Avery Nelson, MS

Here's what I know about being a guy in sport.

You're told to work hard. Sacrifice for the team. Put your head down and grind. Don't be emotional. Don't be scared of the big moment. Don't show weakness.

And if you're a coach or a parent? You're expected to have all the answers—even when you're just as confused as the athletes you're trying to support.

That's why I do this work—to create space for the conversations that guys, coaches, and parents aren't having anywhere else.

Most of my work is with people who don't usually seek this kind of support.

• Male athletes who are dealing with anxiety, pressure, ADHD, identity questions, or don’t know where to start.

• Coaches who are navigating athlete mental health, team dynamics, or their own stress and burnout.

• Parents of youth athletes who want to support their kids without adding to the pressure, and who need someone to talk to about their own experience of watching their kid struggle, succeed, or walk away.

If that's you, you're in the right place.

What working with me looks like:

I'm not going to make you sit in silence and "process your feelings" for 60 minutes. (Unless that's your thing—then we can do that.) Sessions with me are conversational. Direct. Practical. We'll talk about what's going on, figure out what's getting in the way, and build skills that actually help.

If you're an athlete, we'll work on:

• Managing performance anxiety and pre-competition nerves

• Building confidence that isn't tied to outcomes

• Working through mental blocks or training plateaus

• Navigating identity questions ("Who am I if I'm not an athlete?")

• Balancing sport with school, relationships, and life

• Finding motivation when you've lost your "why"

• Managing ADHD in sport and performance contexts

• Navigating athletic retirement and life transitions

• Processing trauma and relationship conflicts that impact performance

If you're a coach, we'll work on:

• Supporting athlete mental health without crossing boundaries

• Managing your own stress and avoiding burnout

• Building team culture and communication

• Navigating difficult conversations with athletes and parents

• Creating psychologically safe environments for your athletes

If you're a parent, we'll work on:

• Supporting your athlete without adding pressure

• Managing your own emotions around their performance

• Knowing when to step in and when to step back

• Navigating college recruiting, injury recovery, or retirement

• Understanding what your kid actually needs from you right now

Why I'm passionate about working with coaches and parents.

Because athletes don't exist in a vacuum.

The coach who knows how to create psychological safety can change an athlete's entire trajectory. The parent who learns to regulate their own anxiety can help their kid do the same.

I love working directly with coaches and parents because that's where systemic change happens. When the adults in an athlete's life have tools and support, everyone benefits.

I also offer coach consultations—virtual or in-person sessions where we talk through specific challenges you're facing with your team or individual athletes. Think of it as a sounding board with someone who loves to nerd out over coaching research and literature, and someone who knows what works.

Why I'm different.

I'm a guy who does this work. Sport psychology is a female-dominated field, which is great—but it also means there aren't a lot of male providers. If you're a guy who'd feel more comfortable working with another guy, I'm here for that.

I'm comfortable working with coaches and parents. A lot of sport psychologists only work with athletes. I think that's a missed opportunity. Coaches and parents need support too—and when they get it, athletes benefit.

I love workshops and public speaking. If you need someone to come in and work with a group, I'm your person. I actually enjoy that work, and I'm good at it.

I'm supervised by Dr. Erin Ayala. Every client I work with benefits from additional oversight and expertise. You're getting high-quality, evidence-based care at a more accessible rate.