You’re a devoted parent, partner, or loved one of a competitive athlete.
You’re watching your teen, partner, or loved one juggle the stress and overwhelm of their personal commitments, practice schedule, and athletic dreams.
You worry they may be abusing drugs, drinking alcohol, vaping, or misusing pain medication to handle the stress and pressure. You see them struggling with the demands of being an athlete, or not knowing how to adjust to their injury and/or retirement. You believe they could be coping better than they are. But when you try to talk to them, they change the subject, shut down, or get defensive.
You have no clue how to help your teen or loved one. You feel hopeless, lost, and overwhelmed with worry and doubt. You just want them back to how they used to be.
You want a therapist who will actually understand what your loved one is facing as an elite or competitive athlete and can truly help them feel better.
You’re in the right place
I’m Jessica Joiner. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), I specialize in helping athletes who are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and anxious due to the pressures and demands of being a high-performing athlete, transitioning to a higher level of play, or entering retirement from their sport.
With over 10 years of experience, I have the skills, education, and know-how to guide your teen, spouse, or loved one in channeling their competitive nature into their emotional health and recovery.
I will support your loved one’s dedication and commitment to their sport, while balancing the need for them to manage their mental health, family life, or sobriety.
For Parents of Student Athletes
Your teen or young adult used to talk to you and share their life with you. Now they are focused on their school, teammates, training, and competitions. You know it’s normal for teens and young adults to pull away, but something feels off about the distance between you two.
Day to day life is a lot for a teen or young adult to handle. Add on the pressures of being a student athlete, and it may be more than they can manage on their own. You try to empathize with their struggles, but they won’t open up to you.
You’re wondering if they might open up to someone else besides you. You think therapy can be a sound option to get your teen or young adult the support they need during this stressful time in their life.
What are the benefits of therapy for student athletes?
When your teen or young adult comes to therapy, they may benefit in the following ways:
- Gain clarity if their drinking or substance use is normal, excessive, or harmful. If their use is bordering on excessive or harmful, they will learn how to ensure it doesn’t become a problem in the future.
- Practice skills to channel their competitive spirit into their mental health and overall wellness.
- Learn how to stand up to peer pressure and focus on friendships that are positive and encouraging
- Understand the actual impact their substance use, depression, or anxiety has on their sport and academics.
- Remove the stigma around mental health or inappropriate substance use, so they can understand that getting help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
- Identify the action steps needed to ensure they are healthy and strong, both mentally and emotionally.
Can the parents of student athletes benefit from therapy, too?
The answer is YES! If your teen or young adult is unwilling to come to therapy, or is already seeing a therapist, parents can benefit from their own support, too.
When you attend therapy yourself, you can focus on your own mental health while learning how to best support your teen or young adult with their struggles.
For Partners and Loved Ones of Athletes
Part of what you love about your athlete partner is their drive, purpose, and ambitious goals. Yet, you know that with these traits comes incredible pressure to perform and succeed.
You’re worried they could be using substances, alcohol, or prescription drugs to take the edge off, cope with an injury, or handle the intense pressure of competition.
Your partner or loved one values being an athlete above all else. It’s part of who they are. Yet, if they are recovering from an injury or have retired from their sport, this takes a toll on their self-worth and happiness. It seems if they aren’t playing their sport, they don’t know who they are.
When you bring it up to them, they blow up, brush you off, or pretend there isn’t a problem. You feel worried, afraid, and uncertain about how to best help them. Maybe you’ve been considering talking to someone who can help guide you in the right direction.
What are the benefits of therapy for partners and loved ones of athletes?
When you or your partner come to therapy (individually or as a couple), you may gain the following benefits:
- Understand how athlete mentality and sports culture influences your loved one’s mental health and outlook on life.
- Learn warning signs and the impact that harmful substance use or addiction has on athletes and their loved ones.
- Know what to do if your loved one or significant other is abusing drugs or alcohol and won’t get help.
- Learn and practice healthy communication with your loved one so you can support their sobriety, personal goals, and athletic career, without compromising your own values and needs.
- Have confidence in what to do when you’re questioning if your loved one may be experiencing symptoms of what is believed to be Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).
- Please note: Currently medical professionals are unable to diagnose individuals with CTE while alive. However, if the brain injury is suspected, there are still action steps you and your loved one can take to minimize the impact and plan for future challenges.
How do we get started?
Whether you want to explore counseling for yourself, your teen, or your loved one, I can guide you in determining the best course of action so that everyone can get the support they need.
Let’s start with a free phone consultation to explore the services needed for you or your loved one. On this call, I will ask questions about what you and your loved one are currently facing. I’ll make sure to explain how I can help or direct you to the right resource.
You’ll have plenty of time to ask me questions to know if I’m the best option for you, your teen, or loved one. From there, we will discuss how to schedule the first appointment.
Schedule your complimentary consultation today.
Please call my office at (303) 895-0635.
