Therapy for Athletes

You push yourself every day to be faster, stronger, better—but no matter how hard you try, it never feels like enough. The pressure to perform can feel all-consuming, and when you're not meeting your own standards, it can hit you harder than any loss on the field. It’s not just about physical training anymore—it’s about the mental battle, the fear of failure, the constant worry of not measuring up.

And when those same feelings of anxiety, self-doubt, or burnout creep into your personal life, it’s like you're constantly running on empty. You’re drained, but you keep going because that’s what athletes do, right? You push through. But deep down, you're longing for a way to get past the noise—the pressure to be perfect, to never show weakness, to always keep moving forward.

I get it. Being an athlete is about more than performance; it’s about the person you are underneath the uniform. And I’m here to help you navigate the mental and emotional side of being an athlete, while also supporting you as a whole person. From performance anxiety to recovering from injury, to overcoming that constant inner critic that never lets you rest—together, we’ll tackle it all.

You deserve to show up as your true self, not just as an athlete. Let’s focus on what matters most: your well-being, inside and outside the game. Because when you thrive as a person, the athlete will follow.

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EMDR for Athletes: Building Mental Strength that Powers Physical Performance

As an athlete, you know that physical training is only half the equation. What often goes unseen—but deeply affects how you perform—is your mental landscape. Past injuries, performance setbacks, or deeply ingrained fears can create mental barriers that limit how you compete and perform, even when your body is fully ready. Through EMDR therapy, we address those hidden blocks, helping you perform with greater confidence, focus, and resilience.

How EMDR Supports Athletic Performance:

  • Release Mental Blocks: EMDR helps you reprocess memories that carry emotional weight—whether it's a traumatic injury, a disappointing competition, or a deeply internalized belief that you're “not good enough.”

  • Build Confidence: By working through these patterns, you build a foundation of self-trust that helps you step into pressure without being derailed by fear.

  • Manage Stress & Performance Anxiety: EMDR enhances your ability to regulate emotions, especially under stress, so you can stay calm, centered, and in control when stakes are high.

  • Enhance Mind-Body Unity: The therapy works with images, sensations, feelings, and thoughts, helping you integrate physical sensations—important for athletes who rely on their body awareness.

  • Long-Term Benefits Beyond Sport: The gains extend beyond your sport; the emotional resilience and regulation you build carry over into work, relationships, and life.

Why It Works (Evidence-Based):

  • Research shows EMDR can reduce anxiety and improve self-confidence in injured athletes. EMDR International Association

  • EMDR has been used successfully to treat “performance blocks,” where athletes struggle with locked or frozen movement. EMDR International Association

  • Case studies indicate that EMDR can boost concentration, imagery, and emotional control after injury. DergiPark+1

Whether you’re returning from injury, battling performance anxiety, or looking to deepen your mental game, EMDR offers a path to greater clarity, confidence, and consistency. Let’s talk about how we can tailor EMDR to your experience as an athlete.

Common Struggles Athletes Face

Performance Anxiety: The constant pressure to perform at your peak, fearing that failure will define you, often leads to anxiety that can impact your ability to focus, relax, or give your best effort.

Injury Recovery: Physical recovery is hard enough, but emotional healing from injury can feel even more overwhelming. It’s not just about getting back on your feet—it’s about rebuilding confidence and managing the emotional toll of being sidelined.

Burnout: Pushing yourself to the limit day after day can eventually leave you feeling drained and uninspired, leading to burnout. It’s tough to find the balance between pushing yourself and knowing when to rest.

Perfectionism & Self-Doubt: Striving to be perfect in your sport can easily spiral into a cycle of self-criticism and doubt. That inner voice telling you it’s never enough can wear you down mentally and emotionally.

HOW THERAPY CAN HELP ATHLETES THRIVE

  • Developing a stronger mental game is just as important as physical training. We’ll work on techniques to help you stay calm under pressure, reduce anxiety, and bounce back from setbacks.

  • Many athletes tie their self-worth to their performance. Together, we’ll help you cultivate a sense of self beyond the uniform, so you feel whole and fulfilled, no matter what happens on the field.

  • We’ll explore ways to manage the stress of constantly living up to expectations—yours and others’—while learning to set realistic, compassionate goals for yourself.

  • Whether it's overcoming the disappointment of an injury or adjusting to a break in your career, we’ll work on rebuilding mental strength and staying motivated through difficult times.

  • Together, we’ll shift away from perfectionism and develop a healthier, more forgiving mindset. You’ll learn how to treat yourself with compassion and quiet the inner critic.

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