"The pathways appear when the aim becomes clear" -Jason Ness, Ph.D.
Discover the transformative power of psychology - from child, adolescent, and adult care to elite athletic performance training.
Clinical Psychological Services
Compassionate support for individuals of all ages, empowering you to navigate life's challenges with clarity and resilience.
Ness Psychological Services is committed to providing high quality and timely psychological assessment designed to assess children, adolescents, or adults struggling with a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and/or learning challenges. We understand that problems can be complex, tough to fully understand, and work through alone.
Psychological assessment may be especially helpful to gain insight into your referral questions, provide specific treatment options, and offer professional diagnostic expertise in appropriate treatment planning and coordination of care.
Psychological assessment provides valuable information about an individual, and may be an important step in helping to get a better handle on the difficulties you are facing today.
Clinical assessments may provide useful information to assess an individual and to suggest specific and unique treatment recommendations in the following areas:
- Learning Disability
- ADHD
- Autism
- Intellectual Disability or Giftedness
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Mood Disorders
- Disruptive Behavior Disorders
- Personality
High Performance Psychology:
Challenge with Care
Develop the internal psychological skills that allow you to be fully present in the moments that matter most. Learn the necessary mental skills that guide athletes toward excellence with resilience, confidence, and self-efficacy.
Ness Psychological Services, nestled in Lake Zurich, Illinois, is your partner in enhancing life quality through individualized, evidence-based care. Our holistic approach to mental health and optimal performance is backed by extensive experience and a profound grasp of human nature and potential.
Meet Dr. Ness
Founder & President of Ness Psychological Services Dr. Ness at Ness Psychological Services As owner of Ness Psychological Services in Lake Zurich, Illinois, Dr. Ness provides direct clinical and evidence-based services to individuals and their families, crisis intervention, mental skills training for athletes, and professional development to various organizations and universities. Past collaborations include Harvard Graduate School of Education, Johns Hopkins University, Illinois Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development, and Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education. He recently presented at the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association and has worked with youth travel organizations and college teams on high performance psychology, leadership, and mental skills training.
About Jason Ness, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist + Certified School Psychologist
Psychological assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and adults.
High Performance Psychology + Mental Skills Training
Specializes in mental skills training and athlete assessments.
Former Principal & Coach
Previously served as a high school principal, director of special education, and assistant varsity football and sophomore baseball coach.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Skilled in CBT techniques for effective treatment of children, adolescents, and adults.
Courtroom Expertise
Experienced in providing psychological insights in legal matters.
As owner of Ness Psychological Services in Lake Zurich, Illinois, Dr. Ness provides direct clinical and evidence-based services to individuals and their families, crisis intervention, mental skills training for athletes, and professional development to various organizations and universities. Past collaborations include Harvard Graduate School of Education, Johns Hopkins University, Illinois Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development, and Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education. He recently presented at the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association and has worked with youth travel organizations and college teams on high performance psychology, leadership, and mental skills training.
Principal's Recognition Award (2017)
Nominated by the Illinois Directors of Student Activities
Illinois High School Principal of the Year Nominee (2016)
Illinois Principals Association.
William H. Ott Memorial Award (2008)
Received from the Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education.
Meet Dr. Ness, a Chicago native from Beverly turned Lake Zurich resident. When he's not coaching youth sports, you'll find him enjoying family time at Chicago Bears and White Sox games.
Therapeutic Approach
During therapy sessions, Dr. Ness will work collaboratively with you to solve current challenges and improve positive thinking, behavior, and outcomes. He will help you reframe your perceptions and reactions, developing a personal operating system that provides valuable tools and insights to cope with life's obstacles.
Dr. Ness utilizes an integrative therapy approach, which is a progressive form of psychotherapy that combines different therapeutic tools and techniques to fit the unique needs of each individual client. This holistic method can be used to treat individuals struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, work-related problems, and other emotional struggles that interfere with their potential.
Dr. Ness will partner with you to discover your stuck points, establish mutually determined goals, and empower you to experience the confidence and personal growth you are seeking. Get in touch to book an appointment and take the first step towards a more fulfilling life.
Direct Services
Child, Adolescent, and Adult Therapy
Psychological Testing & Assessment
High Performance Psychology and Mental Skills Training for Athletes
Research suggests athletes face higher risks of anxiety, depression, and burnout due to intense pressure and physical demands.
Strategies like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness can help manage these challenges.
Athlete Assessments DISC Profiling
Certified & Trained in the application of the Athlete DISC, Coach DISC, and Sports Manager DISC Profiles.
Leadership Consultation for K-12 Schools, Teams, and Organizations
Dr. Ness provides direct services to individuals and families, mental skills training for athletes, and professional development to various organizations and universities including collaborations with Harvard Graduate School of Education, Johns Hopkins University, Illinois Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development, and Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education.
Clinical + High Performance Psychology
High-performance psychology is the study and application of mental skills, strategies, and principles that enable individuals—often athletes, performers, or professionals—to consistently perform at their best under pressure. It focuses on optimizing mindset, resilience, focus, and emotional regulation to achieve peak performance in challenging or competitive environments. Think of it as the science of training your brain to handle stress, maintain motivation, and sharpen decision-making when the stakes are high. It’s often used in sports, business, or any field where exceptional results matter.
Carol Dweck’s growth mindset research shows athletes who see skills as malleable (not fixed) push harder and recover better from setbacks. A 2023 meta-analysis (Journal of Sports Sciences) found growth mindset interventions boost performance by ~8-12% in competitive settings.
Albert Bandura’s self-efficacy work ties in—athletes who believe they can execute under pressure (built through mastery experiences) consistently outperform. Think of it as confidence with evidence.
Neuroscience backs visualization: fMRI studies (e.g., 2021, Frontiers in Psychology) show mental rehearsal activates the same motor cortex areas as physical practice. Elite athletes like Michael Phelps used this to “pre-run” races.
The “quiet eye” phenomenon—sustained gaze on a target before action (e.g., a basketball free throw)—is huge. Research from 2022 (Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology) pegs it as a marker of clutch performance.
Polyvagal theory (Porges) is creeping into sports psych—athletes need to toggle between sympathetic “fight” states and parasympathetic “rest” states. Over-arousal tanks fine motor skills (e.g., a golfer’s putting).
A 2024 study (Psychology of Sport & Exercise) found HRV (heart rate variability) biofeedback cut pre-competition anxiety by 15% in NCAA athletes, boosting consistency.
Mental resilience training is a set of techniques and practices designed to strengthen your ability to bounce back from stress, setbacks, or adversity while maintaining focus and emotional balance. It’s like building a psychological muscle that helps you stay steady when life throws curveballs.
Typically, it involves strategies like reframing negative thoughts (e.g., seeing a failure as a learning opportunity), practicing mindfulness to stay present, developing coping skills for pressure, and fostering a growth mindset—believing you can adapt and improve. In high-performance contexts, such as sports or leadership, it might also include visualization (mentally rehearsing success) and stress inoculation (gradually exposing yourself to tough situations to desensitize anxiety). The goal? To wire your brain to handle challenges without crumbling, so you can keep performing at your peak even when the heat’s on.
Grit (Angela Duckworth) and psychological flexibility (from ACT—Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) are hot topics. A 2023 longitudinal study of Olympians showed grit predicted long-term success, but only when paired with adaptive coping strategies post-failure.
Stress inoculation is all about building your tolerance to pressure by gradually exposing yourself to it, much like a vaccine preps your immune system.
This research gives you a scaffold—athletes aren’t just bodies; they’re minds wrestling with pressure, doubt, and identity.
Elevate Your Athlete's Mindset
Unlock your full potential with an evidence-based framework to transform from "good to great." Blending the depth of cognitive behavioral therapy and the precision of coaching, this dynamic process will sharpen their mental edge, boost resilience, and unlock consistent high performance.
Check-In
Ground the session, assess their headspace, and set the tone.
Ask open-ended, sport-specific questions to get a quick read on their current state - whether they're feeling anxious, burned out, or motivated.
Goal Setting
Collaborate on a tangible, athlete-owned target for the session.
Use Motivational Interviewing to pick one key performance area, then align it with their deeper values - not just external wins.
Skill-Building
Teach and practice a high-performance tool tailored to their goal.
- Focus: Visualization techniques
- Emotional Regulation: Breathing exercises, cue words
- Mindset: Cognitive reframing
- Resilience: Failure debriefs
Application Plan
Bridge the session to their real-world performance.
Co-create a specific, measurable plan for applying the new tool - including triggers, self-checks, and accountability.
Wrap-Up & Reflection
Solidify the gains and build lasting momentum.
- Reinforce their effort and progress
- Use positive reinforcement and self-efficacy boosts
- Leave them feeling confident and clear on next steps
Recommended Books & Resources
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High Performance Resources
This document provides a comprehensive list of resources focused on high performance, personal development, and mental well-being. These books cover a wide range of topics including sports psychology, habit formation, emotional intelligence, resilience, and mindfulness.
Insurance Rates & Finances
Dr. Ness, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (Ph.D.), is a proud member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO network. Before scheduling, ensure your BCBS plan includes coverage for mental health services with Dr. Ness.
We understand that each client is unique. If you're out-of-network, we offer flexible financing options and personalized payment plans to meet your specific needs.
Curious about your responsibilities when I'm in-network? Let's chat about your deductible and other costs. If I'm out of network for insurance plans like CIGNA, Humana, Aetna, etc., your insurance might still offer partial coverage. Simply inquire about coverage for out-of-network providers.
Individual 45 or 60 minute Sessions
*Both in-person and telehealth options available
Contact & Location
Office Location: 755 Ela Road, Suite C, Lake Zurich, IL 60047 (right next door to Target & across from McDonald's at intersection of Ela and Rand Roads)
You can reach Dr. Ness by phone at 847.812.4215
Email at drness@drjasonness.com
Social Media
Connect with Dr. Ness on X @drjasonness for updates, events, and valuable mental health and high performance insights.
"Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom." -Viktor E. Frankel
Welcome to Ness Psychological Services