Parent Mental Health & Stress Support

Raising an athlete can lead to emotional pressure, anxiety, and uncertainty. Therapy supports parents by helping them:

• Manage parental stress and anxiety related to youth and teen sports

• Cope with guilt or pressure from athletic expectations

• Navigate emotions during competitions, games, and practices

• Support children through injuries, setbacks, or performance challenges

• Balance parenting with family life, work, and self-care

Supporting parent mental health strengthens the entire family and positively impacts athlete well-being.

🧠 Education on Athlete Mental Health & Development

We provide parent education on youth and teen athlete mental health to help caregivers understand:

• Emotional and developmental needs of athletes at different ages

• Signs of sports-related anxiety, burnout, or emotional distress

• How to foster a healthy athletic identity and growth mindset

• The impact of competition, pressure, and overtraining on mental health

• Techniques for supporting confidence, resilience, and emotional regulation

Education empowers parents to respond to their athlete’s needs effectively and confidently.

💬 Improving Parent–Athlete Communication

Effective communication strengthens relationships and supports emotional development. Therapy helps parents:

• Respond supportively after wins, losses, or mistakes

• Reduce conflict and stress around performance and playing time

• Establish trust and emotional safety with their athlete

• Model healthy emotional regulation and coping strategies

• Promote open dialogue about mental health and sports experiences

Positive communication improves performance, confidence, and emotional wellness.

⚖️ Managing Pressure, Expectations & Balance

Parents often struggle with finding the right balance between support and pressure. Sessions focus on:

• Reducing performance-related pressure

• Setting healthy expectations

• Encouraging effort, growth, and enjoyment over outcomes

• Supporting balance between sports, school, and personal life

Supporting Athletes Through Injury, Stress, & Burnout

Parents often struggle to know how to help athletes manage challenges. Our parent-focused sports therapy addresses:

• Guiding athletes through performance anxiety or mental blocks

• Supporting recovery from injury, setbacks, or time off

• Recognizing early signs of burnout or emotional fatigue

• Helping athletes manage transitions in sports, teams, or roles

Parents gain strategies to support resilience and mental wellness in athletes.

🔄 Navigating Transitions & Life Changes

We help families navigate:

• Changes in teams, coaches, or performance levels

• Developmental transitions from youth to teen sports

• Identity concerns when sports feel overwhelming

🚨 Crisis Support & Resource Guidance

As Sports social work professionals, we provide:

• Support during emotional or high-stress situations

• Safety planning when needed

• Connection to community and mental health resources

🤝 Collaborative & Family-Centered Approach

Parent sessions may include:

• Parent-only sessions

• Joint parent-athlete sessions when appropriate

• Collaboration with coaches, schools, or other providers (with consent)

Why Parent Sessions Matter

✔ Strengthen family support systems
✔ Reduce stress and conflict
✔ Improve athlete well-being and confidence
✔ Promote healthy, long-term development

Because when parents feel supported, athletes thrive on and off the field.