Sports Performance Therapists in Nashville, TN

I appreciate you reaching out. If you have recognized a need to change or feel trapped, let’s get started. I treat most conditions but specialize in perfectionism, people-pleasers, high achievers, athletes, and those in creative industries. We'll balance respecting the seriousness and vulnerability of the topics being discussed with humility, perspective-taking, and humor. While I acknowledge the benefits of emotional processing and frequently include this practice when appropriate, my ideal client is proactive and action-oriented. Simply put, I hope we laugh while accomplishing your goals.

Accepting New Clients. Athletes and professionals often face unique mental challenges, including performance anxiety, focus fluctuations, self-doubt, and the stress of constant high expectations. Engaging in therapy is a brave step toward mastering these issues. With guidance and working with Aaron, you'll develop tailored strategies to bolster your mental agility and confidence. This personalized support aims to improve not only your performance but also your overall well-being, enabling you to thrive under pressure and succeed in high-stakes environments.

I am located at Nashville Neuro Psychiatric Associates near Music Row. Grief, anxiety, trauma, and sports performance are my primary areas of interest. As a former athlete, coach, and organizational leader, I understand the impact our inner voice has upon our confidence, mood, and relationships. Gaining insight into ourselves can free us to overcome obstacles that seemed historically insurmountable.

We all have a superpower and it is to see the future; well at least we think we can see the future. Sometimes we get overwhelmed with "what if" and it prevents us from moving forward. What about sometimes losing memory of certain events or loss of ability to engage in the event. My goal is to assist those struggling with performance anxiety, mental blocks due to emotional distress and returning back to sports/life after injury. Through brain spotting, talk therapy, M.E.A.L. P.R.E.P framework and other therapeutic tools you will be able to implement and shift in order to move to the next play in your mental wellness.

We specialize in sports performance, sports psychology and mental health for athletes. Regardless of the challenge you face, our role is to guide you toward a more fulfilling and satisfying life in and out of sport. We'll help you focus on what is most important to you and teach you how to overcome the barriers that get in your way (e.g. stress, anxiety, relationships, etc.). This will include helping you gain a deeper understanding of your concerns as well as teaching you specific skills and strategies you can use to manage the challenges you face, and ultimately move toward the goals you have in your life.

I believe that therapy can empower you to live the life that you seek. Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, grieving a loss, managing relationship issues or processing trauma, I am here to provide a safe, non judgmental and compassionate environment where you can express yourself freely and be fully heard.

I'm open to a broad client base but my predominant experience is with first gen college students, pro athletes & their family members. I ran the mental health services for UW athletics and am currently the consulting clinician for the Seattle Mariners and the NHL. I work best with driven people experiencing a big change. Perhaps, despite your best efforts, things aren’t working out as you’d hoped. Or perhaps you’ve gotten all you wanted and it doesn’t satisfy the way you thought it might. Though I often work with athletes I am not a Sports Psych. In fact, I don’t even follow sports! I’m here for the rest of your life and identity.

David's Background: David Sacks is a licensed clinical psychologist and a consultant for athletes and other elite performers. He is a graduate of Stanford University (B.A. English; M.A. Education) and earned his Ph.D. from Florida State University. David completed his psychology internship and postdoctoral fellowship at the Vanderbilt University Counseling Center. As a scientist-practitioner, David has published numerous articles and presented at national and international conferences. In both his therapy and consultation work, David helps others to make specific adjustments in their ways of operating and, importantly, to understand the “bigger picture” in order to achieve lasting change. He uses a strengths-based approach to allow his clients to discover the best version of themselves. David has worked with thousands of students and clients, including award-winning scholars, professional athletes, musicians, service members, and other diverse individuals and groups from all walks of life.

Are you feeling stressed, overwhelmed, anxious or depressed? Maybe you've been having thoughts of not being good enough or questioning your identity. You might be the kind of person who is used to having it all figured out and can usually manage things on your own, but lately it’s been feeling like too much to handle. Stress is starting to negatively impact your relationships, work and health. Trying to carry this weight can be emotionally and physically exhausting especially when you’re trying to do it alone. That’s where I come in.

My approach to counseling is very interactive and individualized. I like to provide an environment full of creativity, flexibility and humor during the counseling process. Challenging your self-perception, understanding your emotions, and changing your unhelpful behaviors requires tough work, but you won't be doing it alone. Together we will explore the patterns in your life that are keeping you stuck and find healthier ways to achieve what you need so that you can begin creating a life you love.

Many obstacles can interfere with living life to its fullest, but they don't have to. Creating a focused plan and sticking with it can be life changing, and at times deeper issues are at play. In my practice I work with high performing individuals such as Athletes, Entertainers and Public Figures, as well as their families. Having competed and worked in the Sport and Entertainment Industries for more than twenty years, I've developed a unique approach incorporating performance psychology, positive mental health and mindfulness to consistently help clients around the world meet and exceed their goals.

Meredith is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a background in both acute inpatient and traditional outpatient settings. She received her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lipscomb University. Meredith practices evidence-based techniques and approaches to therapy. Some of her clinical interests include: depressive disorders, managing stress and anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, relational issues, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem, health/wellness, life transitions, and creating and maintaining healthy boundaries.

Looking to improve your sport/mental performance? Better understand your gender, sexuality, or relationship identity? Process a history of trauma? Our stories are our greatest power, and yet, can be difficult to share. I am a Clinical Sport Psychologist who encourages clients to tell their stories (yes, even the ugly stuff!) as accurately and meaningfully as possible to pave a path for moving forward. I equally recognize that not all mental health concerns are individually determined, and encourage clients to explore the impact of their social, intergenerational, and environmental histories and resources to promote healing/growth.

I believe in the importance of accepting and loving yourself and reframing negative self-talk and core-beliefs. I prioritize diving deeper into the root causes of these negative core-beliefs and working to heal their source, instead of taking a band-aid approach to remedying symptoms. I feel particularly called to work with men seeking help from the pressures of societal and/or familial and cultural norms and often work with issues including trauma recovery, military-related issues, intimacy disorders & sex and love addiction, substance abuse disorders, anxiety and depression, and self-medicating tendencies.

Sometimes, your teen has experienced a traumatic event or is just having difficulty navigating life’s changes, such as divorce; the death of a family member; adoption; or adjusting to school, friends, and their self-identity. Communicating how they feel, especially to their parents, is not a teen’s strong point. As a result, both the teen and parents become frustrated. Adolescence is a significant life transition. Without some guidance (or interpreter), the process becomes a rocky road for all involved.

Sometimes life can get complicated and knock us down. Most times it takes a helping hand to get out of those hard moments. I pledge to give you my very best to be a helping hand, working with you, to move forward and up through those difficult circumstances. Need a hand? Email me. Let's work together.

Recognizing one's need for healing is a huge step and I am honored that you may consider my support in your journey! My niche is helping adults navigate depression, anxiety, and relationship difficulty. I also have special rates for teachers, nurses, and social workers dealing with burnout, compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma. If this is you, I would love to connect!

CURRENT AVAILABILITY!! Trauma Therapy of Nashville is currently accepting new clients! Our therapists are highly skilled to work with trauma and integrative in their work with clients. Using evidenced-based and holistic therapy methods, clients receive an integrative treatment approach that is tailored to their individual needs. We would love to connect with you! Contact our Client Care Coordinator, Jenna, at Admin@TraumaTherapyNashville.com.

The clients that have had the most success in my counseling and coaching have three traits: 1) Life is not going how they wish it would. 2) They are tired of that feeling. 3) They are motivated to change their life to begin the journey towards their dreams. If you are struggling and are not sure where to turn next, let me help you reassess and reposition your life for the success and dreams you want.