Young Athlete Program
Helping Young Athletes Thrive — On and Off the Field
For kids ages 8-12
Youth sports are asking more of kids than ever before. Elementary and middle school athletes are facing pressure at ages when they are still learning how to handle mistakes, nerves, expectations, and self-doubt.
Parents often notice their child becoming harder on themselves, more anxious before games, or less connected to the sport they once loved. Our program helps young athletes develop the tools to navigate pressure more confidently while supporting parents along the way.
Under the direction of Maddie Wood, M.Ed., Greenepsych’s Young Athlete Program supports athletes ages 8–12 in building confidence, resilience, emotional regulation, and focus in developmentally appropriate ways — allowing them to perform more freely while maintaining their love of the game.
How We Support Parents:
- Understanding pressure and expectations in youth sports
- Knowing when to encourage and when to step back
- Responding to confidence struggles and setbacks
- Navigating the car ride home
- Supporting motivation without adding pressure
- Navigating emotional reactions after games and performances
- Communicating in ways that build resilience
- Helping sports remain healthy and enjoyable
- Managing the demands of youth sports culture
We Teach Kids How to Manage:
- Pre-Game jitters
- Negative self-talk
- Anxiety/Anger concerns
- Being a good teammate
- Trouble resetting after a mistake
- Setting achievable goals
- Fear of making mistakes
- Under- or over-confidence
- Responding to successes & failures
Our Approach
We begin with a brief phone consultation to understand your child, what they’re experiencing, and what you’re hoping for as a parent. From there, we design a thoughtful, individualized plan and work one-on-one with your athlete, ensuring each session is tailored to their developmental stage and specific needs.
We partner closely with parents, providing guidance and practical tools so you feel confident in how to support your child between sessions. When appropriate, we collaborate with coaches and other performance professionals to ensure a consistent, aligned approach that prioritizes your child’s long-term growth—both in sport and beyond.
How We Deliver Care
Our athlete/performer mental health services are available both in person at our office and via telehealth. We offer flexible care options so you can receive the support you need, no matter where you are. Reach out to Maddie at Maddie@greenepsych.com or please fill out a contact form below to get started.
“Being a sports parent is one of the most emotional jobs you’ll ever have—because you care so deeply, but you can’t control the outcome.”
– John O’Sullivan, Changing the Game Project
“No one tells you how hard sports parenting really is”
– Mitchell Greene, Ph.D., Owner, Greenepsych Clinical & Sport Psychology