Sports Performance Anxiety Therapy for Athletes in Dallas, TX
Expert Mental Performance Coaching for High School, College & Professional Athletes
Crushing it in practice but freezing in competition?
Peyton Sutton specializes in helping athletes overcome performance anxiety, perfectionism, and mental blocks—so you can perform at your best when it matters most.
Common Issues We Address
Evidence-Based Mental Performance Training
Train your mind like you train your body with proven sports psychology techniques:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for managing negative thought patterns
- Mindfulness & Visualization for pre-performance routines
- Mental Toughness Training for high-pressure situations
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) for values-driven performance
- Culturally Responsive Therapy for BIPOC athletes in predominantly white sports
- Performance Routines to build consistency and confidence
Flexible therapy options: In-office sessions, walk-and-talk therapy in Dallas parks, or on-site at your court, field, gym, or training facility.
Signs You Need Sports Performance Anxiety Treatment
Mental health struggles affect athletic performance. Here's how athletes describe performance anxiety, depression, and burnout:
Meet Peyton Stokes Sutton — Sports Performance Anxiety Specialist
Peyton Stokes Sutton (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in sports performance anxiety, athlete mental health, and culturally responsive therapy for BIPOC athletes, eldest daughters, immigrants, and bicultural individuals in Texas and Indiana.
Former collegiate athlete who competed in predominantly white sports. Peyton intimately understands the mental load of being "the only one," navigating microaggressions while trying to perform, and the emotional toll of code-switching in competitive environments.
Peyton's approach to sports psychology is direct, trauma-informed, and culturally grounded. She combines evidence-based therapeutic techniques with lived experience as a Black woman and former athlete. Her therapy isn't just about managing symptoms—it's about understanding how your identity, culture, and experiences shape your mental health and athletic performance.
Therapy modalities include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety and perfectionism, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for values-driven performance, mindfulness-based stress reduction, mental performance coaching, trauma-informed care, and culturally responsive therapy tailored specifically for BIPOC athletes and marginalized communities.
Athletes Peyton Works With
- High school competitors
- College athletes (NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA)
- Professional & Olympic hopefuls
- Retired athletes & career transitions
- BIPOC athletes in predominantly white sports
- Athletes recovering from injury
- Student-athletes balancing academics
- Coaches experiencing burnout
Specialized Areas of Focus
- Sports performance anxiety
- Pre-competition stress & mental blocks
- Perfectionism & fear of failure
- Anxiety & depression in athletes
- Athlete burnout & overtraining
- Imposter syndrome
- Identity beyond sports
- Racial stress & microaggressions
- Injury recovery mental health
- Life transitions & career changes
Therapy formats that work for athletes: Traditional in-office sessions, walk-and-talk therapy in Dallas/Fort Worth parks or Indianapolis trails, or on-site at your court, field, gym, or training facility. Peyton meets you where you feel most comfortable—because that's where the real work happens.
Serving Athletes & Clients In:
Texas: Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, Frisco, Arlington, McKinney, Richardson, Carrollton, Denton, Irving, Lewisville, Allen, and surrounding DFW Metroplex areas
Indiana: Statewide via telehealth
Mental Performance Consulting for Coaches in Dallas
Coaching isn't just X's and O's—it's managing team dynamics, supporting athlete mental health, navigating your own stress and burnout, and leading with cultural competence. Get the support you need to lead effectively and maintain your own well-being.
Individual Coach Consultation & Therapy
Work through coach burnout, imposter syndrome, work-life balance struggles, ethical dilemmas, and the emotional toll of coaching in high-pressure environments.
Team Building & Cohesion Activities
Facilitated team-building sessions designed to strengthen trust, improve communication, and build team cohesion—especially in diverse or high-conflict team environments.
Team Counseling & Conflict Resolution
Address toxic team dynamics, interpersonal conflicts, bullying, cliques, and hazing. Create a psychologically safe environment where every athlete feels valued and heard.
Mental Health Support for Athletes
Learn how to recognize signs of anxiety, depression, eating disorders, or trauma in your athletes—and how to respond with care, appropriate referrals, and support.
Culturally Responsive Coaching Training
Develop skills to support BIPOC athletes, navigate microaggressions, address racial stress, and foster an inclusive, equitable team culture where all athletes thrive.
Performance Under Pressure Strategies
Develop evidence-based strategies to help your athletes (and yourself) manage high-stakes moments, build mental toughness, and perform when it matters most.
Parent-Coach Communication Skills
Navigate difficult conversations with parents, set healthy boundaries, manage unrealistic expectations, and maintain positive relationships while prioritizing athlete well-being.
Leadership Development & Coaching Philosophy
Build your coaching philosophy, refine your leadership style, develop emotional intelligence, and cultivate the skills needed to inspire and support your team.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Connect with us today to schedule your FREE consultation session.
Contact Us