Athlete Mental Health Treatment
Now available via telehealth in Illinois and Indiana. Work with our clinicians from anywhere. Schedule a free consultation →
Program ImpactOur CliniciansPartnershipsApplicantsFAQs
About the Program
The Athlete Mental Health program at Pillars of Wellness provides specialized clinical care for athletes navigating the psychological challenges of sport participation, competition, identity, and life transitions. Led by licensed clinicians with direct experience in athletic culture, this program goes beyond generic therapy to offer care that actually fits an athlete’s world.
While our sports psychology coaching program focuses on psychological skills training for performance enhancement, the Athlete Mental Health program is geared toward supporting the athlete’s overall mental health, both on and off the field. This includes addressing psychological barriers that may be impacting well-being, daily functioning, and, at times, performance.
Being an athlete comes with experiences that are hard to explain to someone who has never endured a grueling training camp, sat on the bench after a career-altering injury, or felt the weight of an entire team on their shoulders. Our clinicians understand the culture, the language, and what it actually takes to seek help in an environment that often tells you not to.
Whether you are struggling with anxiety, burnout, identity loss, disordered eating, depression, trauma, or the aftermath of injury or career transition, you deserve care that speaks your language and respects your sport.
Who We Help
For Athletes
You put in the work. You should be able to talk to someone who actually gets it.
- Work through anxiety, depression, and mood challenges that interfere with daily life and competition
- Address burnout, loss of motivation, and the emotional exhaustion that builds over a career
- Rebuild your sense of self after injury, being cut, or stepping away from sport
- Navigate disordered eating, body image concerns, and the pressures unique to athletic culture
- Process trauma from abusive coaching environments, high-pressure systems, or sport-related incidents
- Find support through career transitions and life after sport
For Coaches and Staff
You carry a lot. Your mental health matters too.
- Manage the emotional weight of responsibility for athletes’ wellbeing and team performance
- Recognize when an athlete is struggling and know how to respond effectively
- Build a program culture that normalizes mental health support
- Address your own occupational stress, burnout, and identity through sport
For Families
When your athlete is hurting, the whole family feels it.
- Understand what your athlete is experiencing emotionally and psychologically
- Learn how to talk about mental health with someone who resists help
- Navigate your own anxiety and pressure as a sports parent
- Support your child through injury, depression, burnout, or the end of a playing career
What to Expect
What You’ll Gain:
- A clinician who understands sport culture
- Evidence-based treatment for mental health challenges
- Tools to manage the mental health impact of injury, surgery, and long-term rehabilitation
- Support through career transitions — whether planned retirement, being cut, or changing sports
- A healthier relationship with your identity as both an athlete and a person
How It Works:
Start with a free consultation to determine whether individual therapy, group support, or a combined approach is the right fit for you.
- Session Length: 50 to 60 minutes
- Delivery: In-person, telehealth, or on-site consultation
- Schedule: Customizable to the athlete’s needs and your calendar
- Team Workshops: Available on-site or virtually
Locations:
- Northwest Indiana: Schererville, Valparaiso, Hobart, Merrillville
- Central Indiana: Indianapolis
- Telehealth: Available in Illinois and Indiana
What This Looks Like in Real Life:
Every athlete’s situation is different, but many of the challenges we see follow similar patterns. You might recognize yourself or your athlete in one of these:
Struggling with weight, food, and pressure
A Division I wrestler — years of weight cutting have become “normal,” but it’s taking a toll.
We work on breaking harmful patterns, reducing shame, and building a healthier relationship with food and body, without losing sight of performance goals.
Losing your identity after sport ends
A swimmer after retirement — sport has always defined who you are. Now it’s over, and you feel lost.
We help process that loss, rebuild identity, and create a sense of purpose beyond sport.
Trying to compete while dealing with depression
A high school soccer player mid-season — something feels off, but opening up is hard.
We meet you where you are, help you understand what you’re experiencing, and build tools that actually fit into your season.
Feeling lost after graduation or transition
A former college athlete — without structure, community, or goals, anxiety starts to take over.
We help you navigate the transition, regain direction, and rebuild stability.
What Makes Our Approach Different
Clinicians Who’ve Been in Sport
Our team includes former collegiate and professional athletes who pursued clinical training specifically to serve this population. You won’t spend your sessions explaining what sport culture feels like from the inside — we already know.
Specialized in Athlete Mental Health
From disordered eating in weight-class sports to identity collapse after a career-ending injury, we have advanced training in the mental health presentations that are unique to athletic populations. This isn’t a side specialty. It is our focus.
No Stigma, No Judgment
We know what it takes to ask for help in a culture built around toughness and silence. We make that process straightforward, confidential, and completely safe. You are in control of your care and who knows about it.
Treating the Whole Person
Your mental health does not exist separately from your sport, your relationships, your history, and your goals. We treat all of it, together.
Program Impact
clinicians dedicated to athlete mental health
in-person locations plus telehealth in Illinois and Indiana
Mental health care is an investment in every part of your life, including performance. Athletes who engage in specialized mental health treatment often experience:
Reduced anxiety, depression, and burnout, alongside increased confidence on and off the field.
Reduced risk of disengagement, dropout, and the emotional exhaustion that builds over an athletic career.
Better preparation for life after sport, with continued well-being through retirement, injury, or change.
Meet Our Clinicians
Our Athlete Mental Health team includes licensed clinicians with advanced training in sport and performance psychology, athlete identity development, trauma-informed care, and evidence-based treatment for anxiety, depression, and disordered eating. Several of our clinicians are former competitive athletes themselves.
Pillars of Wellness is a community-based mental health organization providing therapy, education, and specialty programs across Indiana and surrounding regions.
Partnership Information
Our Athlete Mental Health program would love to partner with your organization, school, or athletic department. Examples of what we offer include:
- Streamlined referrals and athlete consultation
- Team and program workshops on mental health awareness and stigma reduction
- Ongoing mental health consultation for coaching staff and athletic trainers
- Coordination with medical providers, sports medicine teams, and athletic departments (with consent)
Interested in partnering?
Applicant Information
Interested in joining our team?
As part of this Center of Excellence, clinicians have the opportunity to:
- Provide focused services in athlete mental health and sport psychology
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary clinicians and performance professionals
- Receive mentorship, supervision, and leadership opportunities
- Shape programming, outreach, and continuing education initiatives
Continuing Education
Program-related continuing education courses are excellent resources for counselors looking to expand their skill set in athlete mental health and sport psychology.
Excellence Starts Here
Athletes are often the last to ask for help. We built this program to make it easier — and to make sure that when you do reach out, you are met by someone who truly understands your world. Whether you are in the middle of a difficult season, recovering from injury, or figuring out who you are without sport, we are here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost?
Fees vary depending on the type of service. We accept many insurance plans for counseling services. Contact us for details on the options available for your situation.
Is this just for elite athletes?
Not at all. We work with athletes at every level, from youth recreational sports through professional competition. If you have built part of your life around sport, this program is for you.
Do I still have to be competing to use this program?
No. Many clients come to us during or after transitions out of sport.
Is everything I share confidential?
Yes. Sessions are confidential and protected by the same privacy standards as any mental health service. We do not share information with coaches, teams, or anyone else without your written consent.
My child is struggling after being cut from a team. Is this appropriate for them?
Absolutely. Losing a spot on a team can be genuinely devastating, especially for young athletes who have centered their identity around sport. We have extensive experience working with youth and adolescent athletes through exactly this kind of loss.
Can I do sessions over telehealth?
Yes. Telehealth sessions are available and work well for both individual athletes and teams. Many clients prefer telehealth for its convenience, privacy, and flexibility.