keeps him grounded, swapping office chairs for saddles, skis, and the thrill of outsmarting (or being outsmarted by) a clever fish.
Dr. Judkins is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor-Associate (LCMHC-A), Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC), and National Certified Counselor (NCC) who helps clients increase their confidence, manage anxiety, and stay focused when it matters most. He has worked with high-level athletes at Pro5 Baseball Academy, MLS Next soccer programs, and golf programs that have committed to play at Division I NCAA programs. His down‑to‑earth, practical approach emphasizes working side by side with each client, regardless of age and skill level, as co-captains on their journey toward positive change.
At Carolina Strategies, Dr. Judkins works with athletes, performers, and teams across the Triangle, including NCFC Soccer Academy, Forge Fencing Academy & Club, and the Triangle Aquatic Center, helping individuals navigate anxiety, depression, stress, and relationships. He has designed and co-authored the Sport Psychology Academy, an evidence-based program focused on mental skills training and personal growth.