5 Myths About Mental Health Therapy for Athletes (Debunked)
Going into therapy for the first time as an athlete can leave you with a lot of questions! Maybe you don’t know what to expect, or maybe you’ve only seen it on TV where someone's lying on a couch talking about their childhood.
There also might be some bias in the sports community that athletes shouldn’t need therapy, that they should be mentally tough without any of their own challenges. Well, my name’s Emma, I’m an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker that works with athletes and their mental health every day at RYSE Wellbeing. I’m happy to clear up some of the myths you might’ve been fed!
Myth 1: Therapy is only for athletes in crisis
Therapy doesn't need things to get worse first. Most athletes I see aren't at rock bottom, they're anxious in competition, replaying mistakes for days, or not feeling excited about a sport they used to love.
Myth 2: Needing therapy means you're mentally weak
Coping well and needing support aren't opposites. The athletes who "handle everything alone" are usually the ones burning the most energy just to keep it together. Every elite performer has a team behind them.
Myth 3: Seeing a therapist will make coaches question you
Therapy is confidential. Your coach, club, and teammates don't find out unless you tell them, and nothing is shared without your consent. Increasingly, coaches see athletes doing this work the same way they see strength and conditioning: as an integral part of their training, not a red flag.
*The only time we may have to go outside of your confidentiality is if you’re at risk of hurting yourself, someone else, or a child is at risk of being harmed.
Myth 4: Therapy has nothing to do with sport
Generic therapy might not, but therapy with a clinician who understands sport does. Working with someone trained in athlete mental health and performance means your performance anxiety, coach relationships, injuries, and identity as an athlete are the focus without having to explain sport and athletics first.
Myth 5: You should be able to fix it with mindset work
If routines, journaling, and mindset content haven't fixed it, that's not a YOU problem. These tools can be great resources to support your performance. When the same anxiety or self-criticism keeps coming back, there’s probably something deeper going on, and that’s what the therapy can help you work through!
So, is therapy for you as an athlete?
Therapy is for you if:
✔️ You're not at rock bottom, but you’re tired of pushing through every game or competition feeling anxious, burned out, and overwhelmed.
✔️ Your results look fine on paper, but you still feel shitty.
✔️ You're not in crisis, you'd just like to actually enjoy the sport you've given this much of your life to.
✔️ You've handled everything alone up to now, and you're not sure what kind of support you need.
✔️ You're ready to invest in the athlete (and person) you're becoming.
None of these require things to get worse first.
💌 I'm Emma, an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker who works with high-achieving athletes in-person in Melbourne and online Australia-wide. Book your free 15-minute intro call here.
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