Sport Psychology for
St. Louis Athletes
In-Person and Online Services Throughout Missouri and Select US States
Do you feel constant pressure to perform but struggle to keep up mentally or emotionally?
Maybe you’ve noticed that:
- Anxiety before competitions is becoming harder to manage
- Training feels more stressful than fulfilling
- Confidence has taken a hit after injury or a difficult performance
- Sleep, motivation, or recovery feel out of balance
- Your relationship with food, exercise, or your body feels complicated
- Your identity feels completely tied to your sport
For many athletes and high performers, sport is deeply meaningful. But the demands of training, competition, and performance expectations can sometimes feel overwhelming.
When mental health challenges begin to affect your ability to train, compete, or enjoy sport, it can leave you feeling stuck and unsure where to turn.
The good news is that with the right support, you can regain balance, strengthen your mental skills, and reconnect with the reasons you love sport in the first place.
Send Us A Message!
Many Athletes Experience These Challenges
Athletes are often expected to appear mentally tough and resilient at all times. Because of this, many athletes feel pressure to push through emotional or psychological struggles alone.
In reality, mental health challenges among athletes are common. Research shows that athletes frequently experience concerns such as anxiety, depression, burnout, sleep difficulties, and disordered eating while continuing to train and compete at high levels.
These challenges can arise for many reasons, including:
- intense training demands
- performance expectations
- injuries or setbacks
- transitions within sport
- identity pressures tied to athletic success
Many athletes worry that seeking help means they are not mentally strong enough.
In truth, addressing mental health and developing psychological skills are essential components of sustainable performance. Working with a sport psychology provider can help you manage pressure, improve resilience, and build a healthier relationship with both your sport and yourself.
Develop Mental Strength and Sustainable Performance
Our approach to sport psychology focuses on supporting the whole athlete—not just performance outcomes.
When you work with one of our skilled sport psychology providers, you will focus on both mental health and performance optimization, recognizing that athletes perform at their best when they are psychologically supported.
Individual Sport Psychology Sessions
One-on-one sessions provide a confidential space to explore the challenges that may be affecting your well-being or sport performance.
Together, we work on issues such as:
- performance anxiety
- depression or loss of motivation
- eating disorders and disordered eating
- stress and burnout
- adjustment difficulties and life transitions
- trauma
- recovering from an injury
- sleep and recovery
- relationship or team concerns
Sessions allow us to better understand what you are experiencing and develop strategies that support both mental health and performance.
Mental Skills Training
Just as athletes devote significant time to physical training, mental preparation is equally important.
Mental skills training focuses on developing psychological tools that help athletes perform consistently and confidently.
These sessions may focus on:
- managing pre-competition anxiety
- strengthening confidence and self-talk
- improving focus and attention regulation
- effective goal setting
- imagery and visualization techniques
- managing discomfort during training and competition
- maintaining motivation and commitment
- creating a race-day or competition mental plan
Mental skills training is individualized and integrated into your training routine so these strategies become part of your performance preparation.
Team and Group Sport Psychology
Working with teams or groups allows athletes to build psychological skills together while strengthening communication and team dynamics.
Team sessions may focus on topics such as:
- improving communication and trust
- developing leadership skills
- clarifying team values and culture
- managing pressure and expectations
- strengthening collective resilience
Sessions are customized based on the needs of the team or organization.
Workshops and Educational Presentations
Educational workshops and presentations are available for athletes, coaches, and sport organizations.
Common topics include:
- mental health in sport
- identifying and addressing eating disorders in athletes
- performance anxiety and pressure
- burnout prevention
- sleep, recovery, and performance
- building psychologically healthy training environments
Workshops can be tailored to athletic departments, clubs, teams, and sport organizations.
Specialty Services
Eating Disorder in Sport Consultation
Our team of providers provide consultation for sport organizations and healthcare professionals seeking guidance around eating disorders in sport.
Consultation services may include:
- development of organizational protocols
- multidisciplinary case consultation
- education for coaches and sport staff
- guidance for identifying and responding to eating disorder concerns
Sleep, Rest, and Performance
Sleep and recovery are essential for both mental health and athletic performance.
These sessions focus on addressing:
- behavioral factors affecting sleep
- psychological barriers to rest and recovery
- training schedules that interfere with sleep
- evidence-based strategies to improve sleep quality
Sessions are available for individuals, teams, or sport personnel interested in learning the science of sleep and performance.
Our Approach and Experience
For more than 20 years, we have supported athletes and high performers across a range of competitive levels.
Our work integrates both clinical psychology and sport psychology, allowing us to address mental health concerns while also developing the psychological skills necessary for high-level performance.
This combined approach helps athletes not only perform at their best but also maintain a healthier and more sustainable relationship with their sport and themselves.
Common Questions About Sport Psychology
What if my struggles aren’t “serious enough” for therapy?
Many athletes assume they need to be in crisis before seeking support. In reality, sport psychology services can benefit anyone who wants to better understand their mindset, effectively manage pressure, and strengthen their mental approach to competition.
You do not need to be struggling severely to benefit from this work.
Does working with a sport psychologist mean something is wrong with me?
Not at all. Many elite athletes regularly work with sport psychologists as part of their training process. Psychological skills training is simply another way to support performance and well-being.
Do you offer virtual sessions?
Yes. We provide both in-person and virtual sessions for athletes located in select states. Telehealth sessions are secure, convenient, and allow many athletes to integrate support more easily into their training schedules.
Take the First Step Toward Stronger Mental Performance
If you feel overwhelmed by the pressures of sport—or if you want to strengthen your mental approach to training and competition—you do not have to navigate these challenges alone.
We invite you to schedule a free consultation call to discuss what you are experiencing and how sport psychology services may help.
Together, we can develop a plan that supports both your mental health and your performance goals.
Reach out today to get started.
Recent Posts
Real Fuel Podcast: Athlete Specific Eating Disorder Care
Explore athlete-specific eating disorder treatment with Dr. Riley Nickols as he talks with the Real Fuel with SLS podcast.
Pure Athlete Podcast: Support for Athletes with Eating Disorders
Expert advice from a sport psychologist and dietitian on supporting athletes with eating disorders, performance anxiety, and mental health challenges.
Athletes, Mental Health and REDs
Riley Nickols, PhD and Rebecca McConville of Mind, Body, Endurance, were both featured on the Eat for Endurance; Nutrition Strategies for Health and Performance podcast with Board-Certified Sports Dietitian (MS RD CSSD) Claire Shorenstein.
16 N Gore Ave Suite 204,
St. Louis, MO 63119


