What is sports & performance counseling?

Sports & performance counseling focuses on the mental and emotional factors that influence high-level performance — whether in athletics, the arts, leadership roles, or other demanding fields. It’s not just about physical training or technique. It addresses how thoughts, emotions, and mindset can support or hinder consistent, sustainable performance.

While it has unique applications for athletes, performers, and high-pressure professions, its principles also benefit anyone who wants to cope better with stress, maintain motivation, and align performance with overall wellbeing.

Signs you (or someone you know) may benefit

Trouble in performance doesn’t always stem from technique or physical capacity. Emotional imbalances, internal pressures, and mental fatigue can become hidden barriers. Some signs include:

• Waning enthusiasm or loss of drive
• Slower-than-expected progress or plateaus
• Difficulty bouncing back after injury or setbacks
• Sleep disruptions, irritability, or mood changes
• Negative self-talk, self-criticism, or overly high expectations
• Distance from social relationships or increased isolation
• Changes in appetite or use of substances as a coping tool

If any of those feel familiar, know that you’re not alone and help exists beyond just pushing harder or “trying more.”

Building mental skills & emotional resilience

This kind of counseling helps clients develop:

• Resilience under pressure — sustaining confidence and focus even when stakes are high
• Patience and recovery mindset — especially during injuries or off-peak periods
• Improved communication & teamwork — when performance is part of a group or ensemble
• Consistency & flow — minimizing emotional swings, distractions, or burnout
• Identity & balance — integrating performance goals with a full, healthy life

 What to expect during sessions

1. Getting to know you — The first session is often about establishing rapport, exploring goals and challenges, and recognizing mental health needs.
2. Goal setting — Together, client and counselor craft a plan that blends performance aspirations with personal wellbeing.
3. Interventions & tools — Techniques may include mindfulness, mental rehearsal, cognitive strategies, focus training, self-compassion work, and exploring barriers or limiting beliefs.
4. Ongoing monitoring & adjustment — The plan evolves with the client’s progress, new challenges, or shifting priorities.

If a mental health condition surfaces that requires more care, (significant anxiety, depression, substance use, or eating disorders), Rosecrance Therapies offers pathways to more specialized treatment.

Who can benefit

You don’t have to be an elite athlete. Rosecrance’s approach is accessible to:

• Young athletes/students
• High school or collegiate competitors
• Professional or elite athletes
• Performing artists: musicians, dancers, actors
• Coaches, teams, instructors, or groups
• People in high-demand careers

Getting started with Rosecrance Therapies

In the Chicago and Champaign-Urbana areas, Rosecrance Therapies offers individual and group consultation for teens and adults pursuing performance excellence.

If you’re curious or ready to explore, start with a confidential conversation about your goals, challenges, and what kind of growth you’d like to see.

You don’t have to navigate the mental side of performance alone.