Patchell
Jason
PRINCIPAL PSYCHOLOGIST, INNERVENTURE
LEAD PSYCHOLOGIST, SURFING AUSTRALIA
SENIOR CONSULTANT & SUPERVISOR, AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF SPORT
PRINCIPAL PSYCHOLOGIST, INNERVENTURE
Lead Psychologist, Surfing Australia
Senior consultant & Supervisor, Australian Institute of Sport
Jason Patchell is a Principal Psychologist and Performance Consultant whose work sits at the intersection of elite sport, mental health, and cultivating high performance environments. Jason currently divides his time across several leadership positions within Australian high-performance sport and Innerventure.
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• Master of Psychology (Sport) – University of Queensland
• Bachelor of Psychological Science (Hons) – University of Queensland
• AHPRA Registered Psychologist
• AHPRA Sport & Exercise Psychology Endorsement
• AHPRA Board Approved Supervisor
Jason is known for his innovative, human-centred approach to unlocking potential, building resilience, and driving sustainable high performance.
Jason’s work is grounded in transformational change. He meets people where they are, supports growth from the inside out, and helps clients build self-determined motivation that lasts. Whether working with elite athletes, coaches, leaders, performing artists or organisations, his focus is always on creating meaningful, lasting impact.
A natural innovator and creator, Jason designs engaging frameworks, learning experiences, and performance tools that simplify complex ideas and empower people to take ownership of their development. His sessions are known for being practical, engaging and deeply reflective—supporting greater self-awareness, trust, and adaptability.
For more than 20 years Jason has held Senior and Lead Psychologist roles with the Australian Institute of Sport and various National Sporting Organisations. He has played a significant role in shaping psychological support systems in Australia that build long lasting capability in and out of sport and across both Olympic and Paralympic Summer and Winter Games campaigns. campaigns.
Jason is currently Lead Psychologist for Surfing Australia where he is responsible for the strategy and delivery of psychological and mental health support for Australian professional surfers, coaches and the broader high-performance program. This has included the provision of strategic and psychological direction for the Irukandjis Teams at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Through Innerventure, Jason partners with global athletes, National Sporting Organisations, schools, businesses and the Australian Institute of Sport to deliver high-impact programs in mental skills, wellbeing, leadership, and performance psychology. His ability to connect, inspire, and challenge makes him a trusted advisor and facilitator in high-performance environments.
Professional
Supervision Services
Strengthen Professional Psychologist competencies to have greater impact with individual and group clients
Maximising impact when working in high-performance systems
Navigate professional and ethical issues in high performance and/or complex organisational settings
AHPRA Registrar Program Principal Supervisor - Sport and Exercise Psychology
Industry Testimonials
Publications
The dark side of excessive commitment to the job
November 2024 | In book: Coaching Stories; Navigating Storms, Triumphs, and Transformations in Sport. In Chapter 26 (pp.277-287)
"A coach’s ability to take full responsibility for an athlete or team’s performance is often celebrated as a valuable characteristic. This can often result in excessive investment of time and emotional resources as coaches attempt to lead their athletes and teams to achieving desired outcomes and attempt to overcome challenging situations. While taking responsibility as a leader clearly plays a critical role in success, what if that excessive responsibility for athletes or teams overshadows any responsibility taken for one’s own mental, physical, emotional, and social health?”
Moderating effects of perceived team cohesion on attribution bias: Does it pay to be a member of a highly cohesive team? Patchell, J. W. and Hanrahan, S.J. (2005). Promoting Health and Performance for Life, Sydney, 15-19 August, 2005. Sydney: International Society of Sport Psychology.
Sport Psychology: Australia’s Up and Coming Winning Edge. Patchell, J, Peterson, K & Appaneal, R. Symposium at 2014 Association of Applied Sport Psychology, Las Vegas, Nevada.
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In the Media
Mindfulness and Sport: How are they connected and why is it important? - Playbook
Mindfulness gives athletes at every level a competitive edge and enables them to perform at their best and remain focused, even in high-pressure situations. By practising mindfulness, athletes can block out external pressures, conflicts, stressors and triggers and gain focus and clarity when they need it most.
How a sports psychologist helps Olympic Champion Gwen Jorgensen chase her Paris dream - Tri247
Sports psychologist Jason Patchell believes elite performance is built long before race day, through discipline, presence, and the ability to stay grounded under pressure. Working closely with Olympic champion Gwen Jorgensen during her return to triathlon, Patchell focused on helping her reconnect with the habits, mindset, and purpose that allow her to perform at her best
Why two-time world champion Tyler Wright keeps a psychologist on the beach - Sydney Morning Herald
Rather than viewing mental strength as simply “pushing through,” Wright’s approach centres on self-awareness, emotional regulation, and creating systems of support that allow athletes to perform sustainably over time. Her openness reflects a broader shift in elite sport, where vulnerability, recovery, and mental resilience are increasingly recognised as essential components of long-term success.
Normalising Wipeouts by Surfing Australia TV
Surfing Australia's Sport Psychologist Jason Patchell, and Coach Ziggy are here to help understand that wipeouts are a normal part of learning to surf. Falling off your board happens to everyone, and it’s a key part of building skills, confidence, and a positive relationship with the ocean.
Podcast Appearances
