As a mental health clinician, watching the Lindsay Clancy trial has been really difficult to process for so many reasons. It has been heartbreaking to know the outcome, but to also watch how everything has been unfolding over the last couple of weeks. I found myself questioning myself as a clinician, because for a lot of us, especially in the perinatal mental health world, some of the issues being discussed feel close to home and happen in clients that sit across from us every day.

As the end of summertime fun quickly approaches, the nerves of starting a new school year start to arise. Getting back into school routines can feel like an impossible task for both parents and kids, but it doesn’t have to be! Here are some ways to help make going back to school a smooth transition!

Most athletes know what it feels like to have a big moment arrive. The game is close. The crowd is loud. The coach is watching. A teammate is counting on you. Maybe it is a free throw, a penalty kick, a final at-bat, a serve, a routine, or one play that could change the outcome.

Being called talented can feel good. For many athletes, it is a compliment that recognizes hard work, ability, and potential. Coaches may praise them. Parents may feel proud. Teammates may look up to them. Others may expect them to be a leader, a starter, or the athlete who comes through when the game is on the line.

We hear this word all the time, but how many of us know how to describe it? What is rumination? This is defined as, “the habit of obsessively, repetitively, and passively dwelling on negative feelings, past mistakes, or worries, often without finding solutions.”

Have you ever experienced days when your mood is off? Maybe your energy drops, anxiety seems to jump out of nowhere, maybe feeling super down in the dumps?
I think it is pretty easy to assume we feel that way simply because of some added work stress or a busy schedule this week- but what if I told you that sometimes our bodies are trying to tell us something more, something deeper.

Social media can be a powerful tool for athletes. It allows them to share highlights, celebrate wins, connect with teammates, promote accomplishments, and build a personal brand.

Athletes spend a lot of time training their bodies. They practice skills, build strength, improve speed, and work on endurance. But one of the most important parts of athletic performance often happens away from the field, court, pool, track, or gym: recovery.

Athletes are often told to be focused, tough, and ready for anything. But in the middle of competition, focus can be difficult to maintain. A missed shot, a bad call, a mistake, or pressure from the crowd can quickly pull an athlete out of the moment.

Athletes are often praised for being tough. They are taught to push through pain, stay focused under pressure, and keep going when things get difficult. While determination is an important part of sports, it can sometimes send the wrong message: that athletes should handle everything on their own.