How Anxiety Therapy Can Help Athletes in Denver, CO

As an athlete you're no stranger to pushing your physical limits, but you might have a hard time admitting when you’re at your mental limit. Anxiety therapy is an essential part of being a well-rounded athlete. But how do you know when you need support? And does anxiety therapy even help? I’ve got the answers right this way!

Signs of Anxiety in Athletes

An estimated 30%-60% of athletes experience anxiety. As an athlete, you have an incredible connection to your body’s ability to perform. At the same time, you might not always know how to interpret certain signals your body is giving you. Recognizing these signals and decoding them is the first step toward getting your anxiety under control.

Physical Symptoms of Anxiety in Athletes

• Increased heart rate and palpitations (especially if you’re not performing a strenuous physical activity in that moment)

• Sweating more than usual

• Trembling or shaking (like developing a tremor in your throwing hand)

• Muscle tension or aches (especially if you haven’t worked out or performed recently)

• Nausea or stomach discomfort

• Shortness of breath

• Sleep disturbances

• Fatigue or weakness

Mental and Emotional Symptoms of Anxiety in Athletes

• Excessive worry about performance

• Difficulty concentrating

• Negative self-talk and self-doubt

• Irritability or mood swings

• Feeling overwhelmed or out of control

• Difficulty making decisions

• Perfectionism or unrealistic expectations

• Avoidance of training or competition

It's important to note that these symptoms can vary from athlete to athlete and may change in intensity over time.

Common Sources of Anxiety in Athletes

Pre-Competition Nerves

Pre-competition nerves are a common struggle for many athletes. While a certain level of nervousness can be beneficial, providing that extra boost of adrenaline, excessive pre-competition anxiety can be detrimental to performance and finding flow states.

Performance Pressure

The weight of expectations (from coaches, teammates, fans, and your own mind) can create immense performance pressure. Fear of not meeting expectations can shut you down and can even lead to panic attacks.

Fear of Failure

Closely tied to performance pressure is the fear of failure. You’ve dedicated years of your life to your sport and failure can mean different things depending on what level you’re playing at. Failure can be as straightforward as being frustrated with yourself, to having your contract terminated.

Fear of (Re)Injury

How Anxiety Therapy for Athletes Can Help

Seeking mental health support as an athlete isn't a sign of weakness – it's a strategic move to enhance your overall performance and well-being. As an anxiety therapist for athletes, I’ve seen firsthand how crucial it is for athletes to prioritize their mental health the same way they prioritize their physical health.

Improved Performance

By addressing anxiety head-on, athletes often see significant improvements in their performance. Therapy can help you develop mental strategies to stay focused under pressure, manage nerves, and perform at your best during major events.

Enhanced Resilience

Sports are as much about bouncing back from setbacks as they are about winning. Therapy equips athletes with tools to build mental resilience, helping you recover more quickly from losses, injuries, or performance plateaus.

Better Stress Management

Learning to manage stress effectively through therapy can have far-reaching benefits. These skills not only help in competitive situations but also in managing the day-to-day pressures of training, balancing athletics with other life responsibilities, and maintaining overall mental health.

Increased Self-Awareness

Therapy provides a space for self-reflection and increased self-awareness. Understanding your thought patterns, triggers, and reactions can lead to better self-regulation and emotional control, both on and off the field.

Improved Relationships

Anxiety can strain relationships with coaches, teammates, and loved ones. Therapy can help improve communication skills and emotional regulation, leading to stronger, more supportive relationships in all areas of life.

Brainspotting and Internal Family Systems Can Help Athletes Overcoming Anxiety

Brainspotting for Athletes

Brainspotting is a relatively new therapeutic technique that has shown promising results for athletes struggling with anxiety. This approach is based on the connection between the visual field, the brain, and the body's nervous system.

How it works:

• Identifying 'brainspots': These are specific eye positions that correlate with stored trauma or anxiety.

• Processing and releasing: By focusing on these spots, athletes can process and release deep-rooted anxieties that may be affecting performance.

• Enhancing focus: Brainspotting can help athletes improve their ability to stay present and focused during high-pressure situations.

When I guide athletes through a Brainspotting session, they often reports back with incredible results: breaking through performance blocks, increased focus, increased trust in their ability to perform, and reduced anxiety symptoms.

Internal Family Systems

Internal Family Systems therapy views the mind as composed of various 'parts'. For athletes, this can be particularly relevant in addressing conflicting internal voices that may contribute to anxiety.

How it works:

• Identifying parts: Recognizing different aspects of the self, such as 'the perfectionist,' 'the doubter,' or 'the competitor.'

• Achieving balance: Working to harmonize these parts to create a more balanced, confident athletic mindset.

• Accessing the core self: Connecting with the innate confidence and capability that exists within every athlete.

When athletes in my practice have engaged in IFS, they’ve gained clarity on where their self-doubt comes from, increased inner authority that helps with their leadership and decision-making, and enhanced their ability to remain emotionally balanced.

Looking for an anxiety therapist in Colorado who works with athletes?

For athletes in Denver (or elsewhere in Colorado) looking to elevate their performance and book a free intro call with me today. I’d love to talk with you about how we can work together.

Hi! I’m Halle, your Anxiety Therapist.

I work with anxious millennial professionals who are ready to trade in self-doubt for self-trust.

If you live in either Colorado or Oregon, I’d love to work with you! Book your free intro call to get started!