Peter J. Economou

Peter J. Economou is a psychologist, mental health counselor, academic executive, researcher, and performance coach of American football. He is best known as an advocate of integrating and promoting mental health awareness in collegiate sports and the founder of two nonprofit organizations: Share Our World, and The Counseling and Wellness Institute.

Education Peter Economou is an alumnus of the Seton Hall University, from his Bachelor studies, finishing with a degree in Biological Science in 2002, through his Doctor of Philosophy, major in Counselling Psychology studies degree in 2011; his doctoral dissertation is titled "Experiences of the White Gay Male: An Investigation of the Relationship between Factors of Being Gay, Heterosexism, and the Stress Response System." In between, he studied Master of Arts, major in Counseling and Psychological Studies, graduating in 2006, then took up Educational Specialist studies in Counseling and Psychological studies, which he completed in 2007. He was formally inducted into the Seton Hall Athletics Hall of Fame on 21 January 2023.

Licenses and certifications Economou is licensed and practicing as a psychologist in New York and as psychologist and Professional Counselor in New Jersey, while teaching in the university, and fulfilling other professional roles. He is Board Certified in Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy, and a Certified Mental Performance Consultant through the Association of Applied Sport Psychology. before being employed in Rutgers University since 2018, where he is currently an assistant professor, head of the Organizational Psychology Program while also being the Director of Behavioral Health and Sport Psychology Department.

In 2008, he founded the nonprofit Non-governmental Organization, Share Our World, dedicated to delivering culturally centered education, advancing cultural diversity, and expanding awareness around mental health. He also founded the Counseling and Wellness Institute in 2015 to support education and advance research in evidence-based practices and subsequent applications in mental health.

As director of Rutgers University's Behavioral Health and Sport Psychology, he is instrumental in advancing the integration of Psychology and Mental Health Awareness in the field of collegiate sports. Because of this, he was featured as resource person for promoting mental health awareness in collegiate and professional sports in news websites in New Jersey. He has been in the editorial board of the Journal of Clinical Sports Psychology since 2014, in addition to memberships to state and national psychology associations. along with being interviewed by local news websites in connection with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the mental health of citizens, students, and athletes.

He also teaches Zen Buddhism, after having studied at the Morning Star Zendo with Robert Kennedy Roshi.

Coaching and views Through the Behavioral Health and Sport Psychology Department of Rutgers University, Economou also takes on the role of performance coaching, "providing Rutgers student-athletes with the tools to tackle mental challenges is as critical to their success as the physical support required to compete in the Big Ten Conference." He has been helping black athletes and their respective teams overcome racism and injustice.

In a 2024 New York Times article on sustaining a summer work routine, Economou discussed practices for preserving mental fitness during seasonal schedule shifts.

Selected publications

Podcasts

On Air with Dr. Pete (2023–present), a weekly mental‑health podcast he hosts across Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.

When East Meets West (2020–present), co‑hosted with psychologist Nikki Rubin, blending Eastern mindfulness with Western behavioral science.

Articles

Economou, P. J., & Gamble, A. (2024). "Navigating an Inter‑collegiate Athletes’ Transition Related to the Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) Interim Policy." Journal of Sport Psychology in Action. doi:10.1080/21520704.2024.2348153. Economou, Peter; Glascock, Tori; Gamble, Alexander, (2022) Black Student-Athletes and Racism Pandemic: Building Antiracist Practices in Athletics, Journal of Applied Sport Psychology. 1-18 Economou, P; Glascock, V; Louie, M; Poliakova, P; Zuckerberg, W; (2021) COVID-19 and its Impact on Student-athlete Depression and Anxiety: The Return to Campus, The Sport Journal, 22(1), 1-7 Economou, P; Farfan, M; Idirraga, A; Chafos, V; (2015) Modismos: Mindfulness and The Importance of Language with Latin American Clients, Vistas, American Counseling Association, Article 926. Economou, P; Chafos, V; Farfan, M; Idarraga M; (2015) Reducing Cravings: Implications for Treating Addictions Mindfully, Ideas and Research You Can Use: VISTAS, p. 1-7. Economou, P, (2011) Experiences of the White Gay Male: An Investigation of the Relationship Between Factors of Being Gay, Heterosexism, and the Stress Response System Chafos, V; Economou, P, (2014) Beyond Borderline Personality Disorder: The Mindful Brain, Social Work Journal. 59(4), 297–302, p. 297 Palmer, L; Economou, P J; Cruz, D; Huntington, J; McLennon, S; Maris, M (2010) The Relationship Between Stress, Fatigue, and Cognitive Functioning, College Student Journal 47 (2): 312-325

Books

Economou, P (2021) Meditation Journal for Anxiety: Daily Meditations, Prompts, and Practices for Finding Calm, Rockridge Press, Emeryville, CA. Economou, P (2021) Mindfulness Working for Beginners: Exercises and Meditations to Relieve Stress, Find Joy, and Cultivate Gratitude, Rockridge Press, Emeryville, CA.