How do I know it’s time to get help?
Whether you’ve gotten help for mental health or performance before, it can be hard to know what conditions are right to reach out to a therapist or coach. If you’re asking this question, chances are you would benefit from getting started with someone to help you.
Before calling anyone or reaching out, it can be helpful for you to map out what’s missing or what your goals are. If you need some help guiding what you’re looking for, maybe these questions can help:
Is there a version of yourself you miss or want to get back to?
Have you noticed your performance suffer after an event? Or maybe from out of nowhere?
Are you getting feedback from coaches, your parents, or teammates that isn’t typical or you’re having a hard time processing that feedback?
Does thinking about the future in or out of your sport bring you more anxiety than calmness?
Are you coming up on a big question that you need support with (what level to play college ball or how to process an injury prognosis)?
How distressed are your symptoms/concerns making you feel day to day?
Ideally, we can handle all of these things with our immediate support group. But experience tells us that we (athletes) aren’t always the best at asking for help when we need it. We turn inwards and may ignore those issues assuming they’ll go away or we’ll figure it out along the way. This thinking can often lead to more distress rather than less.
All of my consultations include the question: “How do you see me helping you with your goals?” Not everyone knows the answer to this, but it can be good to have an idea on if you’re looking for skills, accountability, support with major decisions, or something else.
Parents: you often know before anyone else when something is going on with your child. We support teens and young adults at Finish Line Mindset. Typically, our first call is with the parents and even the parent with the athlete to get a full picture.
When you’re considering adding some extra support like a therapist or performance coach, consider your readiness for change. We’ll challenge you, we’ll give you homework, and we’ll keep you accountable. All in the name of helping you be your best self.
When in doubt reach out! I’ve made recommendations for folks that have included items other than therapy or mental coaching. Not everyone is a perfect fit for Finish Line Mindset, but we are committed to helping you find that fit and solution. You can call, you can text, or connect using our contact form.
