It has been reported that Tiger Woods is in “marriage counseling” as a result of these current events in his life. I am sending a plea out that Mr. Woods needs more than marriage counseling to correct his behavior and his public image. Marriage counseling is a very circumscribed intervention. It is a wonderful help to a marriage relationship when conducted by a skilled professional therapist. BUT, a caution here. If only a small amount of the facts being paraded in the news about Mr. Woods is true, it is my professional opinion that he needs individual therapy in conjunction with therapeutic intervention on his marriage. Mr. Woods may be suffering from what plagues most athletes, especially professional athletes. That is, the pressure and stress from their performance is resulting in negative consequences in their life.

The credentialed professionals in the International Sports Professionals Association(ISPA) are those best qualified to intervene in the lives of athletes suffering from these disorders. We know athletes well. Many of us having been athletes all our lives.

With well over 25 years of experience as a clinical psychologist and noted for my success in offering practical and direct interventions, I would offer myself to intervene into this situation and solve it with the Woods. I hope and pray that Mr. & Mrs. Woods and their family are receiving the best help they can get and are not just going through the motions with some quasi-professional so that they can report this to the media. Please get the best help you can.

Dr. John E. Mayer, President-ISPA