Therapy sessions are currently conducted via Zoom (secure account) and in-person in my Rossland office.
Sports and Athletic Activity Issues
From young sports enthusiasts to seasoned pros, I enjoy working with athletes of all ages. I am a lifelong competitive athlete who has experienced injury, so I have intimate, first-hand knowledge of the unique challenges faced by active individuals.
Unexpected, recurring and performance-compromising (or ending) injuries can have a significant impact on an athlete’s physical and mental health.
Life transitions, such as aging out of our field, athletic career retirement, forced withdrawal and sudden changes to our competitive season can all cause physical, emotional and mental duress.
As athletes, we depend on our strength. We are used to being able to “control” our bodies and minds – it’s how we navigate and manage fear, risk and limit.
When our bodies break down, our minds often follow – or vice versa.
We might experience crippling performance anxiety, which is often linked to perfectionism, lack of self-confidence or a sense that our self-worth and value are dependent upon our achievements. Any of those elements can have an effect – limiting our performance, potential and overall well-being.
Often, we dedicate so much time to our chosen sport that we no longer know who we are without it. It may bring a sense of freedom and possibility, release, inner strength, optimism, happiness, connection to self, others and our environment. And it can become the primary avenue through which we manage stress, anxiety, body image issues, loneliness, anger and depression. The absence of this outlet can lead to a dark place, manifesting in the form of sleep disturbance, depression, anxiety, trauma, grief or substance misuse.
Many athletes refrain from reaching out due to the shame they feel about what they are experiencing. There may be a prevailing belief that they should be able to handle it on their own, or invalidation of their struggles by themselves or others.
While athletic success is largely a product of our personal drive, grit and determination, we also need supporters in our lives to stand behind us so we can rise high. Coaches, family, significant others, fellow athletes and mentors all play important roles in our athletic development.
A “mental coach” is really no different. My job is to guide you in navigating the challenges you face and developing the skills you require for optimal physical, mental and emotional health.
Stress
Stress is defined as anything that causes physical, mental, or emotional tension. We all experience stress to some degree; it is unavoidable. For many, juggling competing responsibilities and obligations of everyday life can cause a buildup of stress. For some it could be a new experience or a sudden and unexpected event. The causes of stress for one person might differ greatly for another.
I have experienced a variety of things in my life that have caused stress, such as single parenting, sports injuries, work environment issues, and family members with terminal illnesses. Sometimes even something as trivial as driving through an airport. I have had to find strategies that enable me to be with the feelings associated with each situation and also manage my experience so that I don’t make things worse for myself.
Sometimes we can change things in our lives that are causing stress, but a lot of the time we can’t. Sometimes the only thing we can change is how we are dealing with, or responding to, the stress. It may not be possible to eliminate all of the negative effects of stress; the goal is to minimize them.
Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety can show up as chronic worry, shallow breathing, muscle tension, scattered thoughts, worst-case scenario thinking, disturbing images, and generalized fear that has no cause. Depression often feels like that heavy, dark space of no mental, emotional, or physical energy.
Anxiety and depression do not always go together, though it is common for them to coexist. Anxiety might lead to depression in a similar way that engaging in any high energy output activity for days with little to no rest would cause exhaustion or burnout. We need rest in order to restore and build energy. When that doesn’t happen the body’s resources can dry up and leave us in a state of numbness or shut down. These extremes often cause distressing disruption in our lives, such as impairing our ability to carry out everyday tasks and causing distance in relationships.
Whether the primary problem is anxiety or depression, it can feel impossible to change. I know, through personal and professional experience, that with support, openness to a new way of being, and commitment, we can move past our challenges and live a full and rewarding life.
Grief and Loss
Grief is the experience associated with loss. We can experience grief related to a wide variety of losses including the death of a person or pet, termination of a job, end of a relationship, children leaving home, and deterioration of a physical or mental ability. It can leave us unsure of who we are or what to do next with our lives. Our whole belief system about the meaning and purpose of life may be thrown into question. We can feel scattered and directionless.
Grief can leave us grasping for a sense of certainty or numb, despairing and alone. However it shows up, grief is a very normal response to the experience of loss and begs to be attended to. Though we may feel broken, there are ways to be with the pain and regain a sense of connection to ourselves, others, and life.
Trauma
We experience trauma when something overwhelms us and our ability to cope is compromised. Just like with stress, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, the causes of trauma are varied and unique to each individual. Trauma can be related to a single event or something ongoing that has been causing distress. Identifying an experience of trauma has more to do with how we respond than the specific event(s).
How we cope with the experience of trauma is also unique – it may be alcohol and/or drug use, avoidance of anything that reminds us of the trauma, over- or under-functioning in certain areas of life, or hypervigilance with the intent to protect ourselves from experiencing the same thing again. We may feel a sense of helplessness, disconnect from ourselves, others, and our environment. There may be a sense of hopelessness in which a distorted perspective of oneself and life can evolve. Even though we can’t change whatever has caused the trauma, through accessing the healthy part of our mind and body, long-term healing is entirely possible.
We may find that our usual way of doing things is no longer as effective as it once was. Life is ever-changing – it is normal to outgrow some of the strategies we developed along the way (often in response to particular life conditions and circumstances).
Though we may resist it, we naturally recognize the need to make adjustments and find new ways of being. However, we don’t always know what that looks like or how to get there. Many times, I have needed and relied upon the support of others – including friends, family, counsellors and doctors. They have been invaluable resources in easing my struggles and helping me make progress in my overall healing. I have learned that our physical, emotional and mental health are tightly interwoven, each dependent on the other. I owe it to myself to do what I can to keep each part healthy, and I want to help you do the same.
I look forward to working with you. Contact me to book an appointment or find out more.