Does seeing a sports counselor help non-sport issues?

Yes! The work I do with athletes is transferable to anything in their lives. When we discuss something like managing stress or anxiety in competition the same mental skills and techniques can be applied outside of competition.

How often should I expect to come in for sessions?

Generally, depending on what you are struggling with I recommend athletes come in weekly or bi-weekly upfront. As athletes progress and show signs of improvement and relief we will adjust sessions or even only have check-in sessions as needed. Some athletes progress quickly and others need more time. We will discuss and collaborate together on the best options for you or your athlete. My goal is for our work together to be as brief as possible.

Does insurance cover my sports counseling sessions?

Although I do not accept insurance, I am happy to provide you with a superbill if applicable. Some clients may receive a portion of counseling fees reimbursed to them from their insurance company. Many clients will not receive any reimbursement. Being reimbursed the full fee is rare.

What’s the success rate for athletes who see sports counselors?

Success looks different for each athlete. This is a process much like learning an athletic skill for the first time. Some athletes after a few sessions really benefit quickly and others need more time. Success for my athletes isn’t about eliminating mistakes, playing perfectly, or never having stress or nerves. It is about building resiliency through mistakes, identifying and managing the things that hinder our performance, and putting small actions into place.

What does a sports counseling session look like?

If this is your first time seeing a sports counselor that first session is called an intake. In the intake, we will go over paperwork and reasons for coming in. I might ask about your sports history, injuries, and what currently is giving you trouble. After the first session, we really get to understand your struggles, collaborate on how to problem solve and give you skills and techniques to try at practice and games. You are the captain of the sessions and I am there to support, listen and recommend things as needed.

How is Mental Coaching different from Sports Counseling?

Therapists tend to focus more on the past or present while coaches tend to focus more on the present and the future. Therapists are often more focused on cognitions while coaches are often more focused on behaviors. Coaching is focused on goals and the improvement of mental performance. Therapy is focused on mental health and the improvement of overall well-being.