🧠 Identity Development & Life Skills

Adolescence is a critical time for identity formation. I help teen athletes:

• Develop a healthy athletic identity without over-identifying with performance

• Build self-worth beyond wins, stats, or playing time

• Strengthen communication and boundary-setting skills

• Navigate peer relationships, coaches, and authority figures

• Prepare for future transitions, including high school athletics, college recruitment, or life beyond competitive sports

This approach reduces burnout and supports balanced personal growth.

🎯 Therapeutic Approach

At Beyond the Arena Therapy, services are grounded in evidence-based, trauma-informed, and strengths-based care, including:

• Cognitive and behavioral strategies for anxiety and stress management

• Emotional regulation and coping skill development

• Mindset and confidence building techniques

• Trauma informed care for high pressure or adverse sport experiences

• Social emotional learning integrated into sports performance

Services are available in-person in Kissimmee and St. Cloud, and statewide via virtual therapy in Florida.

🤕 Sports Performance & Injury Support

Athletic performance is closely connected to mental and emotional health. I support teen athletes by addressing:

• Performance anxiety and mental blocks during games or competitions

• Confidence rebuilding after mistakes or setbacks

• Mental recovery and emotional processing after injuries

• Fear of reinjury and return-to-play anxiety

• Motivation and focus during rehabilitation

Support emphasizes healthy mindset development, emotional safety, and long-term well-being—not just performance outcomes.

🔥 Stress, Burnout & Pressure Management

Teen athletes often juggle multiple demands. We help manage:

• Burnout and exhaustion

• Pressure from coaches, parents, or self-expectations

• Balancing school, sports, and social life

• Emotional overwhelm and perfectionism

🔄 Identity Development & Life Transitions

Adolescence is a time of self-discovery. We support teens with:

• Developing identity beyond athletics

• Managing changes in roles, teams, or performance levels

• Navigating transitions such as college prep or sport changes

• Exploring future goals inside and outside of sports

👨‍👩‍👧 Family & Parent Collaboration

As part of sports social work practice, I recognize the importance of family involvement. With consent, I work collaboratively with parents and caregivers to:

• Provide parent education on supporting athlete mental health

• Improve family communication and expectations

• Address stress related to travel sports, recruiting, or competition

• Support healthy routines around sleep, nutrition, and recovery

This ensures consistent support for the teen athlete across environments.

 Signs & Symptoms to Watch For

Parents and coaches should be aware of behaviors that may indicate a teen athlete needs support:

• Changes in appetite or sleep patterns

• Mood or behavior shifts

• Physical complaints with no clear injury

• Withdrawal from sport or activities they once enjoyed

• Chest tightness, racing heart, or stomach issues

• Increased negative self-talk or self-criticism

• Uncharacteristic drops in performance

• Talking about quitting or leaving their sport

Early support can help teen athletes develop resilience, confidence, and emotional regulation, enabling them to thrive in sport, school, and life.