# Why Climbing Therapist Wants You to Stop Being Hard on Yourself

> Climbing therapist urges climbers to stop self-criticism and embrace mental health.
- Title: Why Climbing Therapist Wants You to Stop Being Hard on…
- Summary: Climbing therapist urges climbers to stop self-criticism and embrace mental health.
- Keywords: climbing, mindset, mental health, get a grip, louis parkinson, joel robertson, catalyst climbing, vertebrate publishing, shauna coxsey, hamish macarthur
- Source: Climbing — https://climbing.com/culture-climbing/get-a-grip-book-mindset
- Author: Maya Silver
- Published: 2026-11-12T16:16:44+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: climbing, mindset, mental health, get a grip, louis parkinson, joel robertson, catalyst climbing, vertebrate publishing, shauna coxsey, hamish macarthur, sports, travel
## Climbing Mindset Pressure
Climbers often compare themselves to others and feel pressure to improve their grades.
## Grading System Challenges
The Yosemite Decimal System and V-scale create a progress ladder that climbers feel pressured to climb higher.
## Climbing Therapist's View
Joel Robertson, a climbing therapist, says mental health and climbing mindset are not separate issues.
## Book Release Details
Get a Grip, co-authored by Louis Parkinson and Joel Robertson, was released on October 8, 2026.
## Personal Struggles
Parkinson stopped enjoying climbing after years of performance pressure, leading to an identity crisis.
## Climbing Mindset Tips
Focus on comparisons that are accurate and valuable, not based on envy or self-pity.
## Reframing Thoughts
Reframe negative thoughts like 'I failed' to 'I could climb this route today'.
## Pro Climber Insights
Shauna Coxsey emphasizes curiosity over motivation for a strong climbing mindset.
## Flow State
Hamish McArthur blacks out during hard climbs to enter a flow state.
## Mindset Challenges
Achieving a flow state requires long-term commitment to mental training and quieting the mind.
## Key takeaway

Climbing therapist Joel Robertson and coach Louis Parkinson urge climbers to stop self-criticism and focus on mental health to avoid performance pressure.