Youth Athletes
This specialized service provides comprehensive mental performance coaching for young athletes.
Equipping them with psychological tools to overcome challenges like pre-competition nerves, anxiety, and negative self-talk. The methodology focuses on goal setting (both outcome-based and process-oriented), developing consistent pre- and post-performance routines, and teaching in-the-moment stress management techniques, such as breath control and positive self-talk. By integrating these strategies, the service aims to increase confidence, sharpen focus, and enable consistent peak performance, fostering both physical and mental fortitude.
Who Is This Therapy Service For?
You’re a youth athlete (or the parent of one) who wants a sharper, steadier mind to match physical talent—so pressure moments feel clear, confident, and controllable:
You feel pre-game nerves, overthinking, or “freeze” under pressure.
You want increased confidence, focus, and the ability to recover from mistakes.
You’re navigating tryouts, role changes, or a jump in competition level.
You’re returning from injury and need to overcome mental blocks.
You struggle with perfectionism, fear of failure, or negative self-talk.
Common Signs & Symptoms
Sports performance coaching may be right for you if you’re experiencing:
Low confidence; “I’m not good enough” talk.
Loss of joy in the sport; dread before practices or games.
Perfectionism or fear of failure.
Trouble concentrating on plays, coaching cues, or schoolwork.
If you want to perform at a high level consistently, contact me today.
What to expect
My Youth Athlete Mental Performance Coaching offers a fresh, skilled perspective, helping you overcome stress and fear of failure so you can perform your best when it matters most. This collaborative process supports both athletes and parents from day one. We'll engage in focused 50-minute sessions, either weekly or biweekly, supplemented with simple at-home practice. Our methods include baseline mindset measurements, goal tracking, and practical skills such as breathwork, reset routines, visualization, and positive performance self-talk.
quick fit & baseline
We'll start with a brief call with you and a parent to discuss challenges (such as nerves, negative self-talk, and inconsistency) and your improvement goals. I'll explain the 50-minute weekly/bi-weekly sessions, homework, progress tracking, and next steps. Afterward, a quick intake will cover your sport history, strengths, stressors, schedule, and a mindset/performance check-in to set a starting point.
Set Targets & Build the Plan
You’ll establish 2-3 goals together (e.g., confidence, recovery, focus). Then, a custom plan integrates weekly skill development and routines for practice and games. Our approach uses breathwork for calm, visualization for scenarios, and reset cues/positive self-talk for composure. A simple progress tracker helps you and your parents observe improvement without micromanagement.
train, review, refine
Each session includes a check-in, skill repetitions, game/film scenarios, and a brief weekly plan. Between sessions, you'll complete 5–10 minute drills and track your progress by logging wins and lessons. With your consent, parents receive a one-page playbook that outlines supportive phrases, game-day dos and don'ts, and strategies for reinforcing routines, ensuring everyone is working together.
Benefits and Outcomes
Imagine yourself playing with a calm mind, trusting your game, and performing under pressure.
Outcomes you can expect:
For athletes
Consistent game-day performance with a calm, focused mindset under pressure.
Faster reset after mistakes (simple cues/routines you can use in under 30 seconds).
Confident self-talk, clearer decisions, and stronger execution of skills.
Better balance of school, sport, sleep, and recovery habits.
For parents
Clear, supportive language for practices, games, and car rides (what helps, what to avoid).
Less conflict and more constructive conversations about performance and effort.
Simple at-home check-ins and routines that reinforce confidence and focus.
Optional collaboration with coaches to align mental routines with team goals.
Areas of Focus & Specializations
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We train mental toughness that shows up under pressure—calm breathing, clear thinking, and confident execution in big moments. Athletes practice servant leadership, setting standards, giving/receiving feedback, and building resilient habits so the locker room polices itself and the team identity holds through adversity.
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We create a structured plan for level changes, new roles, and return-to-play after injury—balancing skill work, conditioning, and recovery. Athletes receive support with time management, academics, and next-step choices (club/varsity, recruiting, college/career), transforming uncertainty into a clear, manageable path forward.
Meet Your Therapist
I specialize in youth sports performance. With a decade of experience as a practitioner, a long history as a youth football coach, and as a father of two boys actively involved in hockey, football, and baseball, I understand the pressures that young athletes and their families face. I've experienced it both on the sideline and in the stands with a nervous knot in my stomach. My mission is to transform that pressure into consistent performance, fostering calmer minds, clearer decisions, and confident play when it matters most. I offer one-on-one coaching, parent consultations, and team workshops, available both in-person and online.
I utilize mental skills training and MBCT to help athletes develop pre-game routines, effective self-talk, focus cues, and confidence-building strategies. For lingering issues like past injuries or performance blocks, I use performance-focused EMDR. Mindfulness/MBSR and breathwork cultivate "calm on command." We set clear goals and apply film analysis directly to performance.
Not Sure Where to Start? Let’s Talk.
Schedule a free consultation with Ronin Counseling, serving North Dakota and Minnesota in person and online. Ask questions and find out how therapy can support you.