Sports Focused Therapy Approach
What is Sports Social Work?
Sports social work focuses on the unique needs of athletes at all levels such as middle school, high school, collegiate, professional, and lastly transition out of sports. Athletes can experience a wide variety of concerns during their lifetime such as performance anxiety, eating disorders, loss of identity, self-defeating attitudes and behaviors, injuries, etc. A certified sports social worker pulls from different therapeutic approaches to target the unique needs of athletes and focuses their therapeutic treatment to focus on the athletes goals. The goal for each individual can be different due to the athlete’s needs and each clinician tailors their approach to target certain behaviors and accomplish therapeutic goals.
Why is Sports Social Work Beneficial?
A Sports Social Work Certification focuses on providing clinicians the ability to enhance their skills to directly support athletes’ mental health needs. Our clinician completed the University of Michigan’s Sports Certification program accredited by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) to better help athletes within the area. The program provided education to help athletes on all levels and included many nationally-recognized leaders in sports. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, only 10% of college athletes with known mental health concerns seek a form of professional help. Athletes at all ages can experience mental health concerns. Beginning services can help them identify, advocate, and learn techniques to better manage symptoms and improve their quality of life and quality of sport.
Why Would I Need Help?
It can be very difficult for an athlete to express they need help. That is the first step. Athletes can experience a wide variety of concerns, some are as follows:
- Difficulties balancing roles and responsibilities (practices, academics, social activities, relationships, etc.)
- Changes in sleep- sleeping too much or too little
- Changes in eating habits
- Dealing with injuries and loss of sport
- Dealing with the performance pressure and need to be perfect
How Do I Start?
If you are interested in learning more, do not hesitate to reach out via email at [email protected] or use our online platform to request a session.