Neal Palles, LCSW, CMPC
Mental Health + performance for Colorado Athletes
I’m a licensed psychotherapist and certified mental performance consultant specializing in work with endurance and mountain athletes in Colorado.
I help runners, rock climbers, mountaineers, and other high-performing adults (18+) whose minds feel like the limiting factor — including anxiety, burnout, ADHD, focus and consistency struggles, injury, confidence and self-doubt.
Many of the athletes I work with have ADHD or learning differences and are used to working harder just to stay focused and consistent. They are driven and capable, yet feel overwhelmed, scattered, or worn down by pressure, comparison, or repeated setbacks. Over time, this can lead to anxiety, burnout, self-doubt, and thoughts of quitting the things they once loved.
My approach is whole-person and strength-based. I offer psychotherapy and mental performance coaching as separate services, each designed to help athletes develop self-compassion, focus, and flexibility — so they can feel more grounded, present, and effective in training, competition, and daily life.
This work isn’t about pushing harder.
It’s about learning how to work with your mind.
Psychotherapy vs Mental Performance?
Two forms of support. One whole-person approach.
I offer psychotherapy and mental performance coaching as separate services. Both are grounded in a strength-based, whole-person philosophy — but they serve different purposes.
Not sure which is right for you?
That’s common. We can figure it out together.
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Psychotherapy is appropriate if you’re dealing with challenges that extend beyond performance and into your overall well-being.
You might benefit from psychotherapy if you’re experiencing:
Anxiety or panic
Burnout or emotional exhaustion
ADHD or learning differences
Depression or low mood
Injury-related distress or identity loss
Trauma or unresolved past experiences
Ongoing self-doubt or shame
Life transitions affecting sport or home
As a licensed psychotherapist, therapy provides a space to:
Understand patterns and emotional responses
Build long-term mental health skills
Develop self-compassion and flexibility
Reduce the impact of anxiety, burnout, or overwhelm
Psychotherapy isn’t about fixing you.
It’s about helping you relate differently to your thoughts, emotions, and experiences — so you can move forward with more steadiness and clarity. goes here -
Best fit if your primary goal is performance and execution.
Mental performance coaching is not therapy and does not involve diagnosing or treating mental health conditions. It’s focused, practical, and skill-based.
You might benefit from mental performance coaching if you want support with:
Focus and attention under pressure
Consistency in training or competition
Confidence and self-trust
Emotional regulation during performance
Pre-competition nerves
Returning to sport after injury
Performing in high-stakes or demanding environments
As a certified mental performance consultant, coaching focuses on:
Attention and focus skills
Performing despite nerves or doubt
Values-based decision making
Mental strategies for training and competition
Building consistency without burnout
Coaching is about helping you show up fully — even when conditions aren’t perfect.
While psychotherapy and mental performance coaching are separate services, they share the same foundation:
Whole-person perspective
Strength-based support
Emphasis on self-compassion
Focus on flexibility, not forcing
Respect for your nervous system and limits
Different tools.
Different goals.
Same respect for you as a person — not just an athlete.
Not sure which option fits?
You don’t need to decide before reaching out. During a free introductory call, we’ll talk through what you’re looking for and determine whether psychotherapy or mental performance coaching makes the most sense.
