Sports Psychology therapists in La Crosse, Wisconsin WI
Browse Sports Psychology therapists in La Crosse. Compare credentials, specialties and therapeutic approach. Contact a therapist to learn more.
Melissa Drinkman, Pathways To Connection
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, DBH, LCSW
At Pathways To Connection, we utilize sports psychology and psychotherapy to enhance mental well-being and performance. We focus on helping individuals address emotional, psychological, and behavioral challenges by providing a safe space for self-reflection, growth, and healing. This can help people manage stress, anxiety, trauma, and relationship issues, supporting you in improving their overall mental health. We also focus on helping you improve your mental resilience, motivation, focus, and emotional control, enhancing your ability to perform under pressure. We use techniques such as visualization, goal setting, and mindfulness, to empower you to overcome mental barriers and achieve peak performance.
14 Years Experience
Online in La Crosse, WI Wisconsin (Online Only)
Dr. Jeffrey Huttman
Psychologist, Ph.D.
As a licensed psychologist, I have extensive experience treating both professional and college age athletes to maximize performance . I utilize an eclectic blend of CBT, DBT, mindfulness and relaxation techniques to help guide improvement both on and off the court.
23 Years Experience
Online in La Crosse, WI Wisconsin
Orka Health and Wellness, PLLC
Counselor/Therapist, MSW, LICSW, LMFT, LPCC
Integrating mental health support with athletic performance requires a specialized understanding of the "athlete's mindset." Whether you are a competitive student-athlete (ages 10+), a collegiate performer, or a weekend warrior, our Master’s level, clinically licensed therapists help you bridge the gap between your mental well-being and your physical goals.
The Mental Edge: Therapy for Athletes & Performers
In sports, mental health is performance. We help athletes move past the mental blocks that keep them from their full potential, while ensuring they remain resilient individuals outside of their sport.
How We Support Athletes
We address the unique pressures of the athletic world using evidence-based clinical tools:
Identity & Self-Esteem: We help athletes build a sense of self that isn't solely tied to their stats or win/loss record—a crucial step for long-term mental health.
Injury Recovery: Navigating the grief and frustration of being sidelined, helping you maintain a positive mindset during physical rehab.
High-Conflict Systems: For youth athletes, we help navigate the "high-conflict" dynamics that can arise between players, parents, and coaches.
Our Specialized Youth Approach (Ages 10+)
For younger athletes, we utilize specialized interactive software to help them visualize goals, track their emotional "game film," and build the self-esteem necessary to thrive both on and off the field.
Your Performance Roadmap
Every athlete’s journey starts with a full assessment to determine where your mental "blind spots" are.
Clinical Assessment: We look at the intersection of your life and your sport.
Goal Setting: We set specific markers for success—such as reducing pre-game panic, improving focus, or healing from a past injury.
Collaborative Plan: We discuss a treatment plan together that respects your training schedule and competitive season.
We know that athletes have demanding schedules. We make it easy to get the support you need:
Online Therapy: Meet with your therapist from home or while traveling for games.
Free Consults: Meet with a therapist to ensure they "get" your sport and your goals before you dive in.
5 Years Experience
Online in La Crosse, WI Wisconsin (Online Only)
Dr. Sari Shepphird
Psychologist, Ph.D.
Dr. Sari is beyond an expert in sports psychology and recognized as an award winning leader in sport & performance psychology. She works with athletes, coaches, teams and performers from every premiere sport. She works with World Champions, Olympians, elite athletes, and rising stars from nearly every sport imaginable.
30 Years Experience
Online in La Crosse, WI Wisconsin
Dr. Elizabeth Coldren
Psychologist, PSYD, PSYPACT
I work with adult athletes, including those competing professionally, internationally, or at other elite levels. My focus is not on coaching your performance, but on supporting you as a human being who also happens to be an athlete. I work with people across all stages of their careers: the early years of building identity and navigating expectations, the intensity and visibility of peak competition, the disruption of injury, and the uncertainty that can come with transition or retirement. I work with athletes who are in the thick of their careers and those who are on the other side of competition, asking, “Who am I now, if I’m not defined by sport?” Even when things look successful from the outside, it can feel isolating to hold so much pressure, expectation, and visibility on your own.
Many athletes I see are navigating relationship strains connected to training, travel, and time away; the expectations and sacrifices that come with elite sport; pressure from coaches, sponsors, media, or social media; life in the public eye with very little true privacy; perfectionism, self-criticism, and the sense that you can never fully relax; family expectations; worries about long-term health or injury; questions of trust; and wondering who you are if you are not always competing, winning, or pushing through. There is often a deeper challenge of finding meaning, identity, and purpose beyond sport.
Confidentiality is central to this work. My office is intentionally private, with no shared waiting room or overlapping sessions, so you can arrive and leave without being seen by other clients. You are not just an athlete or a brand, you are a person navigating a complex life, relationships, health, and big decisions about the future. Our work centers you as a whole human, so you have a stable place to sort through what you are navigating and how you want to move forward.
26 Years Experience
Online in La Crosse, WI Wisconsin
Sports Psychology therapists in La Crosse, Wisconsin Statistics
Sports Psychology therapists in La Crosse, Wisconsin average 18 years of experience and charge around $234 per session. 100% offer online sessions. The top treatment approaches are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (81%), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) (45%), and Behavioral Therapy (45%).
Average years in practice
18 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$234
Accept insurance
29%
Offer sliding scale
58%
Gender ID
| 56% |
Female |
|
| 41% |
Male |
|
| 3% |
Non-Binary |
|
Session Type
| 52% |
Online Only |
|
| 48% |
In Person and Online |
|
Top Treatment Approaches
| 81% | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| 45% | Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) |
| 45% | Behavioral Therapy |
| 42% | Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) |
| 35% | Integrative Therapy |
| 32% | Family Systems Therapy |
| 29% | Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) |
Ages Served
| 100% | Adult |
| 84% | Young Adult |
| 65% | Senior |
| 58% | Teen |
| 26% | Children |
Client Focus
| 61% | Women |
| 58% | Men |
| 42% | Military / Veterans |
| 35% | Christian |
| 35% | Persons with Disabilities |