Colorado Psychotherapy & Sport Performance

Mental Health Therapy & Mental Performance Coaching for Runners & Mountain Athletes

Neal Palles, LCSW, CMPC

MA Applied Sport Psychology

As a runner and mountain sport athlete myself I know that reaching out for help isn’t the top ten things we like to do. Besides a stigma around mental health, we tend to be fiercely independent. (I know I am!)

We also have a propensity to be a little perfectionistic, so much so that the inner critic that drives us, also drains us. We can feel like our self-worth is on the line when we compete; we can also spiral into self-doubt and frustration when we experience failure and it’s also hard as heck to stay motivated without burning out as that self-critic drives the train.

Then there’s the anxiety piece. We want to handle uncertainty without being paralyzed by the ‘what-ifs’ or tormented by thoughts that gets us into the loop of overthinking. We want to trust ourselves and our training without second guessing everything….

…and injuries happen, and they have a way of waging war on our mindset. Those injuries have us fighting self-doubt, ‘what if’s’ and coping with the frustration of not being able to train, compete or feel part of team and community.

I’m here to help you navigate these challenges (and more) so you can get back on track and feel the relief of taming the inner critic, managing the self-doubt and calming the anxious mind so you can focus on what matters to you. You can find out more about here. And if you’re ready to get started reach out so we can schedule an introductory discovery call to see if we’re a good fit.

How I can Help:

Mental Health Therapy

Therapy helps athletes work through psychological challenges that impact both performance and overall well-being. I specifically work with clients who may be struggling with anxiety, perfectionism, people pleasing, injury related disruptions and grief and loss..

You might benefit from psychotherapy if you’re experiencing:

  • Feelings of hopelessness or loss of interest in things you once loved

  • Ongoing anxiety or depression affecting multiple areas of life

  •  Withdrawing from social situations or avoiding social situations

  • Struggling with daily tasks or maintaining routines

  • Noticeable changes in mood, sleep, or appetite

  • Persistent worry about injury or performance that disrupts daily life

mental Performance

Struggling with overthinking, self-doubt, or race-day nerves? Mental performance coaching helps you train your mind like you train your body—building mental skills that help you stay present, confident, and focused when it matters most.

Performance coaching might be for you if you want to:

  • Develop a pre-performance routine that actually works for you

  • Learn how to handle competition anxiety without letting it take over

  • Improve focus and avoid mental fatigue in training and racing

  • Build confidence that lasts—even when things don’t go as planned

  • Set goals in a way that keeps you motivated (without burnout)

  • Handle pressure so you can compete with clarity and trust yourself

Team Trainings & Courses

I offer mental skills trainings designed to the needs of your team. That may include:

  • Goal setting and motivation.

  • Building a cohesive team.

  • Building psychological flexibility and mental strength.

  • Self-talk and imagery

  • Strategies to build confidence.

I work collabortively with you, the coach, to design something that fits specifically for your program. Reach out now for a free-introductory call.

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