The Dink Shrink
Where pickleball meets psychology. Sharpen your mental game, communicate better with your partner, and keep your cool when the match gets tight.
Meet the Dink Shrink
Michelle Taylor, LPCC, is a licensed therapist and a competitive 5.0 pickleball player, sponsored by Gearbox Pickleball. She grew up playing volleyball, basketball, and ping pong, coached for years (including being named Monterey County Coach of the Year), and, like most people who pick up a paddle, quickly found a healthy addiction to the game.
On the court, she noticed something familiar. The same patterns she works on in therapy show up in doubles: the partner who goes quiet after a mistake, the one who over-apologizes, the blame that creeps in after a lost point, the nerves that tighten a swing at 9–9. Communication breaks down on the court for the same reasons it breaks down at home.
So she created The Dink Shrink to bring the tools she teaches in her practice, like emotional regulation, communication, and self-talk, to players and partners who want to play better and enjoy the game more.
What we work on
- Nerves, tightening up, and playing your best under pressure
- Resetting after mistakes instead of spiraling
- Communicating with your doubles partner during and between points
- Frustration, anger, and emotional regulation on the court
- Confidence and the way you talk to yourself
- Couples and friends who play together and want to stay together
How it works
Sessions focus on the mental side of your game, with practical tools you can take straight to your next match. If what’s showing up on the court turns out to be about more than pickleball, Michelle can also talk with you about therapy. You’ll sort out together which kind of support fits during your free consult.
Follow The Dink Shrink for pickleball and psychology tips:
Ready to work on your mental game?
Book a free 20-minute consult to talk about what’s happening on (and off) the court.
If you’re in crisis, call or text 988, or call 911.