Wants to quit
Something they loved now feels like a struggle or something to avoid.
For parents of young athletes
Mental performance coaching for your young athlete
Seeing your child frustrated, anxious or ready to quit the sport they love is hard. As a mental performance professional, I work with kids and teen athletes, and with their families, so sport becomes a place to grow and have fun again.
Signs to watch for
Is your child going through any of this?
No single sign is serious on its own. But if several keep showing up, it is worth talking it through.
Nerves that ruin the fun
Stomachaches, trouble sleeping or tears before competing.
Very upset after losing
Frustration that feels out of proportion or lasts for days.
Performs differently when watched
Fine in practice, but not in games or in front of family.
Constant comparison
Feels never good enough, or that everyone else is better.
Hard to come back from injury
Cleared to play, but not ready to play like before.
How I work with kids and teens
A space for your child, with the family close by.
- A first conversation with parents to understand the situation
- Online sessions with your child, in their own confidential space
- Regular check-ins with the family to support the process
- Coordination with the coach or club when the family agrees
- Always with the consent of parents or guardians
Ages
- KidsWith the family closely involved, through play and examples from their sport.
- TeensMore independence in sessions, with a focus on pressure, confidence and balancing sport and school.
- Young athletes in transitionThe jump to varsity, a select team or a college roster.
What you can do at home
Support without pressure.
A few simple ideas that make a big difference.
Ask about the fun
After the game, ask whether they had fun before asking about the score.
Praise effort
Value commitment and effort, not just goals or points.
Leave coaching to the coach
From the stands, cheering works better than instructions.
Protect the ride home
The car after a loss is not the best place to break down the game.
Respect their timing
Every kid develops at their own pace, in sport and in life.
Talk about it naturally
Working with a mental performance coach is training the mind, not "having a problem".
What ages do you work with?
Kids and teens who play sports, adapting the approach to each age.
Do parents join the sessions?
There is always a first conversation with the family and regular check-ins. Sessions with your child are their own space.
Will you tell me what my child talks about?
What they share in sessions stays confidential, except in situations of risk. With the family I share how the process is going and how you can help.
What if my child does not want to go?
That is more common than you think. We can start with a conversation with you and figure out together how to suggest it.
Is this therapy for my child?
No. It is mental performance coaching around sport. If your child needs mental health care, I will recommend you see a licensed provider.
Shall we talk?
Book a free 20-minute call to talk as a family, no commitment.
Prefer email? cdiazguzman@psicodeldeporte.com