In the Trenches

Sport and Competition

Beyond Inclusion: Liberating LGBTQ+ Athletes

Tess M. Kilwein PhD, ABPP, CMPC on April 7, 2026

LGBTQ+ athletes deserve more than inclusion. Liberation and celebration in sport unlock both well-being and performance.

LGBTQ+ athletes deserve more than inclusion. Liberation and celebration in sport unlock both well-being and performance.

Sport and Competition

What the US Hockey Controversy Reveals About Gender Inequity

Tess M. Kilwein PhD, ABPP, CMPC on March 10, 2026

A viral US hockey controversy sparked debate about sexism in sport. But focusing on one moment distracts from the deeper gender inequities that many women athletes still face.

A viral US hockey controversy sparked debate about sexism in sport. But focusing on one moment distracts from the deeper gender inequities that many women athletes still face.

Suicide

When Grief Enters the Locker Room

Tess M. Kilwein PhD, ABPP, CMPC on January 22, 2026

An athlete suicide survivor and expert in adolescent mental health discuss what athletes, clinicians, and organizations need to understand when grief disrupt sport environments.

An athlete suicide survivor and expert in adolescent mental health discuss what athletes, clinicians, and organizations need to understand when grief disrupt sport environments.

Identity

What "Heated Rivalry" Reveals About Being Queer in Sport

Tess M. Kilwein PhD, ABPP, CMPC on December 31, 2025

A sport psychologist examines how the TV show 'Heated Rivalry' exposes the real mental health costs that queer athletes carry in high-performance sport cultures.

A sport psychologist examines how the TV show 'Heated Rivalry' exposes the real mental health costs that queer athletes carry in high-performance sport cultures.

Suicide

Why Athletes Continue to Die by Suicide

Tess M. Kilwein PhD, ABPP, CMPC on December 10, 2025

Suicide among athletes remains a painful reality despite growing awareness. A clinical and sport psychologist examines what systems can do differently to better protect athletes.

Suicide among athletes remains a painful reality despite growing awareness. A clinical and sport psychologist examines what systems can do differently to better protect athletes.

Sport and Competition

How to Support Ambitious Athletes During the Holidays

Tess M. Kilwein PhD, ABPP, CMPC on November 26, 2025

Holidays can create pressure for athletes by disrupting routines and increasing stress. Learn how to support rest, identity, and well-being during this demanding season.

Holidays can create pressure for athletes by disrupting routines and increasing stress. Learn how to support rest, identity, and well-being during this demanding season.

Sport and Competition

We Need to Talk About Who Sports Psychology Still Misses

Tess M. Kilwein PhD, ABPP, CMPC on November 8, 2025

Marshawn Kneeland's death highlights ongoing inequities in athlete mental health. Sport psychology must expand to reach marginalized athletes through inclusive, proactive care.

Marshawn Kneeland's death highlights ongoing inequities in athlete mental health. Sport psychology must expand to reach marginalized athletes through inclusive, proactive care.

Confidence

How Embracing Vulnerability Redefines Strength

Tess M. Kilwein PhD, ABPP, CMPC on October 31, 2025

Deion Sanders opens up about redefining strength, showing how confidence, vulnerability, and authenticity fuel health and well-being.

Deion Sanders opens up about redefining strength, showing how confidence, vulnerability, and authenticity fuel health and well-being.

Sport and Competition

Why Inclusive Sports Environments Build Better Teams

Tess M. Kilwein PhD, ABPP, CMPC on September 25, 2025

Inclusive sports don’t just create safer spaces, they build stronger teams. Here’s how the Nashville Peacocks proved it on the national stage.

Inclusive sports don’t just create safer spaces, they build stronger teams. Here’s how the Nashville Peacocks proved it on the national stage.

Sport and Competition

Male NFL Cheerleaders Are More Than a Sideshow

Tess M. Kilwein PhD, ABPP, CMPC on August 21, 2025

Male cheerleaders are back in the NFL, and the debate is less about athletic ability and more about masculinity, media, and mental health. Here’s why it matters.

Male cheerleaders are back in the NFL, and the debate is less about athletic ability and more about masculinity, media, and mental health. Here’s why it matters.

Transgender

The Psychological Impact of Anti-Trans Policies in Sports

Tess M. Kilwein PhD, ABPP, CMPC on July 28, 2025

Anti-trans sports policies harm the mental health of children and adults alike. Here's what we can do to build safer, more inclusive spaces for transgender and gender diverse athletes.

Anti-trans sports policies harm the mental health of children and adults alike. Here's what we can do to build safer, more inclusive spaces for transgender and gender diverse athletes.

Sport and Competition

Mental Strength Makes the Difference at Wimbledon 2025

Tess M. Kilwein PhD, ABPP, CMPC on July 6, 2025

Wimbledon 2025 demonstrates why mindset matters. Top seeds fall, mental coaching rises, and resilience—not ranking—wins matches.

Wimbledon 2025 demonstrates why mindset matters. Top seeds fall, mental coaching rises, and resilience—not ranking—wins matches.

Sport and Competition

Why Athletes Do (and Don't) Report Abuse in Sports

Tess M. Kilwein PhD, ABPP, CMPC on June 13, 2025

Athletes often stay silent about abuse due to fear, power dynamics, and disbelief. This post explores why they don’t report and how to create safe pathways to disclosure.

Athletes often stay silent about abuse due to fear, power dynamics, and disbelief. This post explores why they don’t report and how to create safe pathways to disclosure.

Sport and Competition

A Day With #WeRideTogether

Tess M. Kilwein PhD, ABPP, CMPC on May 30, 2025

#WeRideTogether is redefining safety in sport by centering survivor stories, challenging power structures, and calling for urgent, trauma-informed reform to end sexual abuse.

#WeRideTogether is redefining safety in sport by centering survivor stories, challenging power structures, and calling for urgent, trauma-informed reform to end sexual abuse.

Mental Health Stigma

The Human Behind the Athlete

Tess M. Kilwein PhD, ABPP, CMPC on April 30, 2025

The story behind the Kevin Love Fund's Athlete Mental Health Program—a free program reshaping athlete mental health through vulnerability, identity, and connection.

The story behind the Kevin Love Fund's Athlete Mental Health Program—a free program reshaping athlete mental health through vulnerability, identity, and connection.

Gender

Supporting Transgender and Gender Expansive People

Tess M. Kilwein PhD, ABPP, CMPC on April 16, 2025

Championing safety for all identities in today’s uncertain world.

Championing safety for all identities in today’s uncertain world.

Body Image

Navigating Body Image and Exercise

Tess M. Kilwein PhD, ABPP, CMPC on March 21, 2025

Transitioning out of sports can impact an athlete's relationship with their body, fitness, and self-worth. Learn how to navigate this transition in a healthy, sustainable way.

Transitioning out of sports can impact an athlete's relationship with their body, fitness, and self-worth. Learn how to navigate this transition in a healthy, sustainable way.

Sport and Competition

What "Ted Lasso" Can Teach Us About Athlete Mental Health

Tess M. Kilwein PhD, ABPP, CMPC on February 16, 2025

"Ted Lasso" sheds light on athlete mental health, from relationships and identity struggles to trauma and systemic pressures, offering valuable lessons for supporting athletes.

"Ted Lasso" sheds light on athlete mental health, from relationships and identity struggles to trauma and systemic pressures, offering valuable lessons for supporting athletes.

Resilience

Bouncing Back: Overcoming Major Loss in Sports

Tess M. Kilwein PhD, ABPP, CMPC on February 10, 2025

Athletes don’t have to be defined by major losses in sports. Learn how top athletes process and recover, stay motivated, and build resilience to come back stronger than ever.

Athletes don’t have to be defined by major losses in sports. Learn how top athletes process and recover, stay motivated, and build resilience to come back stronger than ever.

Sport and Competition

The Changing Landscape of College Athlete Mental Health

Tess M. Kilwein PhD, ABPP, CMPC on January 29, 2025

Changes in college athletics, including the NCAA transfer portal, NIL opportunities, roster limits, and expanded seasons, have created a new landscape for students' mental health.

Changes in college athletics, including the NCAA transfer portal, NIL opportunities, roster limits, and expanded seasons, have created a new landscape for students' mental health.