perform under pressure
enjoy the game
Clinical Sport Psychology for Athletes with Anxiety or OCD
CBT Informed by Mental Skills and Improv
Does any of this sound familiar?
There are times when you feel locked-in. You trust your training, compete freely, and enjoy the game. Then something changes. You start overthinking, your confidence takes a hit, or anxiety follows you onto the field, court, stage, or into the weight room. If that sounds familiar, sport psychology can help you get back to performing and enjoying your sport again.
Where do we go from here?
We'll start by getting a better understanding of what you're experiencing, how it's affecting your performance, and what you'd like to be different. Together, we'll develop a plan that fits your goals.
As therapy progresses, we'll practice new ways of responding to anxiety, self-doubt, racing thoughts, OCD, or other obstacles that can interfere with performance. We'll apply those strategies during the situations that matter most to you so they're easier to use when the pressure is on.
Our goal is simple: help you perform under pressure, enjoy your sport, and build skills that continue to serve you long after the game is over.
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Overthinking during competition
Rigid or compulsive routines
Loss of confidence under pressure
Difficulty enjoying the sport
Perfectionism
You don’t need to get rid of these experiences completely.
You need to learn how to perform alongside them.
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You don’t have to choose between being mentally healthy and being competitive.
In fact, the skills that support mental health — flexibility, awareness, resilience — are the same ones that support high-level performance.
Great athletes rarely feel “perfect.”
Instead they learn to stay present and perform anyway.
I work with:
High school athletes
Collegiate athletes
Competitive and elite performers
Including athletes who are:
Highly driven and self-critical
Struggling quietly despite strong performance
Looking for both performance improvement and mental health support
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Movie House Sport Psychology
I host a podcast exploring the mental side of sport through storytelling, performance insights, and a bit of creativity.
Check it out on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube.
The Mentally Fit Athlete
I also co-host a podcast that explores the mental side of sport and performance. Each episode is an informal open conversation filled with practical takeaways useful for coaches, athletes, and anyone interested in performance and wellbeing.
How we’ll work together
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
The gold standard for navigating OCD and intrusive thoughts. We look at the patterns keeping you stuck, building practical strategies to handle performance anxiety without letting it dictate your actions on the field or court. We’ll use specialized approaches such I-CBT, ERP, and CBT-I.
Mental Skills Training
Performance-specific tools designed to sharpen your focus, establish flexible routines, and maintain confidence when the stakes are highest. You will learn to trust your training when it matters most.
Applied Improv Principles
Sport is unpredictable. By blending improv principles into performance psychology, you will develop cognitive flexibility—the ability to stay completely present, drop rigid expectations, and adapt to whatever the game throws at you.
Workshops & team sessions
Every team faces challenges. Communication breaks down, frustration builds, confidence takes a hit, or athletes become so focused on their own performance that they lose sight of the team.
My workshops use interactive team-building activities and improv exercises to help athletes practice communication, teamwork, staying present under pressure, and responding constructively to mistakes and feedback.
A Bit About ME
I’m a clinical sport psychologist who works with athletes navigating anxiety, OCD, and high-performance pressure.
My background in weightlifting, shaped by coaching influenced by the philosophy of Tommy Kono, taught me that performance is about responding to pressure rather than eliminating it.
Today, I integrate cognitive behavioral therapy, mental skills training, and principles from improv to help athletes compete with clarity and flexibility when it matters most.
Still have questions?
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Clinical sport psychology combines evidence-based mental health treatment with sport psychology and mental skills training. I work with athletes and performers who are dealing with concerns such as performance anxiety, OCD, anxiety, insomnia, depression, or other mental health challenges that are affecting both performance and overall well-being. Together, we'll develop practical skills that help you perform under pressure while improving your mental health.
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I work with middle school, high school, college, and adult athletes, as well as performers from a variety of backgrounds. Whether you're competing at a recreational, club, collegiate, or professional level, treatment is tailored to your goals, your sport, and the challenges you're facing.
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Yes. Anxiety and OCD can affect confidence, focus, decision-making, sleep, and enjoyment of your sport. We'll work together to understand what's happening and develop a plan using evidence-based treatment approaches that help you get back to training, competing, and enjoying your sport.
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Sessions are interactive and collaborative, just as they would be in person. We'll talk through what's getting in your way, practice new strategies, and develop skills that you can apply during training, competition, school, work, and everyday life. Many athletes appreciate the flexibility of telehealth because they can attend sessions from anywhere in California without adding more travel to an already busy schedule.
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Yes. I provide workshops for teams, coaches, and athletic departments throughout Southern California. Rather than relying on lectures, I use interactive activities—including improv exercises—to help athletes practice communication, teamwork, attention, and other mental skills that translate to practice and competition.
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The first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other. We'll talk about what's bringing you to therapy, your athletic background, your goals, and the challenges you're facing. Together, we'll begin developing a plan that's tailored to your needs. You'll also have plenty of time to ask questions and decide whether we're a good fit.
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That depends on the athlete's age and individual needs. When working with younger athletes, I often involve parents as partners in the treatment process while also creating space for the athlete to develop independence and confidence. We'll discuss what level of involvement makes the most sense during our initial consultation.
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Yes. I provide telehealth services to clients throughout California. Whether you're training in Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Diego, Sacramento, or a smaller community, you can access treatment from wherever you are located in the state.
Ready to get started?
If you’re ready to strengthen your mental game and enjoy your sport more fully, I’d be glad to help.