Therapy For Athletes in San Francisco + Marin county, CA
Athletes are often perceived as strong, confident individuals who excel under pressure.
The reality is that many athletes grapple with anxiety, pressure to perform, scrutiny from others, career dissatisfaction, setbacks from injuries, and even harassment or abuse throughout their athletic journeys (Reardon, Gorczynski, Hainline, Hitchcock, Rice, 2024).
Anxiety and Injury in Athletes
These challenges can manifest in various forms of anxiety throughout our stages of life. For those who have experienced a major injury, it can feel like the entire world has turned upside down.
Even in the absence of injury, competitive sports environments can be intense and demanding, triggering anxiety at different stages, from training and practice to getting to the starting line of a race or competitive event. This anxiety can stem from the pressure to perform consistently, fear of failure or injury, or the expectation of meeting (and fear of not measuring up to) personal and team goals.
For those who identify as an athlete, and for those who simply love the outdoors, the anticipation and stakes of building a lifestyle around being highly active can lead to heightened anxiety.
Heightened Stress on the Body
While many active folks consider physical activity to be the element that keeps them fit and happy, physical signs of heightened stress on the body can include fluctuations in heart rate or heart palpitations, GI distress, inconsistent sleep, muscle tension and tightness that can trigger new fears, and even panic attacks.
These physiological responses are the body's natural reaction to stress, but can affect performance and overall well-being if not managed effectively.
Whether it’s prepping for a long run, or getting ready for a day of cycling, climbing, swimming, or a longer backpacking trip with friends, anxiety in active folks can also impact their mental game.
Overthinking in Athletes
Overthinking plays a significant role, with athletes often dwelling on past mistakes or worrying excessively about future outcomes. This cognitive burden can cloud concentration, disrupt focus, and undermine confidence which can affect performance in critical moments. From my years playing basketball, water polo, and as a swimmer, I know how much a negative or fear-based mindset can impact the performance of the entire team.
Social Anxiety and Perfectionism in Athletes
Active folks can also experience social anxiety among peers or in thinking about new opportunities for cross-training, feeling pressure to fit in or meet expectations.
Perfectionism can set in at the thought of being at the back of the pack or of being perceived as slowing everyone else down. This social dimension of anxiety can further complicate our overall experience and sense of belonging in the community.
Many athletes refuse to try something new until they feel “good enough” to show up. The solitude of a demanding training block can also amplify feelings of vulnerability and isolation and can negatively impact our relationships, which can be detrimental to our mental health.
The Impact of Fear
As a trail runner, I’m familiar with the impact of fear and anxiety.
The pressure to stay focused and consistent through various technical terrains, maintain stamina over long distances, and surpass previous achievements can intensify stress and self-doubt.
Overthinking trail conditions, pacing and fueling strategies, and how competitors are holding up at any given moment can consume valuable mental energy and detract from the enjoyment of the experience. The demanding nature of maintaining a highly active lifestyle, juggling training schedules, recovery routines, and daily responsibilities, can contribute to stress and overwhelm.
Balancing physical exertion with adequate rest and recovery is crucial for optimal performance and for reducing the risk of injury, yet perfectionism or fear of falling short can intensify anxiety.
Performing at Your Best
Recognizing and addressing anxiety is crucial for active folks to perform at their best and maintain mental resilience and longevity.
Those who are going through a major injury are managing different stressors and risk of isolation as they recover. Whether or not you identify as an athlete, I can support you in exploring and managing your anxiety, developing effective coping strategies, strengthening your mindset through mindfulness and visualization, and fostering a healthier relationship with your sport.
Reardon CL, Gorczynski P, Hainline B, Hitchcock M, Rice S. Anxiety Disorders in Athletes. Clin Sports Med. 2024 Jan;43(1):33-52. doi: 10.1016/j.csm.2023.06.002. Epub 2023 Jul 11. PMID: 37949513.)
Frequently Asked Questions
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Therapy with me is a collaborative and compassionate process. I work with adults and teens who identify as highly sensitive, introspective, or creative. Many of my clients struggle with feeling overstimulated, anxious, or disconnected from themselves or others. Our sessions are designed to help you understand your emotional patterns, heal from past trauma, and reconnect with your authentic self.
I integrate approaches such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), art therapy, somatic awareness, and, when appropriate, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. Each session is personalized. There’s no “one-size-fits-all” approach. My goal is to help you feel seen, supported, and empowered to make meaningful changes at your own pace.
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If you find yourself stuck in patterns of overthinking, self-doubt, people-pleasing, or emotional overwhelm, therapy can be a supportive and effective next step. Many of my clients come to therapy because they feel anxious in social settings, struggle with imposter syndrome, or notice that past experiences continue to shape their current relationships and sense of self.
You don’t have to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Sometimes, the most powerful work begins when you’re simply curious about why you feel the way you do and ready to experience life with more ease, clarity, and confidence.
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EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based form of trauma therapy that helps people process and reconsolidate distressing memories and reduce the emotional charge these experiences continue to have in the present. Instead of talking through every detail of a painful experience, EMDR helps the brain reprocess those memories so they no longer feel as activating in the present.
This approach is especially helpful for clients with trauma histories, social anxiety, or chronic self-doubt. Many highly sensitive people (HSPs) find EMDR particularly supportive because it works gently with the nervous system and doesn’t require rehashing painful stories. Over time, clients often report feeling calmer, more grounded, and better able to handle stress and triggers.
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Masking refers to the tendency to hide or suppress parts of yourself, be it your emotions, needs, humor, or authentic personality, in order to fit in, avoid judgment, or stay safe. It’s common among HSPs, trauma survivors, and those with social anxiety or imposter syndrome.
In therapy, we explore where these protective patterns came from and how they’ve helped you survive in the past. We also work to gently unlearn them, so you can show up more authentically in relationships and feel comfortable being yourself without the fear of being “too much” or “not enough.”
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Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) combines the therapeutic effects of ketamine, a fast-acting medication shown to support neuroplasticity and emotional healing, with psychotherapy in a safe, supportive setting.
Clients who engage in KAP often experience breakthroughs in processing long-held emotional pain, trauma, or patterns of depression that have felt resistant to traditional talk therapy. During sessions, you’ll have support before, during, and after your experience to help integrate insights into daily life.
KAP can be especially beneficial for clients experiencing chronic depression, anxiety, or emotional blocks. All KAP sessions are conducted in partnership with a medical provider with attention to eligibility, safety and integration of the experience.
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You don’t need to be an artist to benefit from art therapy. Art therapy uses forms of creative expression like drawing, painting, collage, or other mediums, as a way to access emotions and experiences that may be hard to put into words.
Art therapy helps clients externalize complex feelings, reduce anxiety, and gain insight into unconscious thoughts and patterns. For highly sensitive people and trauma survivors, it can offer a grounding, nonverbal way to explore healing at a pace that feels safe and empowering.
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A Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) is someone with a finely tuned nervous system who processes information and emotions deeply. About 15–20% of people fall into this category, a trait identified by psychologist Dr. Elaine Aron.
HSPs often notice subtleties in their environment, feel deeply affected by others’ moods, and need time to recharge after social or sensory stimulation. In therapy, we work on understanding your sensitivity as a strength, developing tools to regulate overstimulation, set boundaries, and embrace your sensitivity in order to engage meaningfully in your relationships, work, and interests.
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You may benefit from trauma-informed therapy if you:
Experience difficulty regulating your emotions
Feel detached or numb
Experience an exaggerated startle response or experience hypervigilance
Have experienced relationship patterns rooted in fear or shame
Struggle with physical tension, exhaustion, or burnout
Struggle with intrusive memories or avoidance of reminders
Therapy provides a safe space to process these experiences at your own pace. Through approaches like EMDR, somatic awareness, and mindful grounding, you can reestablish a sense of safety, self-trust, and empowerment.
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Yes! This is one of my specialties. Many of my clients struggle with social anxiety, especially those who are highly sensitive, introverted, or creative. We work on understanding the root of these fears, often tied to early experiences of judgment, rejection, or perfectionism.
If you experience imposter syndrome, therapy can help you uncover the underlying beliefs that fuel self-doubt and comparison. Over time, we’ll replace those patterns with self-compassion and authenticity, helping you feel more confident in both professional and personal settings.
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Our first session is about connection and understanding. You’ll have space to share what’s bringing you to therapy, what you’ve tried so far, and what you’d like to change. I’ll ask some gentle questions to learn about your background and goals, and we’ll begin to outline a plan that feels right for you.
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Most clients begin with weekly sessions, which provide enough consistency to create meaningful change towards your initial goals. As therapy progresses and you feel more grounded, we may shift to biweekly sessions.
The length of therapy depends on your goals, history, and pace of healing. Some people see noticeable shifts in a few months, while others choose longer-term therapy for ongoing personal growth and self-understanding.
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Yes. I offer secure online therapy sessions for clients located anywhere in California, North Carolina, and Florida. Many clients appreciate the flexibility and privacy of virtual sessions, especially highly sensitive people who feel more comfortable processing in their own space or have busy work schedules..
Online therapy can be just as effective as in-person sessions, and I use HIPAA-compliant telehealth platforms to ensure your confidentiality and comfort.
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Getting started is simple.
Schedule a free 20-minute consultation to see if we’re a good fit.
If you decide to move forward, I’ll send a secure intake packet to complete before your first session.
We’ll meet for a 60-minute session to begin exploring what’s bringing you to therapy and how I can help.
From there, we’ll create a plan that fits your needs and goals at a pace that honors your sensitivity and your process.
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My areas of focus include:
Anxiety, panic, and overthinking
Social anxiety and imposter syndrome
Trauma and complex PTSD
Highly Sensitive People (HSPs)
Burnout and emotional exhaustion
Creative blocks (artists, writers, musicians)
Life transitions and identity exploration
Integration of psychedelic or ketamine experiences
Each of these challenges is approached with compassion, curiosity, and evidence-based care.
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That’s completely normal, especially for HSPs or those who’ve felt misunderstood in past therapeutic or relational settings. You don’t need to have everything figured out before you start.
Therapy is a space where it’s safe to not know, to explore, and to take things one step at a time. My approach is gentle, supportive, and rooted in building trust. Over time, you’ll likely find yourself feeling more grounded, self-aware, and confident in navigating life’s challenges.
Ready to Get Started with Therapy?
Begin by booking a complementary 20-minute consultation. This is a chance for you to ask any questions and for me to learn more about what’s bringing you to therapy.
If we’re a good fit, we’ll schedule your first 60-minute session. Before we meet, I’ll send you an electronic intake packet to complete at your convenience. During our initial session, you’ll have space to share more about your goals, challenges, and what you hope to gain from therapy.
From there, we can set up ongoing weekly sessions. The length of your therapy journey will depend on your individual needs and goals. Together, we’ll create a pace that feels right for you..