Sports and Performance Counseling
Fall seasons are in full swing, and with them come pressure, slumps, and the mental grind of competing. We help athletes, coaches, and high performers across Mid-Michigan build the mindset to compete with confidence, bounce back from setbacks, and perform when it matters most.
Mental performance counseling for athletes in Mid-Michigan
Talent and practice get you to the field, the court, or the mat. What happens between your ears often decides the rest. At Harvard Avenue Counseling Services, we offer sports and performance counseling for athletes in Alma, Ithaca, Mount Pleasant, and across Gratiot County, with online sessions available anywhere in Michigan.
We work with:
High school athletes and their parents
Alma College and CMU students who compete
Adult and weekend competitors, from runners to golfers to rec-league players
Coaches who carry the weight of a whole team
Sessions are led by Alex Netzley, MA, LPC, a licensed counselor with 10 years of experience, and our team of clinicians.
What we can help with
Every athlete’s struggle looks a little different. Some of the most common reasons people reach out:
Confidence that comes and goes, or disappears after one bad game
Performance anxiety: the nerves, racing thoughts, or tight body that show up before or during competition
Slumps and “yips”-type struggles, when a skill you’ve done a thousand times suddenly won’t come
Focus and composure under pressure, especially after a mistake
Motivation and burnout, when the sport you loved starts to feel like a job
Injury recovery and return to play, including the fear of getting hurt again
Balancing sport with school, work, and life
Team and family pressure, and the expectations that come with them
Evidence-based tools, not pep talks
Our approach is practical. We use evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mental skills training, and Motivational Interviewing to help you notice the thoughts that knock you off course, reset faster after mistakes, and build pre-performance routines you can actually use on game day.
Here’s what makes counseling different from mental coaching: sometimes performance struggles sit on top of something bigger, like anxiety, depression, or stress that follows you off the field. A non-licensed coach can’t treat those concerns. As licensed counselors, we can. That means we can work on your game and on the person playing it.
For parents: what to expect
If your teen is struggling, you may be wondering where to start. Here’s how it usually works:
Getting started: Call us or request an appointment. We’ll ask a few questions, check your insurance benefits for free, and find a time that fits around practices and games.
The first session: We get to know your athlete, what’s going on, and what they want to change. Parents are often part of the first visit.
Confidentiality: In general, what a teen shares in session stays private, which helps them open up. There are important exceptions, such as safety concerns, and we’ll explain how confidentiality works for your family at the start.
Staying involved: We’ll talk together about how you can support your athlete at home without adding more pressure.
In-person in Alma and Ithaca, or online
Meet with us in person at our Alma office or at 301 Commerce Drive in Ithaca, or choose online sessions from anywhere in Michigan. Online sessions work well for busy seasons, college schedules, and travel weekends.
Fees and insurance
Insurance may cover sports and performance counseling when there’s a diagnosable concern, such as anxiety or depression, that’s affecting performance. If not, self-pay sessions are $130, and a sliding scale is available. We accept many plans, including BlueCross BlueShield, Blue Care Network, Priority Health, Aetna, Cigna and Evernorth, and UnitedHealthcare. Please confirm your coverage with us; we’ll run a free benefits check before your first visit.
FAQ
What is sports and performance counseling?
It’s counseling with a licensed counselor that focuses on mental performance, plus the stress, anxiety, and life pressures that affect it. Alex is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Michigan.
How many sessions will my athlete need?
It depends on the person and their goals. Some athletes come for a handful of sessions to build specific skills; others stay longer to work through anxiety or burnout. We’ll check in on progress together.
Do you work with coaches or whole teams?
We work with coaches individually on pressure, burnout, and leadership stress. Reach out to talk through what you’re looking for.
Can I do sessions online?
Yes. Online sessions are available anywhere in Michigan, which helps during busy seasons and for college students away from home.
Will insurance cover this?
Often it can, when there’s a diagnosable concern like anxiety. We’ll run a free benefits check so you know what to expect. Otherwise, self-pay is $130 per session, with a sliding scale available.
Ready to compete with more confidence?
Whether it’s the start of the season or the middle of a slump, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Reach out whenever you’re ready.