Shailyn Waites, RSW, MSW, EMDR

SPORTS COUNSELLING

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WHY SPORTS COUNSELLING?Let's chat about sports counselling!

Sports counselling and WHY it is helpful for both athletes in sport and transitioning out of sport:

  • Are you struggling with a sense of identity loss as you transition out of your athletic career, unsure of who you are?
  • Are you struggling to maintain a healthy relationship with food?
  • Are you feeling lost in the gym? Or feeling like movement is not joyful for you anymore?
  • Have you been experiencing burnout, feeling exhausted from the demands of training and competition?
  • Are you facing performance anxiety, finding it difficult to perform under pressure?
  • Do you often compare yourself to other athletes, leading to feelings of never being good enough?
  • Are you experiencing symptoms of depression, feeling sad, hopeless, or disinterested in activities you once enjoyed?
  • Do you struggle with perfectionism, setting impossibly high standards for yourself and feeling devastated when you fall short?
  • Are you wanting a healthier relationship with yourself and your sport?

If you said yes to any of these questions, you’re not alone. I am a former university hockey athlete, so I truly do understand the challenges athletes face in sport and out of sport. I want you to know it’s okay to seek support. At The Solace Flow, our sports counselling services are here to provide you with the tools and support you need to overcome these obstacles and thrive.

We have to put the person before the student and the athlete, otherwise we run the risk of losing all three.
- Dr. Candice Williams
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Shailyn Waites Self Portrait
Sports Counselling

Hello! I am Shai

A therapist with a background as a former university women’s hockey athlete. I specialize working with athletes in sport and transitioning out of sport. I understand the pressures, the mental health challenges athletes face alone in silence due to the fear of being seen as “weak”, and how tough it can be when you lose that athletic identity. I have been there, and that is what drove my passion to specialize in working with athletes in a therapeutic setting.

My goal is to be your support in processing emotions and experiences, rediscovering who you are beyond your sport, and returning to movement in a healthy way. I also understand that sports aren’t always smooth sailing, so I’m here to help you work through any trauma you might have faced during your athletic journey. Let’s tackle this together and build a path to your personal growth and well-being.

Remember, you’re not alone in this. As the author of your own story, I am here to walk beside you, providing support as you share your narrative, pursue your goals, heal, and reveal the strength and resilience that already resides within you.

Sports counselling is for EVERY athlete!How I Help?

Whether you find yourself fully immersed in the competitive arena or navigating the difficult path post-sports, I understand the unique challenges you face – personally and professionally. My own journey as a university athlete for women’s hockey, has ignited a deep passion for dedicating my mental health services to working closely with athletes, whether they’re fully immersed in the sports world or navigating life after.

In counselling, we create a roadmap that is uniquely tailored to your experiences as an athlete. Together, let’s dive into the deep connection between your mind and body. We’ll weave in neuroscience, mindfulness, Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). It’s all about tapping into your unique strengths to not only boost your athletic performance or to navigate life post-sport, but also cultivate a healthier relationship with the most important person – you.

In sessions, we will focus on increasing confidence, process emotions, and discover effective ways to cope with them. Beyond the game, we’ll explore who you are, find joy in movement again and build a strong link between your mental well-being and your incredible physical abilities.

Identity Loss
Burnout
Rebuild Health
Anxiety
For Athletes in Sport...

In Sport Counselling

Unleash your full potential with in sport counselling – your secret weapon for optimizing peak athletic performance, processing emotions and experiences, increasing confidence, and conquering performance pressures.

For Retired Athletes...

Post Sport Counselling

Discover the transformative journey of post sport counselling for retired athletes. Navigate life’s transitions, process emotions, build resilience, explore who you are now and develop a new identity, and address any mental health challenges.

GET IN TOUCH

Schedule a free 15-minute Sports Counselling Session

Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if we’re a good fit.
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