Caitlin Kirk
Education
- Doctoral student, Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, West Virginia University
- Master's student, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, West Virginia University
- B.A., Psychology, University of Portland
Experience
- Previous individual and group work experience supporting adolescents in clinical and sport environments
- Former collegiate track and field athlete
Interests
- Enhancing performance through evidence-based mental skills training
- Supporting individuals in building holistic wellbeing in ways that promote sustainable performance
- Mindfulness-based interventions in sport and performance
- Physical activity promotion and wellbeing
- Hiking, being in nature, and reading
Goals
- To work as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor and/or Sport/Performance Psychology Consultant in collegiate or professional settings.
Biography
Cait is a doctoral student and an Arlen G. & Louise Stone Swiger Fellow in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology at West Virginia University, where she is also pursuing a master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She earned her bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Spanish at the University of Portland. Cait’s commitment to supporting athletes and performers in enhancing performance and holistic wellbeing stem from her own experiences as a collegiate track and field athlete. Prior to coming to WVU, Cait spent three years supporting adolescents in a residential setting, an experience that deepened her understanding of how people grow, adapt, and navigate challenges. That work continues to shape her holistic, mindfulness-informed approach to performance, emphasizing presence, flexibility, and compassion in high-pressure moments. Cait has also coached high school track and field, providing further insight into athlete development and the demands young performers face. Her research interests include mindfulness interventions, physical activity and wellbeing, and the ways athletic environments can better support student-athlete wellbeing. In her free time, Cait enjoys hiking, reading, traveling, and spending time with her two cats.