Therapy for Teen Athletes (Ages 15-17)
Support for Your Daughter—On and Off the Field
At Dragonfly, our therapists offer a real, down-to-earth space where you can be yourself — no judgment, no pressure. We focus on building a relationship based on trust and meeting you where you’re at, so you feel truly heard and supported from the very first session.
Is your daughter feeling overwhelmed by the pressure of competitive sports?
Does she seem increasingly anxious, withdrawn, or frustrated during her sports season?
Is she putting immense pressure on herself to perform, achieve, or “stay tough”? Has she lost the joy she once felt for her sport—or begun struggling in school or with friends?
Being a teen athlete often comes with high expectations—on the field, in the classroom, and socially. It’s not uncommon for girls in sport to appear confident and driven while privately struggling with anxiety, perfectionism, or burnout.
You may notice your daughter becoming more self-critical, irritable, or emotionally shut down.
Injuries or performance setbacks may be hitting her harder than expected. And as a parent, it’s hard to know when to push, when to back off, or how to support her in a way that truly helps.
If you’re concerned your daughter’s mental or emotional well-being is being impacted by the pressures of sport, therapy can be a safe and powerful place for her to get support.
Many Teen Athletes Struggle with the Emotional Demands of Sport
Even when a young athlete seems “fine,” she may be carrying a heavy mental and emotional load. Teen girls often feel torn between wanting to succeed and feeling overwhelmed by everything it takes to get there. They may fear disappointing coaches, teammates, or themselves. They may struggle with body image, identity, or the pressure to perform perfectly all the time.
These challenges are more common than many people realize—and they’re not a reflection of your parenting or her lack of effort. This stage of life is already full of emotional ups and downs. Layer on the demands of competitive sport, and it’s easy to see how things can start to unravel.
The good news is that with the right support, your daughter can learn to navigate these challenges in a way that strengthens—not breaks—her resilience.
Therapy can help your daughter stay mentally strong and emotionally grounded
At Dragonfly, we provide a warm, nonjudgmental space for teen girls to talk through what’s going on beneath the surface. Our therapists help young athletes make sense of their thoughts, feelings, and experiences—whether they’re facing performance anxiety, fear of failure, loss of motivation, or identity struggles tied to sport.
Using a combination of talk therapy, practical coping strategies, and insights from sports
psychology, we help your daughter:
- Cope with the stress of competition and performance
- Navigate injuries, setbacks, or pressure to “keep pushing”
- Challenge perfectionistic thinking
- Develop self-worth outside of athletic identity
- Improve mood, motivation, and balance
Therapy isn’t about taking her away from sport—it’s about helping her stay healthy
within it. We empower teen athletes to know themselves better, speak up when they
need help, and feel proud of who they are beyond the scoreboard.
She is so much more than just an athlete.
We take time to understand your daughter’s experience, including how her sport intersects with her school life, friendships, identity, and development. We also recognize that each family dynamic is different and offer parent support when needed.
Our female psychologists understand the unique challenges women face.
We’re here to support you through it all—with warmth, honesty, and real connection.
Let’s start with a free 20-minute phone consult.
No pressure, no commitment—just a chance to talk, ask questions, and see if we’re the right fit for you.
You May Be Interested in Therapy for Teen Athletes -
But Have Some Questions...
How do you address performance pressure and burnout in teen athletes?
We help teens develop healthy coping skills, set realistic goals, and build resilience. Therapy supports them in balancing sport with school, social life, and self-care.
Will therapy interfere with her training or athletic schedule?
Therapy at Dragonfly is flexible and designed to fit around your teen’s commitments. We have evening and weekend sessions available to accommodate busy schedules. We work with families to schedule sessions that minimize disruption to practices, games, and school.
How can I tell if my daughter is struggling emotionally with her sport?
Signs may include withdrawal, mood changes, decreased motivation, changes in sleep or appetite, or increased irritability. Teens often hide their feelings, so changes in behaviour or attitude are important to notice.
How involved will parents be in the therapy process?
Parents will definitely be involved to some extent. However, the content of the sessions will remain confidential to help build your teens trust. Teens need a sense of privacy in therapy to open up, but we keep parents informed of any safety concerns and any strategies that could help at home. We also welcome parent sessions if needed.
Available Therapists
(Offering In-Person or Virtually Counselling Services in the Calgary Area)
Don't want to book online? Not sure who to book with?
Get in touch to book a free phone consult.
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Therapy for Teen Athletes in Calgary, AB
In Person and Online Sessions Available
1407 10 St SW, Calgary, AB T2R 1E7