Mental Health Services for Athletes
Rise above mental illness. Take charge of mental wellness.
A Preeminent Leader in Mental Health Care for Athletes
Mental health is your greatest asset in the pursuit of excellence. That is why Athlete Insight specializes in athlete mental health services and strives to break the stigma around mental illness, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, perfectionism, relationship issues, self-esteem concerns, and trauma.
Why Athlete Insight?
Holistic Approach: We are trained and experienced clinicians who treat a variety of mental health conditions. We recognize that athletes face unique challenges that show up both in and outside of sport. In fact, your performance anxiety may be rooted in a mental health problem and we are here to help you sort through it all.
Expertise & Experience: Our team is comprised of sport psychologists, sport psychiatrists, and mental health professionals who are skilled in providing compassionate and informed care for athletes dealing with various mental health concerns.
Safe Space: Athlete Insight provides a confidential and judgment-free space for athletes to express themselves, seek help, and embark on a journey towards mental well-being. We welcome all individuals and offer inclusive services to athletes of all identities. You are most welcome to show up as your authentic self and can trust that your safety is our top priority.
Specialized Services: Athlete counseling and sports therapy designed for athletes by athletes.
Strength-based and Skills-driven: Our program builds upon your strengths to create a therapy approach to support you as an individual. As athletes ourselves, we know that developing news skills and having accountability for behavioral change are critical aspects of improvement. That’s why, at Athlete Insight, you get therapist who will coach you towards mental health.
What Sets Us Apart?
Proven-success: We have supported countless professional, Olympic, Paralympic, collegiate, youth, and masters athletes. No two athletes are alike - and we help each athlete cultivate their own path toward mental wellness.
Whether online or in person, we are here to help you break free and improve your mental health today!
Do you wonder how your mental health impacts your athletic performance?
Do you find yourself wanting to work on your mental health but are not sure how?
Are you looking for effective strategies to improve your mental health?
Are you ready to talk to someone?
If so, let’s chat. Schedule a complimentary discovery call today - no strings attached - we will explore what is going on in your mind and consider the goodness of fit between your needs & our services.
Team up with Athlete Insight today - Where Mental Health Fuels Athletic Excellence.
Stop mental health challenges from continuing to negatively impact you - take your first step in health, healing, and mental strength by booking now.
FAQs
Is it common for athletes to experience mental health struggles?
Yes! We live in a world that believes athletes are super-humans who are immune to mental illness. However, the truth is that mental illness does not discriminate and impacts athletes of all sports and identities. Additionally, athletes can’t just choose to stop having mental illness just like they cannot choose to not have a broken bone.
What resources are available for mental health support in sports?
Mental health resources include therapy, counseling, support groups, and medications. At Athlete Insight, we offer performance enhancement services, therapy, EMDR, and medication management.
How do I know if I actually need professional help?
Like a physical injury, mental illness requires consistent effort and, frequently, treatment to achieve healing. Typically, it doesn’t just go away on it’s own. Sometimes, athletes need professional support to learn how to manage their symptoms and rewire their brain to support mental wellness. If you have been trying to manage your mental health on your own but feel like your symptoms are staying the same or getting worse, we encourage you to speak with a mental health professional to explore how they can help you restore your mental health.
Jason Cardoso, LPCC
In-person & telehealth services
Athletes can face numerous mental health challenges, including anxiety and stress over the pressure to perform, the psychological and emotional strain of injuries, and feelings of loneliness and disconnection from peers and loved ones due to the demands of their sport. These feelings are natural, but you don’t have to struggle alone. We can work together to help you navigate life’s challenges, support your well-being, and thrive in and out of competition.
As a Somatic Psychotherapist, I work at the intersection of neuroscience, embodiment, and mindfulness. Through the lens of somatic psychotherapy, I explore how physical and emotional trauma are held within both body and mind, and work with a variety of approaches, including Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Brainspotting and HeartMath Biofeedback, to support nervous system regulation, emotional regulation, enhanced athletic performance, and resilience.
Described as having a warm attuned presence, I take a client-centered, trauma-sensitive approach to therapy, working relationally and somatically to support client growth and healing. Developments within the field of neurophysiology provide evidence to support the deep connection between body and mind that can be expressed in stress, anxiety, PTSD, depression, immune system dysfunction, and even our relationships. I believe that through the healing power of embodied self-awareness, we each have an opportunity to return more fully to ourselves, recover from past traumas, and reach our highest athletic potential.
My passion for working with athletes began in my early years as a USSCA (United States Ski Coaches Association) level 1 coach, coaching a junior alpine ski team competing in USSA events throughout the Midwest. Having raced the technical disciplines as a junior, I loved sharing my love for the sport and supporting young athletes in honing their skills. As a lifelong skier, I’ve been a certified alpine ski instructor for over 30 years, and up until recently, I still competed in adult-league / Master’s competitions. Competitive skiing is a sport that demands both physical and mental discipline. For elite athletes, the ability to regulate emotions, calm the mind, and find focus and flow can make all the difference in their success on the course. For others, the goal might be as simple as overcoming fears towards taking on more challenging terrain.
Experience: Before pursuing graduate work in clinical counseling, I earned a master’s degree in education and built an extensive career in higher education and as a training consultant. My own healing journey through mind-body practices ultimately led me to Naropa University in Boulder Colorado where I obtained an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Somatic Counseling / Body Psychotherapy. For the past three years, I’ve worked extensively with clients to address chronic stress, PTSD/C-PTSD, emotional disturbances, distress tolerance, dissociation, anxiety, depression, life transitions, men’s issues, and relationship challenges.
License
Colorado
Specialties
Anxiety, depression, trauma, anger management, dissociation, life transitions, men’s issues, relationship challenges, neurodiversity-affirming care
Populations
Adolescents (12+ yo), Adults
Tierra Shumpert, LPCC
In-person & telehealth services
Sometimes it can be difficult to ask for help when we are struggling. Athletes are accustomed to training their bodies to be in optimal shape to perform to the best of their abilities in their sport. They are used to seeking out doctors and trainers to assist them with rehabilitation after an injury. However, mental training and preparation as well as receiving professional support when mental and emotional struggles arise is often less familiar.
I work with clients to identify their goals athletically as well as in other aspects of their life and the barriers that might exist in achieving those goals. In collaboration with the client, I create a treatment plan for therapy tailored to their specific experiences and needs in order to help them reach their goals.
I value the therapeutic relationship with each client. I aim to create a welcoming, nonjudgmental space where clients feel comfortable opening up about their mental and emotional needs and trust that we can work together to help them improve their quality of life and sport performance.
My passion for working with athletes stemmed from my experience as an athlete. I participated in basketball, track, and gymnastics during my youth and earned a Division 1 scholarship to the University of Vermont to play college basketball. Those experiences allowed me to understand how caring for your mental health is equally as important as your physical health for athletes.
Experience: I earned a Master’s degree in clinical psychology from the PGSP-Stanford Psy.D. Consortium and will be completing my doctorate in clinical psychology. I have worked with adolescents and adults individually and in groups in various settings including community mental health centers, hospitals, college counseling centers, and walk-in crisis centers. I have a specific passion for working with athletes. I have had the opportunity to work with collegiate athletes individually, to work with teams as a group, to consult with coaches regarding mental health, and to do informational presentations to athletes and coaches about mental health topics. My graduate research focused on barriers to mental health treatment for athletes and ways in which those barriers can be overcome so that athletes have access to the resources and support they need.
My involvement in sports presently includes coaching high school basketball. When I am not tending to daily responsibilities, you will find me spending time outdoors with my dog, travelling, reading, and occasionally finding a new show or movie to capture my attention.
License
Colorado
Specialties
Anxiety, depression, trauma
Populations
Children (10+ yo), Adolescents, Adults
Kate Bennett, PsyD
In-person & telehealth services
Athletes are “supposed” to be mentally tough; however, the truth is that athletes are humans first. As a person, you experience all of the same stress as your non-athlete peers in addition to ALL of the stressors that sport & competition brings along. You might struggle to acknowledge that your mind might not be “tough enough” to handle all of that pressure. I am here to say, it is okay. You can ask for help. In fact, you become stronger and tougher when you know how to effectively manage your headspace.
I meet all athletes exactly where they are at, as humans first. Together, we identify goals that goals will restore your health in addition to support your relationship with food, your body and exercise. Working with me means that you get both a therapist and a coach. My goal is to provide the “right-for-you” tools, strategies, and insights to help you reclaim your physical and mental health. As an action-oriented therapist, my goal is to work myself out of a job by helping you to create meaningful and lasting change in your life.
Experience: I am a clinical sport psychologist, licensed in the state of Colorado. I earned my BS in kinesiology and athletic training from Indiana University and my EdM in counseling and sport psychology from Boston University. My passion for the connection between the mental and physical health of athletes prompted me to return to graduate school at the University of the Rockies. I completed my practicum at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs Counseling Center and my pre-doctoral internship at the Western Washington University Counseling Center. I then completed my post-doctoral fellowship at EDCare.
I am a specialist in the treatment of athletes recovering from eating disorders and have presented at numerous national conferences on topics related to athletes and eating disorders, published both a book and book chapter on the topic, and have spoken on many podcasts to help create awareness of the prevalence of eating disorders among athletes.
I spend much of my time with my partner and two children. I embrace every opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of Colorado by mountain biking, paddle boarding, hiking, and attending sporting events.
License
Colorado
Populations
Adolescents (14+ yo), Adults
Kelsey Motley, LPCC
Telehealth Services Only
As a counselor, I have observed that clients are caught in a cycle of overwhelm and uncertainty when they contemplate the idea of starting therapy. Doubts about its effectiveness, coupled with misconceptions that counseling solely involves talk therapy, create a substantial obstacle to clients taking the crucial step toward seeking the assistance they truly deserve.
To address these challenges, I adopted a multifaceted approach to encourage individuals to overcome their initial hesitations. I offer educational resources and transparently explain the different therapeutic modalities available beyond talk therapy, showcasing the breadth of options that might align with individual preferences and needs.
I notice that many individuals begin to experience a reduction in their feelings of overwhelm and uncertainty as they gain a clearer understanding of the various therapeutic approaches available. This, in turn, leads to an increased willingness to engage in therapy and a greater likelihood of experiencing positive outcomes. By addressing the initial barriers, I empower clients to approach therapy with an open mind, fostering a smoother and more productive therapeutic journey.
Experience: I earned my masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Colorado Christian University in addition to my BS in Interdisciplinary Studies. Before grad school, I pursued holistic healing and became a business owner. I tailored services to the needs of my clients from all different backgrounds with the use of yoga, mindfulness and self-care. My passion for the connection between the mind, body, and spirit prompted me to return to graduate school.
A bit about me. I find that there's something incredibly liberating about hitting the road with everything I need packed into a cozy, mobile home. The simplicity of having van, surrounded by nature and changing scenery, allows me to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily life. I find peace in waking up to breathtaking views, the sound of birdsong, and the fresh air that comes with each new destination. Whether it's watching sunsets from the comfort of my van or sharing stories with fellow travelers around a campfire, van life encapsulates a unique blend of adventure and tranquility that truly puts my mind at ease. While exploring the mountains, I like to engage in dirt biking, mountain biking, hiking, running, climbing, one wheeling, and slack-lining.
Licensed Professional Counseling Candidate
Colorado
Populations
Children (10+), Adolescents, Adults
Amy Laurent, MD
In-person & telehealth services
The idea of taking medications to manage your headspace can be scary to think about. Perhaps you think you need to “tough it out” or find yourself staying busy all the time to avoid those unwanted symptoms that make it unbearable to hangout alone in your head.
I am here to help! Taking meds does not need to be scary or shameful. The truth is, there are some aspects of our brains that we simply cannot control. But, meds can help manage those unwanted symptoms. Not because you are weak. Not because you haven’t tried hard enough. Simply, because, you have no control over your brain chemistry.
At Athlete Insight, I offer psychiatric care to athletes recovering from eating disorders in an outpatient setting. I take a collaborative approach with my clients, working alongside them and other members of their team to empower them in leading their healthiest and most balanced lives. As a psychiatrist, I prescribe medication thoughtfully, considering the unique biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to each individual's story. I strongly believe that an athlete's mental health is just as important as their physical well-being, and I view medication management as one of the many tools that can help them achieve optimal performance in a healthy manner. In my leisure time, I enjoy activities such as hiking, running, yoga, reading, and spending quality time with my loved ones.
Experience: I am sport psychiatrist. I completed my undergraduate degree at Loyola University Chicago and medical school at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. During my residency training at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ, I served as the Chief Resident. I am proud to be board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and a member of the American Psychiatric Association. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work in various settings and with diverse populations.
Currently, I am an active member of the International Society for Sports Psychiatry (ISSP) and am working towards additional certification in Sports Psychiatry. I have applied my expertise and understanding of athletes as the former attending psychiatrist of the Athlete EDGE Program at EDCare. In this role, I worked as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide care to elite athletes who are on the path to recovery from eating disorders.
Licenses
Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, and Vermont
Populations
Late Adolescence (16+yo), Adults