Anxiety Therapy for Athletes in Denver, CO
As an athlete in Denver, Colorado, you're no stranger to pushing your physical limits. Whether you're scaling the Rockies, competing in marathons, or playing for one of Denver's professional sports teams, you know the importance of peak physical condition. But what about your mental game?
In the world of sports, anxiety can be your toughest opponent. And it’s quite common too. An estimated 30%-60% of athletes are affected by anxiety. These numbers are also reflected in extreme sport athletes, who report that anxiety can get in the way of achieving flow states.
That’s where I come in. I’m Halle, an anxiety therapist for athletes in Denver, Colorado. I also serve clients across the state of Colorado for online anxiety therapy. Anxiety therapy can give you an advantage over your anxiety. In this post, I’ll cover signs of anxiety in athletes, common reasons for anxiety in athletes, and how anxiety therapy for athletes can help.
Signs of Anxiety in Athletes
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
As an athlete, you’re used to people picturing you as the epitome of strength and confidence. Beneath the surface though, you might be grappling with anxiety that leaves you doubting yourself leading up to major events. Some of these common issues might sound familiar to you:
Pre-Competition Nerves
It's the night before the big game or meet, and your stomach is in knots. Your mind races through every possible scenario, and sleep seems like a distant dream. Pre-competition nerves are a familiar foe 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.
Performance Pressure
The weight of expectations – from coaches, teammates, fans, and often most critically, from your own mind – can create immense performance pressure. This pressure can manifest as anxiety, particularly in high-stakes situations. Whether you're at the free-throw line in a tied game or preparing for an Olympic qualifying event, the fear of not meeting these expectations can shut you down.
Fear of Failure
Closely tied to performance pressure is the fear of failure. You’ve dedicated your life to your sport. The prospect of failing can feel like more than just losing a game – it can feel like a personal defeat. Sports related injuries can get lumped into the fear of failure as well.
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.
Types of Anxiety Therapy for Athletes: Brainspotting and Internal Family Systems in Anxiety Therapy
For athletes looking for anxiety therapy in Denver, you might be wondering which approaches are best for anxiety therapy. Two particularly effective approaches for athletes dealing with anxiety are Brainspotting and Internal Family Systems (IFS).
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 for athletes:
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: Harmonizing the Athletic Mind
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 for athletes:
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.
Wrapping Up: Anxiety Therapy for Athletes in Denver, CO
Anxiety therapy for athletes is not just about addressing problems – it's about unlocking potential, enhancing performance, and fostering overall well-being. The mental game is just as crucial as physical training, and in many cases, it can be the deciding factor between good and great performances.
For athletes in Denver (or elsewhere in Colorado) looking to elevate their game and their life, book a free intro call with me today. I’d love to talk with you about how we can work together. Athletes who work with me tend to respond best to a combination of Brainspotting and Internal Family Systems. Your mind is your most powerful muscle – train it well, and watch as both your athletic performance and personal life flourish.
Hi! I’m Halle, your Anxiety Therapist.
I work with anxious millennial professionals who are fed up with the cycle of overworking and burnout.
If you live in either Colorado or Oregon, I’d love to work with you! Book your free intro call to get started!
