ANXIETY IN ATHLETES: SPORTS ANXIETY THERAPY
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health challenges athletes face, and one of the most under-addressed. If your nerves are getting in the way of performing the way you know you can, that is worth working on.
— WHAT ANXIETY LOOKS LIKE
What Anxiety in Athletes Actually Looks Like
Anxiety does not always look like a panic attack. In athletes, it often shows up more quietly:
Dreading game day even when you have put in the work
Overthinking plays or shots in real time
Not taking shots you normally take because something feels off
A tight chest, upset stomach, or racing thoughts before a game
Performing well in practice but freezing in competition
These experiences are real, and they are addressable. The goal is not to eliminate nerves entirely. It is to change your relationship with them so they stop running the show.
— PRE-GAME ANXIETY
PRE-GAME ANXIETY
Pre-game anxiety is incredibly common, especially among high school and college athletes. The anticipation of competition can trigger the same stress response as an actual threat, and for some athletes, that response does not settle by tip-off.
Dr. Ayodeji works with athletes to develop pre-game routines that help regulate the nervous system, manage their internal dialogue, and walk into competition with a clearer head.
— IN-GAME ANXIETY
In-Game Anxiety and Performance Blocks
Some athletes experience anxiety during competition itself. A missed shot can spiral into hesitation. A mistake in the first quarter can set the mental tone for the rest of the game. In-game anxiety can look like reluctance, second-guessing, or a sudden performance drop.
These patterns can be changed. It takes time and consistent work, but athletes learn how to reset and stay present rather than spiraling. If anxiety is showing up alongside a longer loss of motivation or drive, that can sometimes point toward depression in athletes.
— WHO THIS IS FOR
WHO THIS IS FOR
Individual sport athletes, including those who play tennis, swim, run track, or dive, are especially welcome here. These athletes carry the weight of the game entirely on their own, without a teammate to lean on when things get hard. That is a different kind of pressure, and the approach reflects it.
Dr. Ayodeji has a specific focus on individual sport athletes for this reason. The mental load is different, and the approach reflects that.
— Insurance
COVERED BY INSURANCE
Athletes who compete in individual sports like tennis, swimming, track, or diving often carry a heavier anxiety load than team sport athletes. There is no one to pass the ball to when things get hard. No teammate to pick you up. The results live entirely with you.
Sessions are available in person in West Hartford or virtually anywhere in Connecticut.
Insurance accepted:
ANTHEM
CIGNA
UNITED HEALTHCARE
— Get Started
ANXIETY DOES NOT HAVE HOLD YOU BACK
Start with a free consultation. No commitment, no pressure. Just a conversation about what
you are dealing with and what working together could look like.