Sports Anxiety & Performance Therapy for Student Athletes

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Sports can play an important role in a teen’s physical, emotional, and social development. Athletics can help young people build confidence, learn teamwork and discipline, develop friendships, manage stress, and experience the rewards of working toward goals. For many teens, sports also provide a sense of belonging and identity.

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At the same time, the pressure to perform can sometimes lead to sports performance anxiety—the worry, fear, or pressure an athlete may experience before or during practices, games, competitions, or performances. This can come from wanting to perform well, fear of making mistakes, pressure from coaches or parents, competition, or high expectations placed on themselves. Anxiety may show up as overthinking, self-doubt, difficulty focusing, physical tension, or fear of failure.

 

Some nervousness is a normal part of competition, but sports anxiety can become a concern when it begins to affect an athlete’s confidence, performance, enjoyment, or overall well-being.

 

Supporting the whole athlete—not just their performance—can help teens develop a healthier relationship with sports while learning to manage pressure and challenges both on and off the field.