Counseling for Elite Athletes in Florida
Wesley Chapel, Tampa, Lutz, and Nearby Areas
Why would an elite athlete consider counseling?
The yips, the twisties, happy feet…different names for different sports, but all words for mental hang-ups that can negatively impact an athlete’s performance. Elite athletes must manage an extraordinary amount of pressure, including the expectation to project strength, stamina, and confidence at all times. There is a growing recognition in professional sports that mental fitness is an essential component of an athlete’s preparation for competitions that have traditionally been viewed as solely measures of physical fitness.
While mental health challenges do not carry as much stigma as they have in the past, there is still a formidable stigma within athletics, thus increasing the obstacle to one seeking help, support, and quality mental healthcare. We offer Counseling for Elite Athletes to Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Lutz, and nearby areas, as well as online video counseling throughout the state of Florida.
Can you identify with any of the following statements?
“I constantly feel dissatisfied with how my body looks; like I’m never good enough compared to others.”
“I’ve been injured and need help tolerating the pain of physical therapy and adjusting to time away from my sport.”
“I feel like I don’t know who I am outside of competition.”
“I want to increase my self-motivation and be consistent with my exercise program off-season or outside of practice.”
“I want to manage stress and anxieties about my performance and develop a healthy relationship with competition.”
“I worry about letting down my fans, coaches, teammates, friends and family.”
“I have trouble balancing the expectations of athletics, school/work and my personal life.”
We can help you manage stress, expectations, and pressure with Counseling for Elite Athletes at Boundless Hope Christian Clinical Counseling in Florida
Counseling is a safe place to get real.
As an elite athlete, you routinely push your body to its limits. You are familiar with “sucking it up,” “playing through the pain,” and “toughing it out.” Imagine if you could have a safe environment to process your feelings, without judgments or expectations. If you identify with any of the statements above, we understand. Our counseling offices are places where you can get real and just be, without having to perform or impress anyone. It would be our honor to come alongside you, listen to understand your experience, and offer psychological tools we have learned to help you continue to do what you love.
Athletes are people, first and foremost. Therefore, they do have weaknesses, emotions, and areas of vulnerability. Data derived from recent studies of professional athletes suggest that up to 35% of those competing at an elite level have experienced at least one significant mental health challenge in their lifetime, manifesting as chronic stress, eating disorders, depression, or anxiety. Depression and anxiety rates are similar to the general public’s however, eating disorder rates are thought to be higher in athletes.
“What are potential signs of anxiety, disordered eating, or depression?”
Anxiety
Unexplained sense of impending doom or danger
Feeling panicked
Sense of vulnerability or powerlessness
Rapid breathing or increased sedentary heart rate
Sweating or trembling in sedentary moments
Feeling tired, weak, or lethargic despite having adequate sleep/rest
Disordered Eating
Continual weight fluctuations
Alternating between periods of overeating and fasting
Continued dieting despite being a healthy weight
Anxiety about the calorie content of food
Frequent thoughts of food when not hungry or eating
Avoidance of eating with others or hiding food
Depression
Difficulty concentrating
Feeling irritable or quick-tempered
Changes in sleeping or eating patterns/needs
Increased drug or alcohol use
Decrease in energy or chronic fatigue
Disinterest in activities that were once pleasurable
Feeling unmotivated
Discover the benefits of counseling for elite athletes at Boundless Hope Christian Clinical Counseling in Florida
How can mental health counseling benefit an elite athlete?
If you are an elite athlete, we applaud you for seeking information about improving your mental health. Even if you are not struggling with mental health challenges, there are many tools our therapists can offer you that will help you in and out of competition. The world is full of stress and we can teach you strategies for relieving tension. Whether you’re on the field/court or off, it is human to make mistakes. We can equip you with tools to help manage your losses and recover quickly from mistakes. This resiliency will serve you long after you’ve retired from your athletic career.
“I think counseling could help me in my sport. How do I get started?”
We are excited that you see the benefits of adding elite athlete counseling to your training schedule! You can begin by reading about Nigel Bryant and Mitchell Zak. You can reach out to them directly, email Boundless Hope, or call us to schedule a FREE 15-minute phone consultation. Whether you choose to see Nigel or Mitchell, we are confident that your future self will thank you for the investment you are making today.