Typing Effect

Paul's work has been endorsed by professors at:

SERVICES

Psychotherapy
Paul provides psychotherapy for all ages using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness and positive psychology.

For children, Paul uses his Student Life Skills program.

Mental Performance Coaching
Paul provides mental fitness training that helps athletes improve performance in their sport and in life. He uses his SPARK Method with athletes, coaches and parents through Athletic Mind.

Karate
Paul teaches classes for grades 6–12 at North Shore Karate Center in Winnetka.

Schedule an Appointment

SPARK Method for Athletes

One Concept - Two Applications. Learn how to apply one mindset strategy for both sport and life.

Paul has worked with athletes at every level: Youth, High School, College, Pro, Olympians

Sports: Football, Baseball, Basketball, Swimming, Diving, Hockey, Lacrosse, Water Polo, Equestrian, Field Hockey, Martial Arts, Track and Field, Tennis, Pickleball, Wrestling, Weight Lifting, CrossFit, Fencing, Volleyball, Gymnastics, Soccer, Skiing, Rowing, Golf, Marksmanship, Archery

Athletes From: U of IL, U of MI, U of WI, Notre Dame, Pacific, U of FL, U of MN, Clemson, Navy, Army, U of Iowa, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bulls, Whitney Young HS, New Trier HS, Loyola Academy HS, Lake Forest HS

“If I try to beat someone, then I can only get as good as they are. If I try to be as good as I can be, there’s no telling where that might lead.”

Shaun White - Olympic Snowboarder

Visit AthleticMind.fit

The Mission is the Same for Athletes and Students

Raise Awareness

Your mindset sets the tone for everything in your life, understanding this is the key to improve your life

Practical Tools

Real results require tangible tools, all of our programs are meant to be implemented directly in your life.

Student Life Skills

For Children Grades K - 5

Help your child learn and apply skills to have emotional wellness and healthy habits.

For both school and home use.

Visit StudentLifeSkills.com

About Paul Sweetow

Paul Sweetow, LCSW, has spent more than 35 years as a psychotherapist. He earned his master's in social work at the University of Chicago and runs a private practice in Evanston, Illinois, where he works with clients of all ages using cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness and positive psychology.

As a mental performance coach, Paul works with athletes, coaches and parents from youth sports through the professional level. He has worked with programs at the University of Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Clemson, Navy and Army, among others, and has consulted with programs connected to the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bulls. He is a Certified Tiny Habits Coach and serves as Advisor to the AAU Board of Directors for Athlete Safety, Mental Health & Performance. His SPARK Method, taught through Athletic Mind, trains the same mental skills for elite performance and everyday life.

Paul is the author of 13 books, including Student Life Skills, the three-book Bite-Sized SEL series, The Socratic Parent and the eight-book Heroic Adventures of Miles and Maria series. He founded Student Life Skills to give families and schools a simple, shared approach to social-emotional learning.

Martial arts are the foundation of his work. Paul is a 6th-degree black belt in karate and holds black belts in Tae Kwon Do, Kobudo and Iaido. He is a 10-time AAU National Champion and a World Champion in kata, and he teaches at North Shore Karate Center in Winnetka.