University of St. Thomas Athletics
Mental Health & Performance Staff
| Name | Title | |
| Dr. Ben Merkling | Sport Psychologist, Vice President of Client Services | |
| Dr. McKenzie Bromback | Athletic Counselor, Mental Performance Consultant | mbromback@premiersportpsychology.com |
| Dr. Chrissy Holm Haider | Athletic Counselor, Mental Performance Consultant, Leadership Coach | cholmhaider@premiersportpsychology.com |
| Nate Penz | Athletic Counselor, Mental Performance Consultant | npenz@premiersportpsychology.com |
Dr. Ben Merkling - Sport Psychologist
Ben Merkling, Psy.D, is a Licensed Psychologist who specializes in sport and performance psychology. Ben aims to help athletes enhance motivation, increase present-moment awareness, and manage the many mental health concerns common in athletic populations, from self-defeating thoughts and behaviors, to anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and body dysmorphia.Ben came into the field comparatively late in his academic career, having accumulated professional mental healthcare experience in college counseling centers and the Courage Kenny Rehab institute, and completed his master’s and doctoral degrees in Counseling Psychology, before finding a home in his work with the student-athletes at Saint Mary’s University, and later, St. Thomas and the University of Wisconsin, Lacrosse. A varsity basketball player in high school and competitive golfer from a young age, Ben’s approach to mental health and mental skills training—from mindfulness to leadership to values-based goal setting—is a natural fit in performance environments, where his aims are to use the skills that enhance performance to improve overall wellness and sport/life enjoyment.
He still enjoys playing golf, shooting hoops, and introducing his three children to the joys of sport and competition.
Ben’s work with student-athletes has continued in his time with Premier Sport Psychology, having worked with athletic departments at Macalester College and the University of Minnesota, and consulted directly with both coaches and athletes at St. Thomas through their complicated and historic transition from a Division III to a Division I designation. His work extends into the professional ranks, where he serves as a consultant to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and is heavily involved in draft profiling projects for both NBA and NFL clients.
Ben also serves as the Executive Clinical Director and Clinical Training Director for Premier, which has him overseeing day-to-day clinical operations of Premier staff, and directing the mental health and mental performance training for pre-licensed consultants and post-doctoral residents pursuing state licensure.
Dr. McKenzie Bromback - Athletic Counselor, Mental Performance Consultant
Dr. McKenzie Bromback brings a rich background in research, counseling, and sport psychology. During her academic career, she served as a research assistant at the Tucker Center for Research on Girls and Women in Sport and also for Athlete Ally, a U.S.-based nonprofit LGBTQ+ athletic advocacy group. Her doctoral research focused on adolescent mental health, specifically examining the relationship between perceptions of the coach-athlete relationship and mental health outcomes in high school athletes.McKenzie has extensive experience coaching and developing high school and youth soccer players across all levels. She holds an undergraduate minor in coaching and completed her United States Soccer Federation D license in March 2020. Additionally, she has taught soccer courses at the University of Minnesota.
McKenzie earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology from the University of Minnesota. She also holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Western States, where she completed her Ed.D. in Sport and Performance Psychology in May 2024. She is currently pursuing her LPCC licensure.
McKenzie is deeply passionate about enhancing the lives of athletes and coaches, both on and off the field. Through the application of mental skills and the management of mental health symptoms, she aims to improve the overall well-being of these specific populations. She truly values being a part of the University of St. Thomas Athletics Department and serving its student-athletes.
Dr. Chrissy Holm Haider - Athletic Counselor, Mental Performance Consultant, Leadership Coach
Chrissy Holm Haider comes by her expertise in Leadership and Mental Performance honestly. A five-sport letter-winner in high school, Chrissy began a career in rowing while an undergraduate at the University of Michigan, where she won national and world titles on her way to Big-10 Athlete of the Year (Rowing), Academic All Big-10 honors, and a Leadership Distinction award from the renowned Jeff Janssen Leadership Academy. She went on to earn a master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Brunel University in London, competing on the university’s netball team, before repatriating to coach Women’s Crew for the University of Minnesota. She has since earned her Ed.D in Sport and Performance Psychology with a masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Western States.Chrissy’s work at Premier Sport Psychology includes developing and facilitating leadership curriculum for clients and university programs, and bringing mindfulness practices and mental skills training to amateur, professional, and Olympic-level athletes. Chrissy also consults for a variety of business organizations and executives to improve leadership and work performance.
When not working at Premier, Chrissy can be found in the yoga studio, where she is a LifePower certified instructor specializing in Flow Free, HIIT yoga, Warrior Sculpt, and yoga/mindfulness fusion.
Chrissy began her time with Premier as a project specialist writing curriculum and facilitating lectures for the company’s Leadership U program at the University of Minnesota, and building to mental performance and leadership development work with local colleges, businesses, and professional franchises like the Minnesota Twins, where her education, considerable ambition, and experiences as a coach for one of the country’s most prestigious athletic programs could be brought into fuller view.
Nate Penz - Athletic Counselor, Mental Performance Consultant
Nate Penz, MA, LPCC, is a mental health professional specializing in sport and performance psychology. Nate uses a relational and collaborative approach while working with individuals of all ages. He strives to empower individuals and improve performance on and off the playing surface.Nate is from Rochester, Minn., and earned his Bachelor’s degree in psychology from St. Olaf College. During college, Nate provided individual quarterback lessons, instructing athletes on fundamentals while also teaching skills related to overcoming adversity, enhancing leadership, building focus, fostering teamwork, and developing a growth mindset. After completing his undergraduate degree, Nate attended the University of St. Thomas and earned his master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. While in graduate school, Nate worked for a nonprofit organization where he planned, implemented, and managed recreational activities for individuals with developmental disabilities. After graduating, Nate worked as a generalist for an outpatient mental health clinic, where he treated a wide variety of mental health and performance concerns.
Nate’s theoretical orientation is integrative and rooted in person-centered theory. He utilizes various concepts and interventions from Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), such as thought challenging and reframing, goal setting, and cultivating self-compassion.
Nate played football, basketball, baseball, and golf throughout high school. At St. Olaf College, he played quarterback and was a two-time team captain. In his free time, Nate enjoys spending time with his family and friends, learning new hobbies, and playing basketball, golf, and a variety of instruments such as the piano, drums, guitar, and ukulele.
